This being April and all, some Spring-strangeness seems to be at work around me (or maybe it's just my allergies). One of my all-time favorite stars is James Garner, and I've been thinking of him as of late. I firmly believe he's been one of the most underrated (though well known) TV and film actors. Like many my age, my first introduction to the man came as a kid via his starring role in the Maverick TV series. IMO, Garner has been such a versatile performer over the decades that he's been taken for granted in many of his roles (and forgotten somewhat for his earlier work). His acting chops allowed him to appear in all sorts of westerns, war films, private detective TV/movies, comedies, and dramas. You name it, he's done it. Just about all of his work has been so consistently top notch (even if the some of the movies were not). He played the only character I know of who figured a way to dispose of Bruce Lee in a film. His performances in whatever TV show or movie always seems to be accomplished with such relaxed ease, too (though, it's well known that this Oklahoma born actor has been one of the hardest working people in Hollywood). If I catch one of his films on cable, I'll stop whatever I'm doing and watch. If a repeat of an old Rockford Files episode shows up on syndicated TV, I've got to see which one it is and squeeze some time with the vaunted character he crafted (and I'll go on record to say it is the height of arrogance by a studio to think Dermot Mulroney can fill Garner's shoes in a new Rockford Files series).The rest of this post has been updated and moved over to my current blog, found here.
I don't think I've ever even heard of this film. I like Garner's romantic comedies, his westerns, his Rockford, yeah, I pretty much just like Garner. I'll watch for this one.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the RT, Brent!
ReplyDeleteI meant to spell it correctly, though, Brett ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks very much for the FriendFeed.
ReplyDeleteMany of Garner's romantic comedies are on disc (and I have a good many of them in my library), but not this gem (sadly). Garner and Ms. Mercouri made for quite team in this film (why I remember it so). If you ever catch it, I think it will be worth your while. Thanks very much for your comment.
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ReplyDeleteI'm another that's never heard of this film. Always enjoy James Garner's work - not to mention that he looked particularly dashing and yummy in uniform in The Great Escape. Other than Rockford Files (I hadn't heard about the remake. I like Dermot Mulroney, but I don't know about this.), the roles that I recall that I loved were in Murphy's Romance and The Notebook (omigosh, he ripped my heart out in that one.) Oh, and in Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood.
ReplyDeleteYou bring up a great film and performance with The Great Escape, Christine. His Hendley, "The Scrounger", I really enjoyed and most related to in that fine cast. <span>Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood </span><span>is latest one I have to catch. I really hope some studio releases this caper film. It really is a lot of fun. Thanks, Christine.</span>
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen this film in years; I remember catching a TV broadcast back when such movies actually got screened occasionally. I'd love to see it again though, partly because my girlfriend is Greek and idolises Melina. I have a hunch that if it were to show up on DVD then region 2 is might be most likely, we'll see.
ReplyDeleteAs for Garner, I have the greatest respect for the man. Like you say, he was and is highly versatile and blended into so many roles across a wide variety of genres. Another of his films that I'm very fond of, and which rarely gets mentioned, is 36 Hours - a great wartime suspense picture with a fascinating premise.
Oh, you mentioned another great one of Garner's in 36 Hours, Colin. A couple years back, I picked up the Region 1 that was released in 2007 and my wife and I spent a wonderful evening watching it. Like you say, it had a fascinating premise. Eva Marie Saint and Rod Taylor also rounded out the first rate leads among its cast.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear you've seen AMCGK. If it does get released as an R2, please let me know, my friend. I'd love to order a copy. Thanks very much for you comment, Colin.
Have to laugh, just yesterday morn in our hotel room I was looking for the weather report and came across "Support your Local Sheriff". Had to tear myself away, promised to order it on NFlix, which thanks to you I just did, along with some other Garner gems. Once again you've hit the nail on the head (with drive!) One of my favs "Streets of Laredo" very low key western. Good Stuff! Thanks
ReplyDeleteWhen I first heard that James Garner would do Capt. Woodrow Call from the Lonesome Dove series, I wondered if he could pull it off since Tommy Lee Jones was so synonymous with the role in the original miniseries. Jon Voight sure didn't (IMO) in that ill-concieved sequel Return to Lonesome Dove. I shouldn't have doubted Garner, though. He more than pulled it off. Streets of Laredo is a great one (and underrated in that western series). Thanks, Herb, for your kind words and comment.
ReplyDeleteI have no idea why with all the "archive
ReplyDeletecollections" there can't be a well deserved dvd version of this film "A Man
Could Get Killed" with "James Garner" and
Sandra Dee." I just looked over at "Amazon"
to find nothing. Isn't any studio going to
do anything about this. I refuse to risk
buying some "collector's edition." Very sad as I remember seeing it as a teenager. Larry
Yes, with the number and success of the MOD programs out there it's more than surprising no one has jumped on this one. Still, it's great to hear someone remembers this film with fondness. Let's keep our fingers crossed that this will be rectified, and soon. Thanks for the comment, Larry.
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