James Garner

James Garner in ‘Support Your Local Sheriff’

Posted on by Francine Brokaw


Legendary actor James Garner is both entertaining and adorable in this 1969 western comedy. Support Your Local Sheriff is filled with wit, wackiness, and a lot of fun. It’s now available on Blu-ray.

Garner is Jason McCullough, a man passing through town “on his way to Australia” but heard about gold being discovered in this little Western town. He’s smart, witty, and cunning. To pay for his stay in the town, he takes the job as the sheriff. It comes with room and board from the mayor (Harry Morgan) and his daughter Prudy (Joan Hackett).

Prudy is instantly attracted to McCollough but she’s a bit of a klutz. Everything she does ends up embarrassing her. She and her dad own one of the largest gold mines in the town, which is an interesting fact for Jason.

While the new sheriff sets about putting law and order into this town filled with chaos, he doesn’t let anything get in his way, even the Danby family (Walter Brennan, Gene Evans, Dick Peabody) that runs amuck in the lawless town. McCollough is about to put an end to that, however.

While setting the town on the right track of the law, along with his deputy Jake (Jack Elam), Jason also tries to strike gold for himself. After all, that is why he came to the town. The job of sheriff was only to pay for his room and board, although he does take it seriously.

With a jail with no bars on it, McCollough uses his intelligence and quick draw to keep Joe Danby (Bruce Dern) in the cell, which is one of the most comical parts of the film. There’s no one who can rein in this family or for that matter the town, but McCollough is determined to do so.

All the while he is busy putting law back in the lawless town, Prudy is wooing him in her own way. Will McCullough end up taming this town and will he get his gold mine? The fastest draw in the town is about to get everything he wants, and the viewers are in for a treat.

Garner is absolutely adorable and even if he isn’t saying anything, his expressions are priceless. This is definitely a fun film.

Support Your Local Sheriff is rated G.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 25 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. Follow her on Twitter.

‘The Essential James Garner’ Book Review

Posted on by Francine Brokaw



Authors Stephen H. Ryan and Paul J. Ryan have compiled the quintessential book about the career of actor James Garner. Garner was equally successful in television and films and his career spanned over five decades. The Essential James Garner is a book that encompasses his entire career.

Garner was just as impressive in a Western as he was in a romantic comedy. The book covers his entire career as one of America’s most beloved actors.

This is mainly a go-to book for stats and info about Garner’s roles and shows. The authors have put together a history book of Garner’s life in show business.

Each chapter is dedicated to a specific title and gives complete production information about that show. Beyond that, the authors have written summaries of each show as well as information about the productions. They also include reviews given to each title. And finally, they have included their own commentaries about the shows, Garner’s characters, his experiences, and how the shows relate to his other titles.

On a personal note, my interview with Mr. Garner was probably the most impressive interview I have ever conducted. He had been a favorite of mine through the years and he was open and honest during the interview. He was eager to answer every question. To say he was fascinating is an understatement. My short time with James Garner will always remain among the highlights of my career.

The Essential James Garner is not a book that you can sit down and read from cover to cover. It is more of an encyclopedia of his career, with plenty of information and some great photos.

Whether you think about him as Bret Maverick or as Doris Day’s husband in two iconic romantic comedies (Move Over, Darling and The Thrill of it All), or as the scrounger Hendley in The Great Escape, or the race car driver in Grand Prix, or as Jim Rockford, James Garner left a lasting legacy for his fans and for a new generation. He had some fabulous costars – Julie Andrews, Eva Marie Saint, Sally Field, Jack Lemmon, Clint Eastwood, and so many more. James Garner shines brightly in the annals of Hollywood history.

His recognizable voice provided plenty of animated characters with life and his easy-going attitude was infused in his on-screen characters.

This book is a must-have for fans of Mr. James Garner.

The Essential James Garner
Authors: Stephen H. Ryan and Paul J. Ryan
Hardcover: 302 pages
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers (June 7, 2018)
ISBN-10: 144227820X
ISBN-13: 978-1442278202

About the Reviewer

Francine Brokaw writes about entertainment, products, and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books.

Follow her on Twitter

‘Sayonara’ on Blu-ray from Twilight Time

Posted on by Francine Brokaw



Based on the book by James Michener, Sayonara stars Marlon Brando, Miiko Taka, Red Buttons, James Garner, and Miyoshi Umeki in a dramatic story of life and love in Japan after World War II. The story takes place in 1951, just ten years after Pearl Harbor. Tensions run high but yet the people of Japan are eager to get past the resentment they hold for the “Yanks.”

Brando is Air Force Major Gruver, a man from the South who is following in his father’s footsteps in the military. Kent Smith is General Webster, who is friends with Gruver’s father and quite anxious for Gruver to marry his daughter Eileen (Patricia Owens). He reassigns the ace pilot to Japan from Korea so the couple can spend more time together and hopefully marry.

While in Japan, one of Gruver’s men, Joe Kelly (Buttons), marries a Japanese woman (Umeki). The law at the time does not allow American servicemen to bring their Asian wives back to the states. Knowing this, and knowing the prejudice the couple and their children will face, they start their lives as a married couple in Japan. The future will take care of itself.

Gruver is against the union, but eventually comes to realize how much in love the couple is. And to the chagrin of the higher ups, he also falls for a Japanese woman (Taka) and breaks up with the General’s daughter.

Garner is Captain Bailey, a man on the side of love and marriage, and the conduit between the lovers to keep everyone content and in good standing. But that proves a challenge when the military comes down harder on mixed-race couples.

Irving Berlin wrote the title song, and the score is from famed composer Franz Waxman. Joshua Logan directed this epic story of love, compassion, prejudice, and history, and brings the culture of 1950s Japan to the screen.

This film introduced Red Buttons as a mainstream actor to movie audiences. Brando had already made a name for himself with A Streetcar Named Desire, Julius Caesar, On the Waterfront, and Guys and Dolls. Garner went on to star in numerous dramas and comedies in his career. Taka was introduced to audiences in this movie and went on to roles in Shogun and Walk, Don’t Run. Umeki played Mei Li in the 1961 musical Flower Drum Song, and in 1969 co-starred in the TV series The Courtship of Eddie’s Father.

Personally I would have preferred to see James Garner in the lead role, but who am I to challenge Josh Logan? By the way, Garner won the Golden Globe for this film for “Most Promising Male Newcomer.”

Michener penned many classic stories, like “The Bridges at Toko-ri,” “Hawaii,” “Centennial,” and “The Drifters.”

This limited edition Blu-ray from Twilight Time includes a booklet about the movie and the story.

Sayonara is long (147 minutes) and filled with emotions. It’s not rated but due to the subject matter it is not for young viewers. Pop this disc into your player and settle down for two and a half hours of intense drama with a great cast and wonderful performances. Red Buttons won the Academy Award for “Best Actor in a Supporting Role,” Miyoshi Umeki won for “Best Actress in a Supporting Role, “ and the film garnered two additional Oscars.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 20 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books.

Follow her on Twitter