The MavericksThe Mavericks were TV's most reluctant
heroes. They'd rather talk their way out of trouble. Buy the
fella a drink, offer a cigar, play a few hands of cards -
anything but gunplay at which they weren't especially adept.
Too often, however, they found themselves having to rescue
someone, hopefully a damsel in distress.
Gamblers by trade, the Mavericks travelled the West in search of
good times and the easy way.
James Garner was to be the only Maverick but when production ran
behind, brother Bart was added. Jack Kelly appeared in about a
third of that first year's episodes and a separate production
crew was used. By 1960 Garner and Kelly shared duties about
50/50 and sometimes appeared together. After the 1960-1961
season Garner left the show. Roger Moore appeared from 1960-1962
as cousin Beau who had been living in England and Robert Colbert
in 1961-1962 as brother Brent for two episodes.
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James Garner as Maverick
Actor, Born 1928: James Scott Bumgarner: Norman, Oklahoma,
USA
To the viewing public James Garner is James Rockford, the
aimiable, human, often smart, often cool, but not infallible
detective of the American television series 'The Rockford
Files". It is that role above any others that has established
him as one of the most popular film and television personalities
in America. And indeed many of his film characters are
variations of this street-wise, inventive, sometimes devious
character, as shown in movies like 'The Americanization of
Emily',"The Skin Game' and 'Support Your Local Sheriff'. Garner
had his first chance to act when he appeared in a minor role in
'The Caine Mutiny Court Martial' on Broadway, having previously
sampled various occupations, as well as serving in Korea(for
which he received the Purple Heart). It was the original
television series "Maverick" that initially brought him
recognition. His film career then suffered in the early Sixties
when, as Vice President of the Screen Actors Guild, he fought
the studios over a contracts dispute. But, like Rockford, having
endured some setbacks, Garner pulled through, beat the studios
and went on to become a top star.
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