Must-See Movie: Boys' Night Out

Boys' Night Out (1962)
As far as classics go, this movie is not at the top of the list, but it does have James Garner in it. Garner is adorable as Fred Williams, a single guy who lives with his mother, and pools his money together with three of his other friends (all married) to share an apartment in the city. What's the point?  Not only can they each have their evening at the apartment away from their wives, but the lovely Kathy (Kim Novak) is staying in the apartment to be at the mens' beck and call. Now that's the ugh stupid part of the plot.  But what redeems the film is a few factors.  First of all, there's James Garner in the film.  'Nuff said there.

Hi, Lover...

Crushing on James Garner

The blog is back after a 3 1/2-year hiatus (!) and we are crushing - and mourning the loss of - our Jimmy Garner.  The actor died July 20, 2014 and we were sad to hear the news.  

We will miss you, but you will never be forgotten!  

Check out previous posts on James Garner.

James Garner appears on "What's My Line?"

Happy Birthday, James Garner!

He turns 82 years young today!

Monday's This & That

As I enjoy the nice Spring weather, let's take a peek at what's around the 'net.

HBO is casting for their mini-series Mildred Pierce, that will star Kate Winslet in the role that won Joan Crawford a Best Actress Oscar. HBO did really well with the 're-imagining' of Grey Gardens starring Jessica Lange and Drew Barrymore. Let's hope this one does Ms Crawford justice, as well. Not familiar with Mildred Pierce? See a (hilarious) dubbed over part of the film featured in a previous post.

And speaking of unnecessary remakes, Dermot Mulroney is in talks to star in a 'reboot' of The Rockford Files TV series, taking over James Garner's famous role. Also to star is Beau Bridges. House creator David Shore will be a part of the 70s remake, and Steve Carell will executive produce.

Apparently Disney is making their newest fairytale flick "less princessy." They've changed the title from the classic "Rapunzel" to Tangled in an attempt to attract more boys to theaters. We'll see if it works. Critics speculate that its animation will be the real test, as the film is being done using traditional hand-drawn style animation, and critics say the style is of something that this generation of kids may not be accustomed. A teaser trailer is appearing on The Princess and the Frog DVD for the Fall release, but you can see it here, as well.

And the role previously thought to be taken by Keira Knightley may now be going to Carey Mulligan. The role? In another remake, of course. This one being My Fair Lady. The role Mulligan is close to signing was originally perfected by Julie Andrews on stage and Audrey Hepburn on film.

Got any NEW ideas, Hollywood?

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.

Crushing on James Garner

(...but what else is new?)

Crushing on James Garner

...And his yummy soft yellow sweater that makes me just wanna hug 'im an' squeeze 'im and call him Jimmy.

The Real "Great Escape"

The movie "The Great Escape" that featured James Garner and Steve McQueen was based on the real escape of 76 men from the Nazi POW camp Stalag Luft III.

Nova has explored the legendary escape on a special microsite that features the articles:

Inside Tunnel "Harry"
A Prisoner's Sketchbook
The Three That Got Away (although 76 made it out of the camp, only 3 made it to freedom)
and History's Great Escapes

Enjoy, "Great Escape" fans!

Must-See Movie: Up Periscope

Up Periscope (1959)
James Garner stars as a U.S. Navy frogman in this tension-filled submarine flick set in 1942. Lt. Kenneth M. Braden (Garner) has just asked the woman he loves to marry him, and she runs off in tears.

That night, he is called to duty to be smuggled into a Japanese-held island by the submarine "Barracuda" to photograph radio codes. He must put his personal life aside and focus on the dangerous mission, risking the lives of all 80 men on the submarine.

This was one of Garner's first big-time movies while he was in his heyday as "Maverick," and the promo even billed him as James "Maverick" Garner. However, this was not like any character of Garner's people had seen. Yes, he was the all-American, stunningly handsome charmer, but he was mostly calculated, serious, out-spoken, and driven. There are little to no moments of quick wit and cleverness to his character; he is extremely straight-forward. He does get a pretty good scene with three beautiful wahines, but finds them "expendable;" his first and only love is the woman he left at home.

I also found the character of Commander Paul Stevenson intriguing, played by Edmund O'Brien. This man has his own demons to deal with, but he also has the great responsibility of being in charge of the submarine and all the men it contains. None of the men know why Garner's character is on the submarine except for the Commander and his first exec, so the seamen speculate as to the Commander's bravery in battle. Although the Commander knows that his men doubt him, he keeps moving forward with the plan, at the risk of his own reputation.

Just experiencing what the men of WWII had to give up for their country, what they had to endure, makes this film worthwhile. You feel the claustrophobia of the submarine, you see their loneliness and anguish, you share their longing to be home with their families. To be reminded of those men who risked their lives with courage and patriotism is reason enough to rent this movie.

James Garner News: Recovering

The latest news of James Garner's hospitalization, from ContactMusic:

Movie veteran James Garner is on the road to recovery after suffering a stroke last month. The 'Maverick' star was hospitalized in May after collapsing and undergoing surgery.

The National Enquirer reports the 80-year-old was kept in intensive care for three weeks, and only released on 30 May. Sources claim Garner is now regaining the power of speech, and making signs of recovery.

The insider tells the Enquirer, "He's pulling through, but he has a long recovery ahead of him. But he's improved steadily. Jim will definitely need intensive physical and speech therapy. Fortunately Jim's a fighter - and his wife Lois has been at his side."
His publicist confirmed to the tabloid, "His improvement is wonderful."

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.

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.

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....

Crushing on James Garner

Yes, that reads "To Sweepea. Best Wishes. James Garner"
*ahem*
Well...it should.

Crushing on James Garner

Must-See Movies: My Favorite Wife & Move Over Darling

For the first time in Lounge history (add pompous fanfare here) I'm endorsing two movies at once:

• My Favorite Wife (1940) with Irene Dunne and Cary Grant, and
• Move Over Darling (1963) with Doris Day and James Garner.

If you mention one movie, you have to mention the other, because the the 1963 flick is a remake of the 1940 film -- and both are excellent.

In both movies, Ellen Arden (Dunne and Day) arrives 7 years after being given up for dead in a shipwreck, to find her husband Nick (Grant and Garner) just remarried. Ellen decides to crash the honeymoon before the marriage can be consummated (ah, the 40's and 60's!) and to surprise her husband. But that's not even the half of it. Nick finds out that while Ellen was stranded on an island for 7 years, she was not alone. As Ricky Ricardo says, "She's got some 'splaining to do!"


I do tend to lean towards the 1963 version of this story for three reasons: 1) the comedy is higher with more pratfalls and slapstick, 2) the supporting roles played by Don Knotts (the shoe salesman), Edgar Buchanan (the judge), and Thelma Ritter (the mother-in-law), and 3) I could watch James Garner in any movie he makes.

Some interesting trivia: The 1963 film was originally titled "Something's Got to Give" and was to star Marilyn Monroe in the lead role. Monroe died before completion and so the movie was reshot entirely and released a year later than originally planned. Also just a year before, Day and Grant starred together in That Touch of Mink. I wonder if in between takes she asked his advice about doing the remake?