Lions, Tigers, Monkeys and Dogs

There were rumors that Garner and Lauren Bacall were romantically linked around the time of this episode's filming in 1979. Garner had separated from his wife, and Bacall guest starred on this episode of The Rockford Files. Garner denied the rumor and said it was the pressures of the show which led to the months-long separation from his longtime spouse. He soon got back together with his wife and remained with her permanently, though he did work with Bacall a year or two later in two movies. Ironically perhaps, in the second of those movies, The Fan (1981) they played ex spouses.

As Jim visits the princess for the first time, the large shadow of the moving boom mic is very apparent on the wall behind them.

The title is introduced in a staggered fashion. As patrons drive up to a restaurant's valet station, the word "Lions" appears when an elderly couple in a Rolls Royce drive up; then "Tigers" when a couple drive up in a Ferrari 308; then "Monkeys" when a wild costumed couple arrive in a modified Duesenberg convertible; and finally, "Dogs" when Rockford and his date appear in his gold Pontiac.

This special double-length episode (2 hours with commercials) was split in 2 parts for syndication. That version adds a "next on" sequence and closing credits both at the end of "part 1", and a "coming up" preview, opening credits, and a "previously on" sequence all at the beginning of "part 2".

Featured in The 32nd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (1980)