Dammit, I loved Rockford

One of the truly great screen and television presences, James Garner, is dead at 86. He starred in two hit TV series -- "Maverick" and "The Rockford Files" -- and bunches of top-flight movies, including "The Great Escape."  He had a shitty childhood, but he came out of it a better person. I always liked Garner because he was, let's face it, a likeable guy. I think he was unable to mask that as an actor and chose not to. He portayed characters who were like he was -- likeable. He hasn't worked in recent years -- let's face it, he was old -- but I will miss him as an actor and as one of the good guys.

So I give you this, from The Great Escape, one of the great buddy movies ever:

RIP, James.