On last week’s installment of our Prove Me Wrong segment I asserted that “Sedans are now cooler than wagons” and expected a fusillade of hatred and, actually, you were all mostly reasonable? Let me try something I also sincerely believe but maybe other people will not: Steve McQueen looked cool but wasn’t actually cool and you shouldn’t pretend to be him. Instead, if you feel the need to cosplay as mid-century actor you should model your life after James Garner. James Garner was cooler than Steve McQueen ever was.
This has been brewing in me for a while, but I was hanging out at a coffee shop in Monterey a couple of weeks ago during car week and a dude in the full McQueen walked in. He had the Steve McQueen Gulf Oil leather jacket. He had the Steve McQueen sunglasses. I’m pretty sure he had one of the watches. Then this dude takes off his jacket and he has a Steve McQueen shirt on underneath.
I will admit that the aesthetic works. For all the things you can say about Steve McQueen that are negative–keep reading for me to share some of those things–it’s hard to argue that he didn’t at least look cool. Steve McQueen looked more like a movie star than any three macho modern movie stars you can think of: Chris Pine, Michael Fassbender, and Tom Hardy? Nope. Christian Bale and both Hemsworths? Not even close.
Steve McQueen, visually, perfectly embodies some sort of platonic ideal of a famous alpha male and that’s one of the big reasons why people ape his style. It doesn’t work. Don’t do that. You are not Steve McQueen and you don’t want to be Steve McQueen.
I’m not going to critique his acting because I think he was a good actor and he had a rough start to life that he wore very clearly on his face even in ridiculous early films like The Blob. When Steve McQueen smiles in a film, and he doesn’t do it all that often, it feels great, partly because it doesn’t happen that often. It’s charming. He steals The Towering Inferno from Paul Newman. Paul Newman!
As a person, though, not so great. I read “Steve McQueen: A Biography” by Mark Eliot a few years ago and it’s kind of a hagiography so I don’t really recommend it just on principle, but if you like Steve McQueen I extremely suggest you don’t read it. Like, Werner Herzog in “Grizzly Man” imploring the woman whose friend was just eaten by a bear to not listen to the tape of the friend being eaten levels of: DO NOT READ. In fact, don’t read any further. Just take my word for it and stop emulating him.
You’re still here? Ok.
Even in a book that gives Steve McQueen an awful helluva lot of credit due to his not-so-great childhood it’s hard to ignore that McQueen had a large side of him that treated other people terribly.
His ex-wife Nelle McQueen Toffel wrote a book about McQueen called “My Husband, My Friend” and there’s a scene in it where she goes to visit him in France while he’s making the film “Le Mans” and he’s clearly sleeping around on her even though they’re still married. There are all these girls following him from place to place. He admits it to her and then, maybe out of a sense of guilt, tries to get her to admit she cheated on him. She won’t do it. He coerces her to do a bump of coke and puts a gun to her head and forces her to tell him, saying he’ll find out and kill her and kill the guy so she might as well tell him.
It’s harrowing and it’s far from the only example of Steve McQueen being abusive and violent, towards women or towards anyone.
Also, on the topic of Le Mans. It’s fun to watch once because it has some rad shots if you view it as an art film and not a film that’s supposed to be narratively or emotionally fulfilling. If you want want the same emotions and same basic story you can watch Claude Lelouch’s A Man and a Woman and you even get a great Mustang. If you want to experience Le Mans, it’s a little more expensive to go to France and watch it but it’s way better and at least feels about half as long as the movie on the second watch.
Steve McQueen could act. He could look cool. He could drive cars fast. He was in that great war movie where he tries to escape from the Nazis. It’s a bummer he died young because if he’d have lived a little longer maybe he’d have reconciled with everyone and made a proper amens for all the shit he pulled, but he mostly didn’t and no amount of suave-looking sunglasses can really make up for what he was like if you take the time to dive deeper and find out what he was like.
You know who also could act? Who also looked cool and could drive fast cars? Who also made a movie about racing? You know who was in the same movie about getting away from Nazis? James Garner.
James Garner lived 86 years and, as far as I can tell, was fucking great for all 86 of them.
Acting? In the same way that McQueen gets the edge on Newman I’d give points to Garner in The Great Escape. While McQueens character gets to be moody and cool he mostly makes trouble and irritates people while Garner is key to the whole program. There are parallels here.
James Garner had a long career and did a bunch of great things, including Maverick and The Rockford Files. It’s not worth arguing over who was better because it’s more a matter of taste than anything quantifiable, but most of McQueen’s roles relied on him being the aloof tough guy whereas a great deal of Garner’s roles worked because, behind the smile and the charm, there was a profound sense of empathy. JG was way funnier, too, there’s no way to prove me wrong there.
This extends to real life as well. Garner also had a terrible upbringing. He was abused. His step mother tried to kill him. It’s pretty awful and it’s no good trying to stack someone’s victimhood against another person’s troubled formative years, but these kind of experiences can often lead people to become selfish for understandable reasons of self-protection or they can make you feel responsible for the larger world around you and it’s clear that Garner took the latter path.
“I cannot stand to see little people picked on by big people,” he told People magazine in an interview. “If a director starts abusing people, I’ll just jump in.”
Garner was a veteran with two Purple Hearts from serving in the Korean War. If this is important to you, he was married to his wife Lois for 58 years. He was a vociferous supporter of Civil Rights all his life and a patron of the arts.
Was he the better race car driver than Steve McQueen? Hard to say, but during the making of Grand Prix the great racing driver and coach Bob Bondurant said that Garner could have competed in Formula 1 at the time and beaten some of the drivers. Either way, he was involved with motorsports for most of his life after that point.
Not only did James Garner also do his own driving in Grand Prix, the movie is approximately 9 million times more fun to watch than Le Mans and I’d argue both technically the better movie and narratively better as well (which no sane person would argue with).
The Rockford Files is bonkers good. Let’s just stop reading and watch a minute and a half of “Rockford turns” aka j-turns.
From a fashion perspective I think the McQueen thing is so played out at this point that you’re better off trying to look like Jim Rockford. There’s definitely a ’70s-dad vibe to it. This is the same era that gave us Elliott Gould as the sexist man alive and, you know what? I’m here for it. Gimme a houndstooth jacket with a bigass collar and sunglasses dark enough to prevent any sunlight from ever entering or escaping.
I could go on but I think I’ve made my point. If you try to emulate Steve McQueen you are, at best, saying “He looks cool and I’ve given it no other thought” or, at worst, saying “I’ve actually given it some thought and I don’t really care about all the other stuff.”
Oh, and the person Steve McQueen thought that his wife was cheating on him with? Reportedly it was James Garner, to which Garner replied, with unsurprising grace: “He wasn’t a bad guy, just insecure.”
And I think that’s all that needs to be said. If you’re being generous, McQueen’s act was an expression of his own insecurity and, often I suspect, acting like Steve McQueen is in a way embracing that same insecurity.
Give it some thought. Be like James Garner. Or, Paul Newman, I suppose. That guy was pretty ok, too.
Anybody know what that Firebird would have worn for engine, (the ubiquitous 350?) transmission (automatic or manual?) and brakes (drum or disc?)
I went down a Garner Google hole a while back, when the car went to auction (seems to have been pretty much a bare metal resto, went for $115k).
https://driving.ca/column/collector-classics/collector-classics-1978-pontiac-firebird-esprit
Seems to have been a mid-range Firebird Esprit the first year, because Rockford would have wanted a TransAm but wouldn’t have been able to afford it. After the first year they decided they needed more grunt for the show, so they used Formula 400, “down dressed” to keep it looking like an Esprit. 330 hp.
https://heacockclassic.com/articles/1970-pontiac-firebird-formula-400/
Look at the underside after the resto. People might argue with that degree of work for a famous car, but apparently the rear half of it was shot. And I like the idea that the car looks that good and will be with us for a long, long time.
https://barrett-jackson.com/Events/Event/Details/1978-PONTIAC-FIREBIRD-FORMULA-THE-ROCKFORD-FILES-227110
All the Rockford cars AFAIK were various iterations of Formula Firebirds, but with Esprit badging and the flat base model hood sans scoops – surely Jim Rockford would keep his cards close to his chest and drive a sleeper, very own-brand for a private eye. They would have been packing a Pontiac 400 with a Turbo 350 and front disc/rear drum brakes.
*On-brand, that is. My kingdom for an edit function.
Ok, what does it mean when we all are so into talking about a major role model in part because he was a good person? I am fully here for this, but it also makes me think about how important basic decency is to all of us, and how rarely it seems to be celebrated anymore.
Plus, why has NOBODY talked about how bonkers the titles of the Rockford files episodes were from that J-Turn video. “Sticks and stones may break your bones, but Waterbury will bury you,” “Rosendahl and Gilda Stern are Dead.” WHHHAAAAAA??????????
I believe you were looking for the word “amends” instead of “amens”. Or maybe I’m trailing the field. Great article, though.
Used to love watching Rockford Files and Maverick with my dad growing up. Between this, the JC Whitney article and all of the general talk of old Volkswagens, it feels like you all are inside my head, but I am totally here for it!
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Meh, Garner probably made more.
lol
Hi.
F**k off.
Thanks.
Couple of Hollywood anecdotes about these two that support the general premise. When McQueen was cast in The Magnificent Seven it was still pretty early in his career, and he seemed to resent that Yul Brynner’s character was the closest thing this ensemble movie had to a lead character. They kinda couldn’t stand each other, both of them having fairly large egos (and being not-very-tall guys, which really ups the toxicity). Here’s a video that describes some of what went on: https://youtu.be/1R_xAaDTP-w?t=122
It’s funny how noticeable it is when you watch the movie. Every time McQueen is in the same shot as Brynner, McQueen is upstaging him. Fiddling with something, making noise, drawing attention away from Brynner. You can’t miss it.
As for Garner, I spent a few years working on the Warner Bros studio lot in Burbank on various shows, and I frequently had occasion to overhear the tour guides talking about historical things that happened on the lot. One of the things I heard several times, but can’t independently verify, was a story about Garner. Apparently dating back to when we worked on the original Maverick series, he was a very approachable and friendly guy, always saying hi to the security guards on his way on and off the lot. On his last day of shooting Maverick, one of the guards thanked him for always being so nice, and in response, Garner gave the guy his Maverick hat, which he had intended to keep for himself. A few decades later (I don’t know if it was 1978 for the New Maverick TV movie, 1981 for the Bret Maverick TV show, or 1994 for the Mel Gibson Maverick movie) Garner was returning to the Maverick role, and that same security guard was still working on the lot, and the guy brought the cherished hat back and presented it to Garner. Now, I hear that there was more than one hat, one of which was auctioned off in 2019, another of which Garner’s daughter auctioned off a couple months ago to benefit her animal rescue charity, but it sure sounds in character for him and I like to think that he did indeed gift his hat to a guard. Just seems like something he’d do.
Go where you want to go
Do want you wanna do
In a Mazda RX7. With Jim Garner….
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=knAZ-7NRWdo
BTW, here’s Rockford’s Firebird.
https://www.hagerty.com/media/archived/78-pontiac-firebird-from-rockford-files/
I’m so proud that I’ve already voiced my admiration for James Garner recently. THE motorcycle jump and THE Mustang helped make Steve McQueen. James Garner was already there. He just happened to love all things automotive related.
One should mention the book about Garners racing life, it’s definitely worth it:
https://www.amazon.com/James-Garners-Motoring-Life-Rockford/dp/161325136X
Loved the Rockford Files as a kid. Started doing J-turns as soon as I had a license. Stopped doing them when I spun my 77 98 Regency into a dumpster. Turns out I am not cool.
For me James Garner has always been cooler although Steve McQueen had an influence on some of my early motorcycling. A lot of my heroes turn out to be assholes, history is a cruel mirror. )-:
This article sparked a memory of a forgotten late 1960’s Car & Driver article, which I now have to find. It featured Curtis Turner with James Garner and Dick Smothers as this students. I learned a lot from reading that and went on to happily abuse cars once I got my license.
BTW James Garner and Steve McQueen were the ones who convinced Dick Smothers to go SCCA racing.
I have a shit load of stuff in my head and once in a while crumbs will get knocked free, thanks.
The Scrounger took pretty good care of The Forger (“Thank you for getting me to Switzerland”). And the Scrounger/Forger team was pivotal to the escape effort.
The Cooler King didn’t even take care of that Triumph (yes, Triumph taken from The Wermacht). He sure could bounce a ball, though.
Man, that whole Scrounger/Forger relationship broke me. The pin scene is some of the most heartfelt acting in any movie.
I just wanted to point out the watch commonly associated with Steve McQueen is a Heuer Monaco not a Tag Heuer Formula 1 linked to by Matt. The debate between the two actors, not my fight, but watches and their history are one of my passions.
Dammit, you had to go and do that, didn’t you…
Okay, but Gran Prix is a crappy soap opera of a film, while Le Mans was a decent attempt to make the racing look realistic.
And Steve McQueen’s character in the movie was “Mike Delaney”. That was my Dad’s name, so Le Mans is a slam dunk for me.
I’m in my 40’s, and maybe I ran (and still run) in different circles, but not only have I never heard any think Steve McQueen was cool, but the most complimentary comment I ever heard about his acting was “great within his limits”. Which is a nice way of saying “no range” or “best in their typecast”.
Go watch The Great Escape again. Steve McQueen’s dramatic attempts to evade capture on a motorcycle were of course, pure cinema gold, but his taciturn delivery is off-putting. Meanwhile, the prisoner for whom you will really pull for throughout the film was Garner’s character. Hendley the Scrounger is an affable next-door neighbor character who says, ‘Sure, I can illicitly find something you need,’ and then actually delivers on the promise. Garner has less script to work with, but is so naturally likeable, that I often wonder who owed favors to McQueen’s agent; he was a TERRIBLE actor and a completely screwed up, anti-social human being who had zero business on a movie set. Maybe it was just more tolerated back then. I dunno. He got put in some great films, whereas Garner made whatever material he was given better….and THAT is the mark of a great actor.
“he was a TERRIBLE actor and a completely screwed up, anti-social human being who had zero business on a movie set.”
Agreed, but keep in mind that McQueen was a late stage product of the “Hollywood Machine” where one’s acting didn’t matter much so long as the face was marketable by the studio (and would therefore sell ticket to any movie in which he appeared)…
And then Burt Reynolds came along and out-cooled them all. Well, sort of.
I worked for Jim at his off road race shop. All the stuff you have read today about him is true. The deal about him knowing everyone’s name. Very true and he always had time to talk to me. One of the guys I worked with, a good friend, later on worked for Steve at his race shop. What you read about him is probably all true also.
I’ve always thought Steve McQueen was “movie star” cool. And knew for actual fact, that James Garner was “real guy” cool. My wife was living in Hollywood in the early ‘70’s and met both. She was crazy about James Garner, as was everyone else who met him. Steve McQueen tried to pick her up on Hollywood Boulevard when she was waiting for the bus. She knew enough about him to not getting in the car with him. She’s not knowledgeable about exotic cars, but her description sounds like a red Siata.
Yeah, she was a hottie back then.
Absolutely useless/pointless comparison, but…
James Garner grew up in Norman, OK and he is honored with a statue there (he returned for its unveiling) http://blogoklahoma.us/place.aspx?id=796
Don’t believe there is a statue of Steve McQueen anywhere
Advantage James Garner
Great, now I have to see if I can find “The Garner Files”.
Steve McQueen had the cool factor, but I would rather be a good man than cool.
I’m with you 100% on this one.
Also, the Maverick movie from the 90’s that Garner did with Mel Gibson and Jodie Foster was pretty damn funny too. I wouldn’t call it “good,” but rather dumb-fun.
I always thought Paul Newman was the guy we thought Steve McQueen was, but what do I know. I’ll gladly accept Garner in that role, but did James Garner have a line a salad dressing? No he did not.
Garner vs Newman is a better comparison. McQueen was cool but also a one trick pony.
I feel we kinda need to add James Coburn into the mix as the dark horse…
Paul Newman is a local legend because I grew up in Johnstown, where he filmed Slap Shot. But my family has always loved James Garner. My parents and grandfather had me watching Rockford Files reruns since I was about 10, to the point where I could quote some episodes. I always loved Garner’s effortless cool, and he was even good in his later movies.
I mean, both Newman and Garner were cooler than most everybody who ever lived.
My father knew Garner and always spoke highly of him. I met him once, and he was nice to me, a racing-crazy kid. Really don’t know much about him otherwise, but enjoyed his movies and TV shows.
“Grand Prix” was a heckuva good movie. My only disappointment came later, when I saw a photo of Soichiro Honda and thought, “Dude doesn’t look like Toshiro Mifune at all!”
…made a proper amens…
?
I heartily endorse this quizzical.
And I hasten to add: “. . . sexist man alive” ???
My parents knew James Garner (then Bumgarner) and one of his brothers in Norman, Oklahoma, before WWII and were favorably impressed. Later, my father noted, with approval, the fact that James
Garner, like himself, had been awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge.
Back in the day, celebrities with service in one or two wars were not as uncommon as they are today, e.g., Ted Williams was a WWII and Korean War vet.
Not only was Ted Williams a Korean War vet he was John Glenn’s wingman:
https://www.moaa.org/Content/Publications-and-Media/Features-and-Columns/MOAA-Features/Baseball-Legend-Ted-Williams-Was-Once-John-Glenn-s-Wingman
And 2 Purple Hearts.
https://www.upi.com/News_Photos/view/upi/ee4f9496d0a0bda30d5405071b6a1753/Actor-James-Garner-recieving-purple-heart-medal-30-years-late/
My dad earned the CIB during Vietnam. There is no medal he is prouder of. He has a CIB license plate on his truck. That makes James Garner absolutely his kinda guy, and “The Rockford Files” is just icing on the cake.