The Five Best James Garner Performances

Yes, I know, the "Five Best" lists were supposed to end in August, but that was before I saw a James Garner movie last weekend. Surprisingly, I wasn't always a James Garner fan. It took me awhile to appreciate his unique blend of easygoing charm, toughness, comic timing, and--when required--subtlety. But he has become a favorite actor over the years...and hence I offer my picks for his five best performances:

1. The Americanization of Emily (1964) - This complex comedy-drama about a self-confessed "practicing coward" during World War II has about as many detractors as fans. That's not unusual with screenwriter Paddy Chayefsky's films from the 1960s and 1970s. Count me as a fan, thanks in large part to Garner's skillful performance as Naval officer Charlie Madison, whose flippant approach to the war creates conflict with the woman he loves (Julie Andrews). Ultimately, Charlie realizes the right thing to do--even if he's convinced to do something else.

2. The Children's Hour (1961) - I know many film buffs favor These Three (1936), William Wyler's earlier version of Lillian Hellman's stage play. But I much prefer Wyler's second attempt, which benefits from carefully-nuanced performances from Audrey Helpburn, Shirley MacLaine, and Garner. His role is strictly a supporting one as Audrey's lover. Still, contrast the scenes of Hepburn and Garner at the film's beginning with their poignant last scene together--it's a heartbreaking comparison, right down to the look of defeat on Garner's face.

3. Support Your Local Sheriff! (1969) - More than any other of his films, this Western comedy captures the spirit of Garner's hit TV series Maverick. Garner plays a stranger with a quick draw who cleans up a rowdy gold mine town in typically unconventional fashion. When one of the townsfolk asks why a man with such a fast gun isn't better known, Garner's character remarks (as only he can): "What would I want with a reputation? That's a good way to get yourself killed."

4. Murphy's Romance (1985) - Garner earned a Best Actor nomination as a small-town pharmacist in the twilight of his life who falls in love with a 33-year-old single mother (Sally Field). For me, it's a film that gets better with age, thanks mostly to how it charts the evolving relationship between Garner's and Field's characters. Some sources states that Marlon Brando was the front-runner for the male lead until Field and director Martin Ritt insisted on Garner. Yeah for them!

5. The Great Escape (1963) - In an ensemble piece where Steve McQueen gets many of the memorable scenes, Garner makes an impact as an American aviator who participates in a large-scale breakout from a German POW camp. As "the scrounger," Garner gets his share of amusing scenes. It was a breakout performance for the former TV star, whose previous roles were supporting in nature or as lead in modest efforts (e.g., the underrated Cash McCall).

Honorable Mentions:  The Thrill of It All (his first pairing with Doris Day); 36 Hours (a nifty Mission: Impossible thriller); Marlowe (an interesting take on Raymond Chandler's private eye); Victor Victoria (his "comeback" film after The Rockford Files ended); and They Only Kill Their Masters (a quirky small-town mystery).

Okay, James Garner fans, what are your picks?