James Garner: Classic or UltraMegaSuperClassic

If you've read any of the in-depth obits, it's fascinating that the advice that Garner credited with unlocking the secret of acting for him came from... Charles Laughton! (While 'Jim Bumgarner' was sitting onstage as a juror in this production, during which liberal hero Henry Fonda snapped at Laughton's direction and called him a "fat little faggot.")

http://ibdb.com/production.php?id=2435

Watched Support Your Local Sheriff! last night, which was likely my first exposure to Garner when it was re-released around '73. At least as many parody LOLs as Blazing Saddles for me; v goofy slapsticky perf by the died-too-soon Joan Hackett, and quality support by Harry Morgan ("Puberty hit her hard"), Bruce Dern, Walter Brennan, Kathleen Freeman et al. "I'm on my way to Australia..."

The Mel Gibson Maverick movie is ripe for reappraisal

nooooooooo

did you ever see "Marlowe"? that's one of the nastiest American movies of its era.

just a few weeks ago! trailer has major Rita Moreno spoiler too.

did you ever see "Marlowe"? that's one of the nastiest American movies of its era.

watched this a few weeks back too, after seeing it mentioned in LA Plays Itself. Can't tell if Garner's ineffable charisma helps or hinders its essential nastiness.

directed by Paul Bogart, who later did Skin Game w/ Garner and Lou Gossett, then directed a bunch of "All in the Family" eps.

i’m 3 seasons into Rockford Files, and just started Maverick

why is Jim Garner the absolute best?

i am all-in on James Garner

finished his memoirs “The Garner Files”
v enjoyable. Definitely a quick read, a lot of fun stories but nothing super deep or revealing (as expected, he seemed like a straight arrow). Nice little section in the back with anecdotes from friends & family, his wife Lois seemed like fun; and a section where he reviews his movies & tv shows w star ratings etc.He doesnt beat around the bush, some he’s like “this stunk, i did it for the money” and one he was like “i dont even remember this movie” lol

Also watched “Murphys Romance” tonighg for the first time and loved it. such a chill, low-key romance. Garner sure has some that same Paul Newman magic juice, just handsome & charming in every decade, my god.

It’s a known goddamn fact the prestige of any auto race increases tenfold when James Garner drives the pace car. pic.twitter.com/Mlkwnhk8EZ

— Super 70s Sports (@Super70sSports) October 13, 2022

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dp0Nd8LWsAEcgp2?format=jpg&name=small

YouTube user Cosmic Iguana has been posting full episodes of Garner's 1971 series Nichols. Co-starring Margot Kidder and Stuart Margolin. It's set in the early 1900s so it's kind of a western but there's also motorcycles. There's a little of Maverick and a lot of how Garner becomes Rockford. Cool show. Kidder is great.

Here's the pilot, I think Iguana is up to episode 19 of the one and only season

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8dZRM5Tj5o