Sunday, July 20, 2014

James Garner Gone




As women of a certain age, we have our favorite actors and a number of them are passing; one of mine was James Garner.  He was handsome, witty and an excellent character and lead actor.  He was so nuanced I think his performances were under appreciated at times.  He played romantic leads (Murphy's Romance, The Americanization of Emily, The Notebook), con men (The Great Escape, The Americanization of Emily), a hapless husband (The Thrill of It All, Move Over Darling) a hapless gangster (Victor, Victoria), comedy (Support Your Local Sheriff, his Doris Day films and more), race car driver (Grand Prix), all his western roles which began with the TV show "Maverick" and, for me, his most endearing turn as the reluctant private eye in "The Rockford Files".  



There will be many accolades and remembrances.  Here's a brief encapsulation of his career.  The second to the last paragraph mentions his 12,000 sq ft home in northern Santa Barbara County. One of my friends was the builder.  From what I understand, it's one heck of a homestead.  But, of course, he was one heck of a man.

Clip from "Support Your Local Sheriff", a very funny film.



Siskel & Ebert's review of "Murphy's Romance".  The visual resolution on YouTube is fuzzy but their review is spot on; a terrific, funny and very romantic film.




"The Americanization of Emily" was Garner's favorite film.





RIP James Garner


Share/Bookmark

13 comments:

DJan said...

Blue skies, wonderful James Garner. Thanks for all this, I loved it. :-)

injaynesworld said...

Aww... :( I loved every single movie and TV show he ever made. What a guy. Very sad.

California Girl said...

DJan: a likable actor & so darn cute!

California Girl said...

jayne, did you ever work with him? his ranch is near you...Santa Ynez. They probably sold it as the article I included (in a link) said they returned to LA because he kept working.

The Silver Fox said...

He'll be sorely missed. He always seemed to be enjoying himself in his lighter roles, and I think he was somewhat underrated as a serious actor.

Bill Lisleman said...

I thought he was a cool cowboy in Maverick.

California Girl said...

Foxy, he had a long career didn't he?

California Girl said...

Bill, I was a little kid when "Maverick" was on TV but I remember it well. I liked both brothers, Bart & Bret. They were rascals. He played a great rascal. Should have used that adjective in my post.

Pat Tillett said...

So sad...
He was always one of my favorites. Such a great personality. Nice tribute.

Alan Burnett said...

Always one of my favourite actors. There was something about that smile.

California Girl said...

Pat, I tried watching "The Thrill of It All" with Garner & Doris Day last night. It was so saccharine I couldn't get through it even though my memory of it was that it was funny. I was probably 14 when it came out & I always loved him. However, it's a product of its time. I did realize one thing watchinig it, Sally Field learned everything she knows in the way of expressions, how she tilts her head, and expressed exasperation from Doris Day.

California Girl said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
California Girl said...

Alan, he did have a terrific smile...and such nice teeth!

Christina

Christina
by Cole Scott