“I don’t like to watch me on the screen. I don’t think I’m very good.” – James Garner
Most everybody else had a different opinion.
There was a purity about James Garner – as plain and pure as the driven rain.
People sensed it … and liked it.
Some Trivia:
Lost his mother when he was 5, and he & his two brothers were split up & sent off to live with relatives.He has two brothers, Jack Garner & Charlie Bumgarner. Jack died in 2011 and Charlie died in 1985.
Before he was an actor, he had 75 odd jobs including pumping gas to modeling men’s clothing.
Had both knees replaced.
Had quintuple heart bypass surgery.
Inducted into the Hall of Great Western Performers of the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in 1990.
Had helped organize Martin Luther King’s famous “March on Washington” civil rights demonstration, four years before going to Vietnam. (1963).
Leaving things a lot better than when he found it …
Western Heritage Awards
1996 Won Bronze Wrangler Television Feature Film / Streets of Laredo (1995)
Shared with: Suzanne De Passe (executive producer), Robert Halmi Jr. (executive producer), Larry McMurtry (executive producer), Diana Ossana (executive producer), Larry Levinson (producer), Joseph Sargent (director), Sissy Spacek (principal actor), Sam Sheppard (principal actor)
1986 Nominated Oscar Best Actor in a Leading Role / Murphy’s Romance (1985)
Screen Actors Guild Awards
2005 Won Life Achievement Award
2005 Nominated Actor Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role / The Notebook (2004) 1999 Nominated Actor Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a TV Movie or Miniseries / Legalese (1998) 1996 Nominated Actor Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a TV Movie or Miniseries / The Rockford Files: A Blessing in Disguise (1995) 1995 Nominated Actor Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a TV Movie or Miniseries / The Rockford Files: I Still Love L.A. (1994)
Golden Globes, USA
1995 Nominated Golden Globe Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV / Breathing Lessons (1994)
1994 Won Golden Globe Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV / Barbarians at the Gate (1993)
1991 WonGolden Globe Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV / Decoration Day (1990)
1987 Nominated Golden Globe Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV / Promise (1986) For playing “Bob Beuhler”.
1986 Nominated Golden Globe Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Comedy/Musical / Murphy’s Romance (1985)
1985 Nominated Golden Globe Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV / Heartsounds (1984)
1982 Nominated Golden Globe Best Performance by an Actor in a TV-Series – Comedy/Musical / Bret Maverick (1981)
1980 Nominated Golden Globe Best TV Actor – Drama / The Rockford Files (1974)
1979 Nominated Golden Globe Best TV Actor – Drama / The Rockford Files (1974)
1978 Nominated Golden Globe Best TV Actor – Drama / The Rockford Files (1974)
1964 Nominated Golden Globe Best Motion Picture Actor – Musical/Comedy / The Wheeler Dealers (1963)
1958 WonGolden Globe Most Promising Newcomer – Male Together with John Saxon and Patrick Wayne.
Primetime Emmy Awards
1994 Nominated Primetime Emmy
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Special / Breathing Lessons (1994)
1993 Nominated Primetime Emmy
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Special / Barbarians at the Gate (1993)
1991 Nominated Primetime Emmy
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Special / Decoration Day (1990)
1989 Nominated Primetime Emmy
Outstanding Drama / Comedy Special Hallmark Hall of Fame
Shared with: Peter K. Duchow (executive producer), Daniel Petrie (producer)
For episode “My Name Is Bill W. (#38.3)”.
1989 Nominated Primetime Emmy
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Special
Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951) For episode “My Name Is Bill W. (#38.3)”.
1987 WonPrimetime Emmy Outstanding Drama/Comedy Special Promise (1986) Shared with: Peter K. Duchow (executive producer),
Glenn Jordan (producer), Richard Friedenberg (co-producer) Nominated Primetime Emmy
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Special / Promise (1986)
For playing “Bob Beuhler”.
1985 Nominated Primetime Emmy
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or a Special / Heartsounds (1984)
1982 Nominated Primetime Emmy
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series / Bret Maverick (1981)
1980 Nominated Primetime Emmy
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series / The Rockford Files (1974)
1979 Nominated Primetime Emmy
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series / The Rockford Files (1974)
1978 Nominated Primetime Emmy
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series / The Rockford Files (1974)
1977 Won Primetime Emmy
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series / The Rockford Files (1974)
1976 Nominated Primetime Emmy
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series / The Rockford Files (1974)
1959 Nominated Primetime Emmy
Best Actor in a Leading Role (Continuing Character) in a Dramatic Series / Maverick (1957)
Bambi Awards
1999 WonHonorary Bambi Lifetime Achievement
1977 WonBambi TV Series International / The Rockford Files (1974)
Golden Apple Awards
1987 – Male Star of the Year / Promise (1986) – Shared with James Wood
In Streets of Laredo we see mainly3 standard rifles – plus a couple of oddities. There are others long guns, but their appearance is too brief to mention.
Firstly we have the Winchester 73′ rifle – ‘the rifle that won the West’? Combined with the Colt 45 pistol, these are backbone of many a Western Film and probably a good chunk of Old West history as well.
James Garner (Captain F. Woodrow Call) carries two rifles (not sure why .. but Why Not?): a Winchester 73′ and a 1860 Henry Rifle Brass Frame .45 LC.
Woodrow / Garner with his HenryGarner using the Henry – folding sight.
Ned Beatty (Judge Roy Bean) and his Winchester 73‘
Between drinking and hanging people the Judge shoots things.
George Carlin gets ready to demonstrate the ‘Yellow Boy‘.
Hang on to your ears.
The 2 Unusual Weapons
Smith and Cannon
Charles Martin Smith and Cannon? Sounds like a Law Firm. And he’s got the guns to back it up.
The first of the 2 unusual weapons that I spoke of, is the The Holland & Holland Paradox shotgun (well named).
“The Holland & Holland Paradox was an interesting design. It was a smoothbore until the end of the bores where there was rifling … The 8 and 10 gauge shotguns were considered to be the most effective against Elephant, Cape Buffalo ect, but lacked the accuracy and range of a rifle. The Paradox design was a compromise which offered improved performance from the smoothbore design … “
In other words, Charles Martin Smith is carrying an elephant gun. Sheesh.
This weapon eventually contributes to the demise of our main antagonist.
Thanks to my brother Richard for finding this information.
Don’t ask me what the pistols are though … he never pulled ’em.
Charles Martin Smith seems to have a fondness for shotguns:
Charles Martin Smith with shotgun in The Untouchables – 1987
That other weapon is claimed to be a Model 1889 Schmidt-Rubin rifle with Scope.
Model 1889 Schmidt-Rubin rifle – without scope
Apology: I lost my sources for this reference. I do recall the the individual who recognized this rifle said that this weapon did not exist in the era of Streets of Laredo. I would not be surprised as we find this quite often in Westerns (and other movies) where technology from the future is imported to the past. Most often nobody cares or notices, but some Gun and Western history fans/experts do take note.
The only thing I can say for sure it that if Joey Garza (Alexis Cruz) takes a liking to your gun, you better just give it to him. And run away. Fast.
Streets of Laredo contains most your standard Western gunfare: Yer Colt 45, Yer Winchester ’73, and Yer double barrel shotgun ….
But it also has 2 unique weapons – plus another that’s fairly uncommon.
I was not able to locate any resources that specifically itemized the Guns in Streets of Laredo. It took considerable detective work to discover the identity of at least 2 of the firearms. A Thank You goes to my brother Richard who identified the mysterious and unusual shotgun carried by Charles Martin Smith.
The Handguns:
Most of the main characters use handguns at some point Streets of Laredo – including Sissy Spacek and Sonja Baca.
The handgun of choice appears to be the famous Colt 45 – either long or short barrel.
Alexis Cruz
Sonja Baca
Ned Beatty
A Colt Refused
Near the beginning Episode 1 (of 3) of Streets of Laredo, James Garner (Captain Woodrow Call) is offered a pearl handled Colt by his employer – which he refuses – upon advice there may ‘strings attached’.
Uncommon Gun Number One
Randy Quaid, who plays the very surly John Wesley Hardin in Streets of Laredo, brandishes anickel plated handgun that looks almost too grand to be a ‘shootin’ iron’ of the Old West.
But there it is. This gun was not easy to for me to identify and I’m still not certain I have it right, but I’m going with a:
Smith & Wesson Schofield
Subsequent editions of a successful weapon design often remain or appear almost identical to the original – even over years of production – with only minor refinements. Or can be copied by other Manufacturers.
In other words, they aren’t easy to identify. So this is just a guess on my part.
Randy Quaid
Top Breaking handguns.
When you consider that the ‘top breaking’ feature (similar to double barrel shotgun) of this handgun appears to be make loading and unloading quicker and easier, you’d think they would have been more popular, but it seems the side loading style of the Colts was more common. I do not know who originally invented this design, but it was clearly used by other manufacturers as well – including Colt.
“Capt. Woodrow F. Call: I will not tolerate rude behaviour!”
Fortunately, Streets of Laredo is chock full of rude behaviour.
I selected this version of the very famous song The Streets of Laredo by Ed Bruce (http://www.edbrucemusic.com/) (writer of “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys” and “You’re the Best Break This Old Heart Ever Had“) because Bruce is a close friend and co-hort of James Garner. And I like it.
Larry McMurtry’s Streets of Laredo • Official Trailer • Miniseries
I have no problem understanding what people like about McMurtry’s writings: Lonesome Dove (1986 Pulitzer Prize winner) etc. of which Streets of Laredo is part of his enduring saga of Woodrow Call – and others – It’s the people in his stories. They are fully realized and believable. Real. And we like them and admire them. His people are honest, hard working, caring, loyal, honest … good people. Not perfect in any way – but good. They have standards and they have a code – and they stick by – and stick together. We come to care about them and relate quite a bit with them – I hope.McMurty’s stories are good too – filled with these interesting characters and his great knack for excellent dialogue. No problem finding quotes in his writing. Streets of Laredo is excellent.Streets of Laredo starts out with a coyote howling in the sunset and plaintive death march of the song Streets of Laredo … giving a sense of loss – that something is ending rather than beginning. And in the opening scene we see the no longer young Woodrow Call (Garner) preparing for a journey … his last quest ??
Posters
They don’t usually make many posters and such for TV events (tell that to Game of Thrones) so we often have to rely on DVD covers and the like for any promotional images. As such:
Notice anything about one of these DVD images?
It’s reversed. Yes. This is something that you encounter
very often on the internet – reversed images. Why? I don’t know.
It’s annoying. For one thing it’s dishonest. Secondly, sometimes
you can’t tell which is the honest/correct/original image. Why do people do this? It can’t be done accidentally.
It’s a head scratcher … ??
Reviews
I rate it an 8 out of ten“54%” !!??? – that’s insane.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010 – 12:00 am
” … a considerably better-than-average Western . . . even if it isn’t quite the same caliber as “Lonesome Dove.” It hooked me right from the beginning, and that’s worth something. Like the best mini-series, “Streets of Laredo” depends upon strong characters to make the difference, and they do.”
“Alexis Cruz does a fantastic job as the child killer, but so does Randy Quaid as John Wesley Hardin and Ned Beatty as the self-appointed law west of the Pecos, Judge Roy Bean. Even comedian George Carlin turns in a decent performance as grizzled carryover from “Lonesome Dove.” Bottom Line: As a stand-alone mini-series, “Streets of Laredo” merits a high 7 to a low 8 out of 10. As a sequel? It’s probably not going to satisfy anyone looking for consistency from film to film. But I think the first point trumps the second. Always.”
______________________________
If interested in finding Streets of Laredo you’ll have no problem– it’s freely available on YouTube – all 3 parts in blazing Hi Res that you can watch right on your computer – though I downloaded it and Rose and I enjoyed watching it on her big screen TV.
1996 Won Bronze Wrangler Television Feature Film / Streets of Laredo (1995)
Shared with: Suzanne De Passe (executive producer), Robert Halmi Jr. (executive producer), Larry McMurtry (executive producer), Diana Ossana (executive producer), Larry Levinson (producer), Joseph Sargent (director), Sissy Spacek (principal actor), Sam Sheppard (principal actor)
1986 Nominated Oscar Best Actor in a Leading Role / Murphy’s Romance (1985)
Screen Actors Guild Awards
2005 Won Life Achievement Award
2005 Nominated Actor Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role / The Notebook (2004) 1999 Nominated Actor Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a TV Movie or Miniseries / Legalese (1998) 1996 Nominated Actor Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a TV Movie or Miniseries / The Rockford Files: A Blessing in Disguise (1995) 1995 Nominated Actor Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a TV Movie or Miniseries / The Rockford Files: I Still Love L.A. (1994)
Golden Globes, USA
1995 Nominated Golden Globe Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV / Breathing Lessons (1994)
1994 Won Golden Globe Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV / Barbarians at the Gate (1993)
1991 WonGolden Globe Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV / Decoration Day (1990)
1987 Nominated Golden Globe Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV / Promise (1986) For playing “Bob Beuhler”.
1986 Nominated Golden Globe Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Comedy/Musical / Murphy’s Romance (1985)
1985 Nominated Golden Globe Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV / Heartsounds (1984)
1982 Nominated Golden Globe Best Performance by an Actor in a TV-Series – Comedy/Musical / Bret Maverick (1981)
1980 Nominated Golden Globe Best TV Actor – Drama / The Rockford Files (1974)
1979 Nominated Golden Globe Best TV Actor – Drama / The Rockford Files (1974)
1978 Nominated Golden Globe Best TV Actor – Drama / The Rockford Files (1974)
1964 Nominated Golden Globe Best Motion Picture Actor – Musical/Comedy / The Wheeler Dealers (1963)
1958 WonGolden Globe Most Promising Newcomer – Male Together with John Saxon and Patrick Wayne.
Primetime Emmy Awards
1994 Nominated Primetime Emmy
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Special / Breathing Lessons (1994)
1993 Nominated Primetime Emmy
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Special / Barbarians at the Gate (1993)
1991 Nominated Primetime Emmy
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Special / Decoration Day (1990)
1989 Nominated Primetime Emmy
Outstanding Drama / Comedy Special Hallmark Hall of Fame
Shared with: Peter K. Duchow (executive producer), Daniel Petrie (producer)
For episode “My Name Is Bill W. (#38.3)”.
1989 Nominated Primetime Emmy
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Special
Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951) For episode “My Name Is Bill W. (#38.3)”.
1987 WonPrimetime Emmy Outstanding Drama/Comedy Special Promise (1986) Shared with: Peter K. Duchow (executive producer),
Glenn Jordan (producer), Richard Friedenberg (co-producer) Nominated Primetime Emmy
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Special / Promise (1986)
For playing “Bob Beuhler”.
1985 Nominated Primetime Emmy
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or a Special / Heartsounds (1984)
1982 Nominated Primetime Emmy
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series / Bret Maverick (1981)
1980 Nominated Primetime Emmy
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series / The Rockford Files (1974)
1979 Nominated Primetime Emmy
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series / The Rockford Files (1974)
1978 Nominated Primetime Emmy
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series / The Rockford Files (1974)
1977 Won Primetime Emmy
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series / The Rockford Files (1974)
1976 Nominated Primetime Emmy
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series / The Rockford Files (1974)
1959 Nominated Primetime Emmy
Best Actor in a Leading Role (Continuing Character) in a Dramatic Series / Maverick (1957)
Bambi Awards
1999 WonHonorary Bambi Lifetime Achievement
1977 WonBambi TV Series International / The Rockford Files (1974)
Golden Apple Awards
1987 – Male Star of the Year / Promise (1986) – Shared with James Wood
Written by composers David Buttolph (music) and Paul Francis Webster (lyrics).
Sung by ? “a male chorus”.
Maverick Lyrics
(Go ahead … sing along)
Who is the tall, dark stranger there?
Maverick is the name.
Ridin’ the trail to who knows where,
Luck is his companion,
Gamblin’ is his game.
Smooth as the handle on a gun.
Maverick is the name.
Wild as the wind in Oregon,
Blowin’ up a canyon,
Easier to tame.
Riverboat, ring your bell,
Fare thee well, Annabel.
Luck is the lady that he loves the best.
Natchez to New Orleans
Livin on jacks and queens
Maverick is a legend of the west.
Riverboat, ring your bell,
Fare thee well, Annabel.
Luck is the lady that he loves the best.
Natchez to New Orleans
Livin on jacks and queens
Maverick is a legend of the west.
Maverick is a legend of the west.
(Natchez is in SW Mississippi)
Maverick TV Banner
“Nuthin’ up my sleeve … ”
Garner never needed to cheat.
JAMES GARNER – BRET MAVERICKJames Garner (Bret Maverick) and Jack Kelly (Bart Maverick)
In the first 7 episodes of Maverick, James Garner starred alone. Then Jack Kelly was brought in. The series employed an unusual format: Garmer and Kelly appeared alone in some episodes – then together. Kelly was good, but there was never any doubt who had the charisma: Garner was the Star. And when he left during Season 3, the series definitely declined in popularity.
From the Golden Age of the 50’s era, “MAVERICK” can be classified as one of the best Western TV series during this period. ABC network channel produced the whole 5 season of this show from 1957-1962 with very outstanding and definitely top-class episodes every week. James Garner playing as Bret Maverick really portrayed his role very well as the smooth and stylish man of the Western culture. I remember, many girls fantasize him for being so attractive and all men want to be like him. His character as Bret was so modish, calm with no pressure that has great sense of humor, a poker champion, and most of all physically strong. What’s more interesting in his character is, he chose to use his intelligence over his power. Most episodes show the funny side of James Garner that why the public viewers commended his role as Maverick with these unique qualities! Review posted on Monday, July 15th 2013 at 1:53 am
Photo of all the Warner Brothers Studio television western stars who had programs on ABC. From left: Will Hutchins (“Sugarfoot” Brewster-Sugarfoot), Peter Brown (Johnny McKay-Lawman), Jack Kelly (Bart Maverick-Maverick), Ty Hardin (Bronco Laine-Bronco), James Garner (Bret Maverick-Maverick), Wayde Preston (Christopher Colt-Colt .45), John Russell (Dan Troop-Lawman).
I thought it would be rather easy to throw something together for James Garner. Not so !! Just the Maverick stuff itself seemed like a small industry – with TV Series, spin-offs, Movies, Mini Series … etc.
Let’s get started:
Shoot-Out at Medicine Bend with Randolph Scott / 1957
Garner’s first Western. Pretty well any Western with Randolph Scott is either very watchable or Classic.
Scott and Garner ______________________________________________
Maverick / TV Show
“Who is the tall dark stranger there … ??”
Why it’s Maverick of course ! Most likely Bret Maverick (James Garner)
Mavericks: Bret (James Garner) and Bart (Jack Kelly)Maverick TV Show – Opening BannerJack Kelly, Beau Maverick (Roger Moore) and Garner
After Garner left the show during the 3rd Season …
It just wasn’t the same. Maverick – in Film and TV – went through a few permutations and convolutions over the years and will need to be covered in more depth later.
_________________________________________
Garner made a cameo appearance in the Bob Hope Western Comedy Alias Jesse James.
Couldn’t find any pics of James so I’m inserting Gloria Talbott instead. Yeah.
______________________________________________________
Was this a Western ? I believe I spot a car in there. Garner as legendary lawman Wyatt Earp (again) and Bruce Willis as legendary Western actor Tom Mix, but I’m not sure.
Maverick – the movie / 1994 Garner, Gibson and Jodie Foster and James Coburn and Graham Greene and others … Garner appears as the much rumoured “Pappy” … Gibson reprises Bret.
A fun movie – good cast
___________________________________________________________________
Then …
Streets of Laredo – 3 part mini-series … also a Great Cast:
Garner, Sissy Spacek, Sam Shepard, Ned Beatty, Randy Quaid,
Wes Studi, Charles Martin Smith … and Alexis Cruz does a good job as the villain.
______________________Shepard, Garner, Spacek_____________________
will cover this better – later.
Whew !!!
Upcoming:
Maverick: The TV Show Hour of the Gun Streets of Laredo
” I haven’t been to a movie since the Duke died.” – Murphy (James Garner) _________________________________________________________________________
Brother Bruce (I have 4 Brothers – one Sister) was asking about Murphy’s Romance – and though I have it posted as one of MY FAVORITES, I haven’t done anything with it. So I’ll take that as a nudge to get something done.
Murphy’s Romance is questionable as a Western I guess. Well it is in the West – Arizona. And it has James Garner. And cowboy hats and horses. It’s Western feel to be sure. Just not Old West. Nobody gets shot or hung …. or nuthin’. it’s just a damn good movie. One of the great ‘Feel Good’ movies of all time and one of my ‘guilty pleasures’ that I’ve watched many times. That also makes it a Classic by my definition – Western or not.
Cast:
James Garner
I’m billing James over Sally because James garnered a Best Actor Nomination (Academy Awards) for his role as Murphy Jones. He’s just great here.
Trivia says that Marlon Brando and Paul Newman were both considered for Garner’s part. Glad they didn’t get it.
James Garner – Nominated for Best Actor – 1985
But Sally gets top billing on all the posters and such. She’s great also.
Poster Tag: “Just when you think you found the right guy, someone even worse comes along”
Poster .. 3 versions
Sally Field
2 Oscars / 1979: Norma Rae / 1984: Places in the HeartThere’s no formula for magic
The Murphy’s Romance Trailer (below) is a bit Murky.
You’d never guess the movie was also nominated for Best Cinematography.
Was 1985 really that long ago?
Production / Wikipedia
Sally Field and director Martin Ritt had to fight Columbia Pictures in order to cast Garner, who was viewed at that point as primarily a television actor despite having enjoyed a flourishing film career in the 1960s (and more recently having co-starred in the box office hit Victor/Victoria opposite Julie Andrews two years earlier).
Columbia didn’t want to make the picture at all, because it had no “sex or violence” in it. But because of the success of Norma Rae (1979), with the same star (Field), director, and screenplay writing team (Harriet Frank, Jr. and Irving Ravetch), and with Field’s new production company (Fogwood Films) producing, Columbia agreed. But, Columbia then wanted Marlon Brando, or someone with “greater box-office allure,” to play the part of Murphy, so Field and Ritt had to insist on Garner.
Filming took place on location in Florence, Arizona and the town’s preserved Main Street appears throughout the movie.