Screenland Plus TV-Land (Jul 1959 - May 1960)

"What I've Never Told Before continued from page 34 lim as a gesture of something or other. "I guess it's just part of my whole way jf life," is his typical reaction. "So far I've been very fortunate and never had to ask a favor of anyone and feel indebted, as a result. The whole truth is, if f |[ can possibly swing it, I'll pay cash for everything I buy, or build. The things jl live with I want to own and it's as simple as that. I think we'll remain in the valley, it's closer to the studio in the heavy traffic and a great place for kids to find space for stretching their legs." As the time for owning their own home becomes closer to reality, the Gamers get a terrific kick out of discussing their pet project They've drawn up tentative floor plans during quiet evenings when the children (little Greta celebrated her first birthday last January) are asleep. During spare moments, Lois thumbs through magazines" depicting the domestic scene and clips illustrations she thinks Jim will like. His inimitable contributions are best described in his own words. "I want to live the way I used to think all movie stars live. You know — bedrooms with gold door knobs, hot and cold running butlers, guest houses, tennis courts, sunken pools, projection rooms, stables — and wall-to-wall money!" It's that last phrase that betrays Jim's irresistible urge to kid things that have a basis of truth. His quick smile unmasks his deadpan humor while he proceeds to qualify himself. "Confidentially, I never was a fan, although I always enjoyed going to the movies and reading the movie magazines. Some of those stories about Hollywood stars dining off mink table cloths and filling their swimming pools with pink champagne were real gassers. I suppose some of them did come close to the truth, but when you read about great moneymakers of yesterday being broke, it makes you stop and think. No, I'd never want to put myself in such a spot. "T OIS and I hope to get to the place -Li where we won't want for anything — anything within reason, I mean. But luxuries aren't necessary, unless having a yard where I can practice golf is a luxury. I just want a place where I can play with the kids, a pool to jump in, which is healthy for them and that's about it. Somehow I can't imagine paying half a million dollars for a home and mortgaging one's soul to it. Maybe I'm crazy, but a clear conscience and a good night's sleep appeal to me much more. "People do it, but I can't imagine paying out a fabulous sum for a decorator to come in and take over. After paying through the nose to get everything perfect — it turns out 'perfect' for everyone except those who have to live with it. Lois and I did discuss this for a fast five minutes and that settled the subject. She has ex cellent taste and, knowing me as she does, I'll leave it up to her to exercise her own judgment. This way I know our home will be livable and right for us. "When you stop and think that I'm away working most of the time, Lois and the children are actually the ones who will enjoy the greatest benefits from the house. Therefore, it's very important that they are happy in their surroundings and as long as the place is clean and neat, that's good enough for me. That's all I want and it wouldn't bother me if Lois decided to decorate in Early Livery Stable! You know, I've lived in some pretty crummy places during my travels, so I'm not hard to please." Loving kids the way he always has, it follows that Jim Garner exerts great parental care and concern in raising his daughters. He wants them to grow up being nice, normal and natural, and he discourages the slightest indication that there are special privileges in having a famous father. "Of course, Greta is too young to know I'm an actor," laughs Jim, "but Kimberly has been exposed to it and about every three months she announces she wants to become another Judy Garland. To get the best results, I play it straight. When my alarm goes off at 6 a.m. I awaken Kimberly and bring her to the set. She has to sit there very quietly and watch. At first, she's all eyes and very thrilled. By eleven she's had it and can't wait to go to lunch. "After lunch, when she's been revitalized, Kimberly's enthusiasm returns again and then comes more sitting and more watching. By four, a very tired and bored little girl is ready to go home, but we seldom get there before seven. By this time the glamour is gone. She sees me when I come home at the end of each day and how beat I am. I kick off my shoes and she hangs up my clothes and this is like a ritual. As time goes by, she cares less about becoming an actress!" Maybe Kimberly will never see her name in lights, but she should have an Oscar for her performance with the sand pile set. Jim gets a big boot out of it and in that warm, understanding way of his, he lets her get away with it. "Kimberly V at that age where she is impressed with everything I do," he nods knowingly, "but she covers up by pretending to be blase and couldn't care less. One morning recently, she casually told me about some boy in the neighborhood who was getting in her hair. He kept pestering her for my autograph and she acted as if the whole thing was way beneath her. Of course, she was secretly pleased and finally when I sort of suggested that she give the kid the autograph to get him off her neck, there was a big sigh of satisfaction!" After a long, tiring day at the studio, Jim rarely watches television and he's SUNDAY morning Jim plays golf, loafs the rest of the day. Monday he's Maverick again. only seen about half of his own shows. But like the man says — "After all, I DO know the plot!" However, Lois, Kimberly and her little friends are great "Maverick" fans and after Sunday night viewing, there are lively discussions in the Garner living room. Lois has a quick mind and insists that people in real life wouldn't behave the way they did in a certain scene. Jim allows as how they would and they go 'round and 'round in friendly fashion. Sometimes he wins and sometimes he loses, but the kids lay it right on the line. "They tell me what they like and don't like," laughs Jim, "and they're very definite about it. Usually, they don't know why they have certain reactions, but I still listen to those kids because they are great critics. They're unbiased in their opinions and you'd be surprised how much I've learned from them about my work." Although Jim's away many weekends doing benefits and making personal appearances, when he's in town, Saturday is his big day at home. "It's everyone's turn to wait on me," he beams, "and I take it big! If there's a ball game I watch it on TV, unless it interferes with playing with the baby. Kimberly usually goes off to a movie in the afternoon, Lois goes shopping and I work terribly hard at loafing. To give Lois time off from cooking, sometimes we jump in the car and go to some nearby place for an early dinner. On Sunday morning I play golf or tennis. When Kimberly follows me around the course, we take along hot dogs and Cokes and have a picnic lunch. Then I get caught up on my loafing for the rest of the day and get up bright and early on Monday morning for another week's work. "There aren't many odd jobs for a man continued on page 70 61