Robert Ryan was an outspoken liberal. Richard Widmark was a very honorable man.

He's a truly handsome man.

but Garner is likely more along the Will Rogers-type of Oklahoman. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_Rogers

ETA: We even have atheists here...ask Wolf!

But I guess no more than Texas from Sam Rayburn.

One for you... and one for your other half...

I sure miss seeing him around, but I love that you are around more!

from the musical realm

and grew up in the dustbowl era, with a father who worked as a laborer and a mother who died when he was five. He got drafted into the Korean War. So he had plenty of lessons early on about how harsh a place America could be for those with little money, and for those caught in unlucky circumstances, or those born on the wrong side of some line.

One thing (of the many) that I hadn't realized about him was that he had a passion for racing cars.

I only learned this about a month ago when I happened to see "Grand Prix" on TCM one gloomy Saturday afternoon. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Prix_(1966_film)

I met him while he was filming a movie. My dad was the Technical Assistant and my mom had a role. My bother and I were in the background of a scene with C. Thomas Howell. He was taking a break, smoking a cigar, in his car. I walked up to introduce myself. He smiled, shook my hand and when I said my name, he said, "Oh, you're (my parents' names) oldest son. Nice to meet you!" This was in the early 80's. He is a BIG man! His hands were huge!

I am glad to know he is a liberal.

time, BtA! I saw him on tv being interviewed for something during the bush years and he was saying .. "I'll probably get in trouble for this but".. and then he went on to say something about supporting Democrats. I loved him even more.

How fun you met him.. your Dad was TA and your Mom had a role.. and you and your brother were in a background scene with C.Thomas Howell! 6 degrees and all that!

He was so patient to two little kids (one of my brothers was with me) who were "oooing and awwing" over him. C. Thomas Howell was also really nice. I also met James Cromwell, who was very polite.

LA Confidential

I met Rod Serling once and Cliff Robertson and Sigourney Weaver.. all places I was working at the time.. from Florida, California, to Kaua'l.

in the 60's, no less.

outspoken liberal politics.

did not know all these Hollywood stars had been involved in the March. Very good to know.

There were quite a number involved in the March On Washington.

I am not normally one for sappy love stories, but in this he stood by his wife until the end. I can't watch the last scene, because the thought of my wife not knowing who I am terrorizes me.

and I can't think of a single right winger who could have pulled that role off as well except maybe Robert Duvall on a really, really good day.

to pull off any role that calls for character & integrity -- especially with James Garner's charisma.

Audrey, Shirley, James - damn good movie and acting. And very very brave for the time it was made.

Seamless, humble, unassuming and brilliant. A very great actor.

I knew there was a reason I always liked him.

... and recently watched 100 episodes of the Rockford Files, even though somewhat formulaic, entertaining to the last one!

Last edited Fri Mar 14, 2014, 02:50 PM - Edit history (1)

Lee Marvin, Robert Ryan, Richard Widmark, gene Barry, pernell Roberts, Alan alda, Mike Farrell, Paul Newman, Carroll O'Connor, Anthony Franciosa, George Peppard...

"The Rockford Files" as a kid growing up in the 70s! It wasn't until later that I realized his political leanings, and loved him even more!

he was asked about his politics and I think when he was asked if he was a Democrat, I don't remember if he said he was or wasn't, but he said that he was to the left of the Democratic Party.

We never missed Rockford,
and among my brothers and I,
"What would Rockford do?" was often said when facing a dilemma.


His Answerphone recording was mimicked by my younger brother,
and used for years.