Maverick

William Goldman wrote Richard Donner’s film. Goldman has described an earlier draft in which Maverick claims he can call the card he needs out of the deck; it was shot with Linda Hunt as a hermit, then dropped because editors felt it did not fit the rest. Garner’s memoir says Donner first wanted Paul Newman for Zane Cooper; Newman was not interested, and the part went to James Garner, who played Bret Maverick in the 1957 to 1962 series. The riverboat Lauren Belle was really the Portland, the last steam powered sternwheel tug built and operated in the United States. Warner Bros. dealt with the Oregon Maritime Center and Museum; over a few weeks it was dressed with gingerbread trim and two smoke emitting dummy stacks, then stripped back. The artificial smoke ran into Washington and Oregon air quality rules, so those scenes needed separate approval. Danny Glover turns up uncredited as a bank robber; Lethal Weapon music comes in as he and Gibson recognise each other, and he leaves on Murtaugh’s catchphrase. Its one Oscar nomination was Costume Design, for April Ferry. A good fit if picking out the parade of western actors and country singers counts as part of the fun. Not for viewers who mind tension at the card table released by a joke every time.