Is the golden age of Westerns about to reopen?The Rap Sheet reports that James Garner is to publish his memoir.
The Garner Files
is due to hit shelves in November 2011.“I’ve avoided writing a book until now because I feel like I’m really pretty average, and I didn’t think anyone would care about my life. I’m still a little uncomfortable, but I finally agreed, because people I trust persuaded me people might be interested and because I realized it would allow me to acknowledge those who’ve helped me along the way. I talk about my childhood, try to clear up some misconceptions, and even settle a score or two,” Garner said in a press release.
Simon & Schuster’s publisher, Jonathan Karp, added, “This book is charming and disarming and always entertaining--just like James Garner, or Jim Rockford, or Bret Maverick. And it’s the story of a big American life, from growing up in Oklahoma during the Depression to the Korean War and to Hollywood stardom.”
8 comments:
Interesting to read this, when earlier today I came across a discussion of "dead" (or just currently unfashionable) genres that are being given a new lease of life thanks to ebooks, which can cater to niche markets and then expand to meet demand. Westerns were the most frequently mentioned.
I must admit that when I want to blob out in front of the TV, and look at the programmes -- reality shows, cooking shows, repetitive news channels -- I feel desperate for a good old western. When "Rawhide" or "Maverick" were going to be on that night, it used to give a bit of a buzz to the day, because I knew I was going to be entertained in the evening. That just doesn't happen any more.
I remember that Maverick was a lot of fun. Rawhide's a bit too far back for me - I'm not sure if TV had come to the rural Bay of Plenty by then.
Good, old-fashioned storytelling, and engaging characters. There's a lot to be said for it. :-)
Oh, Rawhide was marvellous! I saw it in Canada, in the 1960s, and became addicted. It was my introduction to Clint Eastwood, who went on to greater things, via spaghetti westerns. Which reminds me that we saw a very amusing movie called "Rango" last week -- which has ole Clint featured, looking as good as ever. He's the only human -- all the rest are desert animals. It is a very clever spoof of a Western, with animated animal characters. Maybe another sign of the revival of the Western genre???
I'll be lining up for a copy, if this eventuates. I love James Garner. He's a star. He is the epitome of droll in Maverick, Rockford etc. Support your local sheriff!
Definitely a star. Did you see the movie where Mel Gibson was Maverick's son? Even in his declining years, James Garner had no trouble upstaging Mad Max. It was called, simply, "Maverick," and was terrific fun, with a revival of that droll humor.
Yes, I saw it and I agree - an agreeable romp if a bit over long, and he had no trouble upstaging Mel and Jodie.
"Murphy's Romance" is another movie that Garner made in the 80's and he had no trouble upstaging everybody else, including Sally Field. A charming movie for which he received an Oscar nomination if I recall correctly.
PS: I love Westerns. I love Eastwood too. Josey wales is one of my favourite movies of all time. He's another star who effortlessly upstages everyone else, even in his declining (so-called!) years. Have you seen Gran Torino?. Talk about charisma!
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