James Garner, 1928-2014

James Garner in The Americanization of Emily (1964)

James Garner, who starred in a bunch of movies in the 1960s but will probably be best remembered for the title role in the 1970s TV series The Rockford Files, has died at the age of 86. This being a movie blog, though, we're going to remember him for those movies. There's The Americanization of Emily, which is pictured above, which has Garner as an American who is selected to be the first man to go ashore during the D-Day invasion, although he's really more of a coward who's been trying to stay out of the war by doing desk jobs in London.



Another movie dealing with the D-Day invasion is 36 Hours, which is a thriller in which US Army officer Garner knows the plans for the D-Day invasion, and is kidnapped by the Nazis who, under the leadership of Rod Taylor, plan to get the information out of him! Garner was also in the war movie The Great Escape.



Garner was also good in light comedy, having made a couple of movies with Doris Day: The Thrill of It All, and Move Over, Darling. Doris Day isn't particularly my favorite actress, so when it comes to Garner and comedy, I'd recommend the comic western Support Your Local Sheriff! Garner could also do straight drama too, as in The Children's Hour.

Since Garner's death only hit the news overnight, I don't think TCM has had the time to come up with a programming tribute yet. I wouldn't be surprised if they get something in before Summer Under the Stars begins in August, since Garner isn't getting his own day in Summer Under the Stars.