James Garner
was one of the last actors of the Silver Age of Hollywood American cinema.
He appeared in
many films in many films and TV features, such as : “The Great Escape” (1963 /
John Sturges with Steve McQueen, Sir Richard Attenborough…), “Grand Prix” (1966
/ John Frankenheimer with Yves Montand and Eva Marie Saint), “The
Americanization of Emily” (1964 / by Arthur Hiller with James Coburn and Julie
Andrews) “Duel at Diablo” (1966 / Ralph Nelson with Sidney Poitier), “Marlowe”
(1969 / Paul Bogart with Gayle Hunnicut, Rita Moreno and Bruce Lee) and ”The
Streets of Laredo” (1995 / Joseph Sargent with Sam Shepard and Sissy Spaceck).
For many
people, he will be remembered for his parts in notable movies : in “Victor,
Victoria” (1982 / Blake Edwards with Julie Andrews, Robert Preston and Lesley
Ann Warren) , “Twilight” (1998 / Robert Benton) with Paul Newman, Gene Hackman
and Susan Sarandon) and “Space Cowboys” (2000 / Clint Eastwood with Donald Sutherland,
Tommy Lee Jones) and “The Note Book” (2004 / Nick Cassavates with Gena
Rowlands, Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams).
Also, we will never
forget his very funny and sympathetic performance in the TV Series “Maverick” (1957
- 1960 / 1978 / 1981 - 1982) who made him so popular. He will perform once again
Bret Maverick (Sr) in the film adaptation of “Maverick” (1994 / Richard Donner) with Mel
Gibson, Jodie Foster and another legendary icon James Coburn.
For me, he will
remain the charismatic performer of the legendary character of the wild
American West History : Wyatt Earp in “Hour of the gun” (1966 / John Sturges / co-starring
Jason Robards and Robert Ryan). This movie has always been regarded more or
less as a sequel of “Gunfight at the OK Corral” (1957 / John Sturges). Later,
it will give the day two more significant movies “Tombstone” (1993 / George Pan
Cosmatos) and “Wyatt Earp” (1994 / Lawrence Kasdan). In 1988, Blake Edwards (“Wild
Rovers” / 1971) gave him the opportunity to play the legendary figure for the
second time in the very funny “Sunset” with Bruce Willis as Tom Mix.
James Garner
gave always very strong and fine performances and we will keep of him the memory
of a very kind and elegant man.
Rest In Peace
James / Bret.
