RIP James Garner

[Charlie_Wayne]

I recall an interview with him in which he said that his favorite movie on which he worked was The Americanization of Emily.

I never appreciated that film before. But I will try to give it another look now.

I have no qualms about admitting that I truly loved that man and all his work. I never saw anything he did that I didn’t like.

If there is any kind of God, He will have taken Jimmy up into Heaven.

May God bless him and keep him always.

[Elendil_s_Heir]

CNN.com has a nice profile: http://www.cnn.com/2014/07/20/showbiz/james-garner-death/index.html?hpt=hp_t3

@Charlie_Wayne

…Lots of people took advantage of him during his lifetime…

Really? Who?

@Trinopus

I was a fan of First Monday, the very short-lived series where he was the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

It worked! I thought it was a darn fine show. He had the gravitas for the role.

Nitpick: it’s “Chief Justice of the United States.” But yes, he was good in that part.

Rest in peace, Mr. Garner. You were one of the best.

[ThelmaLou]

Anyone remember the series of Polaroid commercials he did with Mariette Hartley? They were a cute and charming couple. There are links to the other ones on that YouTube page.

[Leaffan]

@BrotherCadfael

… Even those Polaroid ads with Mariette Hartley, where they had such chemistry that everyone assumed they were married, even years afterwards.

@SlackerInc

…He was also memorably good in Victor/Victoria; and given also how well he came across in those Polaroid commercials, it’s surprising he didn’t do more leading man roles in romance type films.

@Tom_Tildrum

I remember him fondly from all those Polaroid commercials. He and Mariette Hartley just seemed like such warm and pleasant people to hang out with.

@ThelmaLou

Anyone remember the series of Polaroid commercials he did with Mariette Hartley? They were a cute and charming couple. There are links to the other ones on that YouTube page.

Yeah. I’m pretty sure we remember.

[carnivorousplant]

@Leaffan

Yeah. I’m pretty sure we remember.

“I am not James Garner’s child.”

[Absinthe_Anecdote]

@Baron_Greenback

I demand the thread be retitled James Garner: History’s Greatest Monster

That’s a bit extreme, but the guy was quick to go to fisticuffs and was known to be a bully in Hollywood circles.

He was a normal guy, with normal problems, it doesn’t make him a monster.

However, he certainly wasn’t a saint either. Just because he made a string of sappy Polaroid commercials with some red haired chippy doesn’t mean a damn thing.

It is called acting! That wasn’t his real personality you were seeing. Do you realize how many times that the director yelled cut, and that they did those commercials over and over to get them just right?

All the hell he was doing was trying sell those shitty 1970s cameras for Kodak.

Sorry to trample on fond memories of Jimmy. I’m sure The Lord has him near his side in Heaven, and blaa blaa blaa.

And if he were here today, he would probably buy me a beer for setting you all straight, James Garner style.

[Leaffan]

@Absinthe_Anecdote

That’s a bit extreme, but the guy was quick to go to fisticuffs and was known to be a bully in Hollywood circles.
…

Can you please provide a cite for that? 'Cause every news story I’ve read paints Mr. Garner as a genuine gentleman and all around nice guy.

[Bridget_Burke]

@Absinthe_Anecdote

That’s a bit extreme, but the guy was quick to go to fisticuffs and was known to be a bully in Hollywood circles…

Garner was hardly a wimp but I don’t travel in those “Hollywood circles.” I doubt you do, either.

(I guess absinthe really does have unfortunate side effects.)

[Tangent]

@Absinthe_Anecdote

And if he were here today, he would probably buy me a beer for setting you all straight

No, he’d probably punch you in the mouth.

[Absinthe_Anecdote]

@Leaffan

Can you please provide a cite for that? 'Cause every news story I’ve read paints Mr. Garner as a genuine gentleman and all around nice guy.

Garner’s particular ethics of violence may make him less of a bully than some of the bullies he criticizes (including Frankenheimer), but he strikes me as a bully nonetheless, a hothead who cultivated his temper and unloaded on people whenever he knew he could get away with it. Is a wealthy, powerful, and well-liked movie star ever likely to find himself in situations where he has to hit someone? Was socking Tony Franciosa really an act of standing up for defenseless stuntmen (note the oxymoronic aspect of that phrase) – many of whom probably later found themselves on sets where Franciosa had the power to fire them and Garner wasn’t around to intercede – or was it just an ostentatious display of machismo? I still love the television James Garner, the pragmatic, risk-averse “reluctant hero” (Garner’s own term) who made Maverick and Rockford so distinctive and down-to-earth and compulsively watchable. But after reading his book, I wonder whether I would like the real James Garner.

James Garner's autobiography

[Kenm]

@Absinthe_Anecdote

All the hell he was doing was trying sell those shitty 1970s cameras for Kodak.

The only connection Kodak had with Polaroid was paying out zillions when Polaroid sued the bastards.

[Absinthe_Anecdote]

@Tangent

No, he’d probably punch you in the mouth.

Maybe, by his own admission he had a reputation of “decking” people.

[Absinthe_Anecdote]

@Kenm

The only connection Kodak had with Polaroid was paying out zillions when Polaroid sued the bastards.

Oops!

Thanks, I get obsolete brands of cameras mixed up sometimes, despite how charming and heartwarming the the pitchmen were.

[Labrador_Deceiver]

@Absinthe_Anecdote

Garner’s particular ethics of violence may make him less of a bully than some of the bullies he criticizes (including Frankenheimer), but he strikes me as a bully nonetheless, a hothead who cultivated his temper and unloaded on people whenever he knew he could get away with it. Is a wealthy, powerful, and well-liked movie star ever likely to find himself in situations where he has to hit someone? Was socking Tony Franciosa really an act of standing up for defenseless stuntmen (note the oxymoronic aspect of that phrase) – many of whom probably later found themselves on sets where Franciosa had the power to fire them and Garner wasn’t around to intercede – or was it just an ostentatious display of machismo? I still love the television James Garner, the pragmatic, risk-averse “reluctant hero” (Garner’s own term) who made Maverick and Rockford so distinctive and down-to-earth and compulsively watchable. But after reading his book, I wonder whether I would like the real James Garner.

Ed Gorman's blog: James Garner's autobiography

Ed Gorman? THE Ed Gorman?!? Wow, you really found yourself one hell of a Hollywood insider, there.

:rolleyes:

[blondebear]

Just saw an article about an-almost fight Garner had with a city council member over a proposed development in the Santa Monica Mountains. The two men were in each other’s face and had to be separated by police. As I opined in my earlier post, Garner was a man who stood up for what he believed in. From the article:

“Witnesses said the actor, raising his voice, moved toward Rundberg and accused him of … being personally interested in ‘certain developments’ in the mountain area.

The councilman whirled in his chair.“‘You’re a liar,’ he shouted, his face blanching. ‘I will not be intimidated.’

“Stepping still closer, Garner said, ‘I am not a liar and I am bigger than you.’

“‘In height, weight or stature?’ the 65-year-old, 6-foot councilman retorted, leaping from his chair.

“Garner, the words tumbling out, said, ‘Remember, we are the people.’

“‘You’re an actor,’ Rundberg shouted.”

That year, Garner, along with McQueen and Burt Lancaster, became founding members of the Friends of the Santa Monica Mountains conservancy group, according to the book “Transforming California” by Stephanie S. Pincetl. The group played a key role in the 1978 creation of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, which at 153,075 acres is the world’s largest urban national park.

Rundberg didn’t fare as well. He lost a bid for reelection the year after he tangled with Garner, and he was then appointed to the Harbor Commission. In a harbor scandal, he was convicted in 1968 of accepting furniture from a developer in exchange for a city lease valued at $12 million and was barred from ever again holding public office in California.

[Absinthe_Anecdote]

I’m a little baffled why people find it hard to believe that he had flaws. That he might have bullied people, or been a raging type-A personality who turned into a grouchy old man.

He was an actor, Rockford and Maverick were charming roles he played.

There are legions of Elvis fans who insist he didn’t do drugs, and there are entire armies of Michael Jackson fans that claim he wasn’t string out on drugs and molesting little boys.

I guess in comparison to those two, James Garner wasn’t that bad.

Sorry for interrupting your fantasies of a dashing leading man, and beloved Polaroid pitchman.

Carry on.

[Marley23]

@Absinthe_Anecdote

I’m a little baffled why people find it hard to believe that he had flaws. That he might have bullied people, or been a raging type-A personality who turned into a grouchy old man.

Because you kept going on about it while failing to credibly substantiate the idea and now you’re being a jerk. Quit threadshitting or you’ll start getting warnings.

[spifflog]

Loved him in the Americanization of Emily. He and Julie Andrews were great together.

I have to echo what has been said before. I’m hard pressed to remember seeing him in anything I don’t like.

One of the very few actors I’d post about in a thread such as this.

Thanks for all the pleasure you’ve given me and RIP.

[carnivorousplant]

@spifflog

I’m hard pressed to remember seeing him in anything I don’t like.

My old Pappy used to say that!

[BMalion]

Dang. Left a great body of work, thanks!