Month: August 2023

Written by James Garner & Jon Winokur

SUMMARY:

First released as a hardcover in 2011 by Simon & Shuster, actor/producer (and self-described curmudgeon) James Garner co-wrote his 273-page memoir with professional scribe Jon Winokur. The book was published three years before Garner’s death in 2014 at the age of 86. 

Recounting his life’s journey, Garner (birth name: James Scott Bumgarner) starts with his turbulent youth growing up in Depression-era Oklahoma.  Though later chapters diverge on side topics, such as his passions for auto racing and golf, producing, his personal brand of politics, and a reluctant 1958 appearance on TV’s This Is Your Life, Garner’s account initially follows a linear path. 

With minimal parental supervision, Garner explains how he was essentially emancipated by age 14 and briefly joined the Merchant Marine just prior to the end of World War II.  Scrounging at various odd jobs before and after his Korean War stint, Garner wandered back and forth from his hometown in Oklahoma to Southern California. 

Sheer luck would land him his first Broadway role as a co-star to one of his big screen idols (and subsequent close friend), Henry Fonda, in The Caine Mutiny Court Martial.  As a struggling 28-year-old actor, Garner would soon marry Lois Clarke in 1956 beginning their 58-year union. 

Subsequent professional success ignited with his instant fame as the title character in the Maverick TV series followed by a series of memorable 1960’s films, including The Great Escape.  His impressive transition between films, television shows, and commercials would continue through the 1970’s, especially with his signature role as private detective ‘Jim Rockford’ on NBC’s The Rockford Files. 

Standing on principle, Garner describes his lawsuits against Warner Bros. over first escaping his Maverick contract and, years later, multiple lawsuits against Universal Studios over The Rockford Files. Meanwhile, Garner’s favorite hobbies, including golfing at various links worldwide, auto racing, and participating multiple times in the annual Baja 1000 race, are explored. 

Despite multiple lingering injuries impacting him throughout production of The Rockford Files, Garner’s workaholic attitude continued through the 1980’s, in films such as Victor/Victoria and Murphy’s Romance.  As the actor states, by now efficiently producing his own projects, he had become more selective of what scripts appealed to him and what projects he would decline (i.e. First Blood).     

Though not necessarily evasive, Garner discusses little of his family life as both husband and father.  Still, he acknowledges at least one marital separation and his battles with alcohol, smoking, and, briefly, a sampling of illicit drugs with John Belushi.  Garner also expresses his unpretentious feelings on the acting process, and by extension, his disgust with present-day Hollywood’s blend of condescension and shallowness. 

While well-regarded, both personally and professionally, he also relays his propensity for hot-tempered fits on the golf course, road rage, and multiple instances of fisticuffs.  For someone who claims to abhor violence and gunplay, the at-times ornery Garner conveys a complex personality, given his own experiences defending himself (or, at the very least, his sense of honor).    

In lieu of musing upon his lesser films and various projects late in his career (aside from 2004’s The Notebook), Garner supplies a filmography to briefly address his full body of credits.  For the most part, Garner, threads personal viewpoints on a variety of topics through his autobiography.  The experience is reminiscent of having a sit-down interview with him.  

Note: This title is available in these other formats: digital, audiobook, & paperback.

REVIEW:

Ironically, the front side jacket begins by describing Garner as one of Hollywood’s ‘all-time great leading men,’ which isn’t necessarily the actor’s own personal assessment.  Still, this bit of publisher’s gushing really isn’t that far off the truth. 

By Garner’s own admission, he headlined some classic Hollywood properties (i.e. The Rockford Files, Maverick, The Great Escape, etc.).  Garner also readily winces that, either by contractual obligation or merely later for the paycheck, he appeared in his share of awful films, too.  Hence, The Garner Files projects the actor’s candor and humility balancing his life’s successes, failures, and various obstacles in making his memoir a solid read.

Observations by Julie Andrews and Lauren Bacall, among others, are consistent describing Garner as a top-flight, old-school professional, with all the makings of a traditionally good-natured gentleman.  He is also someone that others foolishly crossed, and, by the actor’s account, Garner did not (and would not) back down, if provoked. 

While describing himself as an “average American,” tales of his glamorously expensive hobbies somewhat contradict that assessment.  Still, there is no mistaking that Garner’s perseverance and commitment to honest dealing readily merited his success, as well as a genuine legacy 21^st Century Hollywood might only aspire to.         

For fans of Garner and/or Hollywood memoirs in general, The Garner Files is most likely a keeper.  For others, this memoir serves best as a standard, one-and-done library find.  Either way, The Garner Files offers welcome insights into one of the best Hollywood stars who evidently didn’t let iconic fame go to his head.  

ADDITIONAL FEATURES:

Following a table of contents, one of Garner’s favorite co-stars, Julie Andrews, provides the introduction.  Garner supplies a brief “Dear Reader,” which aptly summarizes his attitude towards penning this memoir.  

An unusual 31-page supplement (frankly, it’s a classy form of padding) entitled “Outtakes,” supplies anecdotes from his family, friends, colleagues, and even random acquaintances who recount meeting Garner. 

For instance, Garner’s wife, Lois, presents her own version of their first meeting and short courtship in August 1956 prior to their marriage.  Also included are entries from Garner’s two daughters; Lauren Bacall; Tom Selleck; James Woods; Doris Day; Carol Burnett; Dick Cavett; Stephen J. Cannell; and an amusing ‘confession’ from Steve McQueen’s widow, Neile McQueen Toffel.    

Saved for last is Garner’s candid take on his career filmography, along with his appearances in television shows and TV mini-series.  Of particular interest are his own star ratings of his big-screen films and side notes working on various productions.  His insights are occasionally surprising and refreshingly blunt.    

There are also two sections of black-and-white photographs (one is eight pages and the latter is sixteen pages).  From his personal collection and those of family and friends, the photos appear in chronological order, but they don’t necessarily correspond to that section of the book. 

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                  7 Stars