James Garner

James Garner is one of my all-time favorite actors and I am delighted that he has published a new book about his life, The Garner Files: A Memoir. Garner got his start in the theater playing a juror in “The Caine Mutiny” on Broadway, which gave him an invaluable lesson in focus and the best seat in the house to observe brilliant acting every night.  He specialized in playing laconic but honorable men and is best remembered for his television work: The Rockford Files and Maverick.  But I am a big fan of his movies, especially the two he did with Julie Andrews: Victor/Victoria and The Americanization of Emily and two he made with Doris Day: The Thrill of it All! and Move Over Darling (a remake of Cary Grant’s “My Favorite Wife”).  His pair of comic westerns, Support Your Local Gunfighter and Support Your Local Sheriff are a lot of fun.  He is an adept dramatic actor as well, in films like The Great Escape and The Notebook.  This new book is a great opportunity to revisit his performances.