Steve McQueen in "Wanted: Dead or Alive"

Steve McQueen is adorable in this clip from the episode "The Partners" from the 1958-1961 show "Wanted: Dead or Alive."

Tuesday's This 'n' That, Ya'll!

We're saddling up for a special edition of This & That! Today's post features our favorite King of Cool, Steve McQueen... Because of his recent birthday (March 24), there's a lot floating around on the internet about the actor.

...He is featured in these never-before-seen photos on the Life magazine website -- some racier than others (one almost NSFW). You also get a peek at his personal life with first wife Neile Adams. I can't imagine any celebrity today allowing such carte blanche.

...Check out the Steve McQueen Blog-a-thon featured at The Cooler...a great blog for movie info and trivia, especially centered around Steve McQueen.

...And don't forget to check out the post I put up yesterday on SorryIGotDrunk, about a bar inspired by McQueen's film Bullitt. Better yet, check it out daily (or two or three times a day), because, not only do I post there often, but the site just rocks!

Yee-haw!!

Happy Birthday, Steve McQueen!

Steve would have been 80 years old today!

Must-See Movie: Support Your Local Sheriff!

Support Your Local Sheriff! (1969)
Jason McCullough (James Garner) is allegedly "on his way to Australia" when he comes to the raucous town of Calendar to do a little mining. He discovers that he needs to get a job, as things are rapidly getting more and more expensive with the gold rush. He checks the HELP WANTED postings and sees the town needs a sheriff, and the town's mayor and council eagerly hire him.

Jason soon learns why the job came so easily, as a family of outlaws named Danby seem to run the town. While in the saloon, Jason witnesses Joe Danby (Bruce Dern) gunning a man down, and as his first duty as sheriff, hires a deputy (Jack Elam) and arrests Danby. He takes the gunman to a newly refurbished jail, only to see that the bars for the cells haven't been put in yet.

This is just one subplot of this great comedy. James Garner's portrayal as calm and confident Jason is very similar to his role as TV's "Maverick," and his coolness pairs well amidst the chaos and violence surrounding him. The supporting cast of Joan Hackett, Harry Morgan, Henry Jones, and Walter Brennan makes this a western unlike any other. But Bruce Dern's portrayal as whiny and spoiled (yet dim-witted) Joe Danby, makes this movie a classic.

They tried to recreate the magic again in 1971's "Support Your Local Gunfighter," using much of the same cast and the same director, but it just doesn't add up. Not to say that it isn't funny or great to watch. After all, it's still James Garner.

Worst Teaching Ever?

I never realized what horrible teaching is portrayed by Laura Ingalls (as played by Melissa Gilbert in the the 70's/80's series "Little House on the Prairie). But the clever commentary by Michael Weiss points out a huge list of negatives in Laura's flawed teaching strategy. Hilarious.

Classic Quote of the Day

John Wayne, from the movie "Alamo":

Crushing on James Garner (Still)

I haven't seen or heard any additional news about James Garner after his surgery, following his stroke.
Let's continue to send good thoughts his way!

Monday's This & That

While we try to beat the heat here in the Lounge with a little dip, take a look at what's going on...

The Rat Pack Ultimate Collectors Edition is now on sale at Amazon.com, and includes "Oceans 11," "Robin and the 7 Hoods," "4 for Texas," and "Sergeants 3."

And it's been 45 years since the fantastic war adventure "The Great Escape" was released. Steve McQueen heads up an all-star cast that includes James Garner, Charles Bronson, James Coburn, and many others. Watch it on AMC this Sunday. Check local listings for time. (Tonight on AMC is "The Magnificent Seven," also with McQueen, Coburn, and Bronson. Check AMC's website to see what time in your area!)

And I saw "Iron Man" over the weekend. Loved it! It's the perfect summer blockbuster movie. Good to see Robert Downey, Jr. back in action. Can't wait for the sequels.

Mature or Cowardly?

We're rounding up what's turned out to be a week of western appreciation, and more importantly James Garner appreciation. (Apparently he's doing well after his surgery. But we're keeping him in our prayers!)

In this clip from "Support Your Local Sheriff," James Garner reveals to Joan Hackett how he plans on dealing with bad guys heading in to town.

Westworld: Yul Brynner Showdown

Continuing on our westerns kick, here's a clip from the 1973 film "Westworld." James Brolin and Richard Benjamin star as two men who go to a fantasy camp-style resort and spend $1,000 a day to be gunslingers in the old west. Enter Yul Brynner, who is the resident badass. And a robot that just won't die.
And when things take a strange turn...

Get Well Soon, James Garner

This just in: 80-year-old James Garner hospitalized, has surgery after stroke

James Garner's publicist says the veteran TV and film star has been hospitalized in Los Angeles after suffering a minor stroke at his home last week.

Publicist Jennifer Allen said Tuesday that the star of "Maverick" and "The Rockford Files" was hospitalized Friday. Allen says Garner is doing well and will be going home soon.

Garner, who turned 80 last month, rose to prominence in the 1950s as "Maverick," a wry riverboat gambler who, unlike his TV contemporaries, would often run rather than fight.

Today his publicist said he underwent surgery on Sunday after suffering the stroke.

...His prognosis following the operation was described as "very positive," Allen said, adding that his vital signs were good, and he was expected to be discharged from the hospital soon.

Allen said she had no other details about the circumstances of Garner's stroke or his condition.

Get well, Jimmy! We love you.

Mudscene from "McLintock!"

Still on the 60's western kick, here's the best scene from the movie "McLintock!" (1963), a huge fight that starts off with John Wayne's "the hell I will!"The movie also stars Maureen O'Hara.

A Jail Without Bars

Okay, I know I'm obsessed. But if this clip from "Support Your Local Sheriff" doesn't make you love this movie, then I don't know what will! Bruce Dern makes the perfect foil to James Garner's sly sheriff, and Jack Elam is the classic deputy sidekick.P.S. Have I mentioned that James Garner is HOT??

Well, he is.

Crushing on James Garner

Just watched "Support Your Local Sheriff" for the millionth time last night. Yummmm....

Must-See Movie: Cat Ballou

Cat Ballou (1965)
Nat "King" Cole and Stubby Kaye provide a Greek chorus-style narrative in this tongue-in-cheek Western parody that's become a classic in its own right.

Jane Fonda, at the height of her sex-kitten days, plays the title character, who's father has been murdered by a gunslinger with no nose (played by Lee Marvin). Seeking revenge on the railroad development company that hired the hit, Cat -- once a schoolmarm -- becomes an outlaw and creates havoc in a crime spree. She puts together a ragtag gang of misfit men, including former Western legend-now-drunk Kid Shelleen (also played by Marvin), to prevent her father's ranch from falling into the wrong hands.

This Oscar-winning comedy has it all, served with a heavy hand of irreverence for both the genre and the decade. When I was a little girl I saw this movie, and ever since then I've wanted to be a gun-slinging, sexy bandit with golden locks, leading a gang of men all fighting for my affection.

Set your Moxies! TCM is showing Cat Ballou on August 23rd at 11:15 AM EST! (Check your local schedule.) They've also been kind enough to provide free desktop wallpaper for your enjoyment! Yee-haw!

Classic Quote of the Day

"When a horse learns to buy martinis, I'll learn to like horses."

-- Steve McQueen

The Cincinnati Kid with Steve McQueen

I miss you, Steve McQueen

*Sniff*



Of course, some speculate that smoking may not be the only cause. The guy wore an asbestos suit when racing cars.

Wanted: Steve McQueen

Voulez vous... It's Steve McQueen in the opening of "Wanted: Dead or Alive"...in French.

Must-See Movie: The Magnificent Seven

The Magnificent Seven (1960)
I've been holding back on presenting this review, because this is my absolute, number one, ultimate favorite movie of all time. Not only does it star Steve McQueen, but the film is chock-full of more tough guys of the time period: Yul Brynner, Charles Bronson, Robert Vaughn, James Coburn, and Eli Wallach. And they're all presented with the score that has been acclaimed as one of the finest in the industry, composed by Elmer Bernstein.

The premise is simple: A small town in Mexico is being bullied by a group of banderos, led by Calvera (Wallach), and the villagers hire seven gunman (led by Yul Brynner) to help them fight back. Sound familiar? Maybe because this movie has been parodied by many other movies: Three Amigos and A Bug's Life to name two.

And although this is a remake itself of the Akira Kurosawa film Seven Samurai [Shichinin no samurai (1954)], it is the quintessential western movie. It has everything: gunfights, a little bit of wit and comedy, heroism, amazing knife-throwing, fabulous horse riding stunts, key dramatic moments, a small romantic subplot...and did I mention Steve McQueen?