After decades of success on the big and small screen, in everything from Sayonara to Victor/Victoria and Maverick to The Rockford Files, veteran James Garner scored a late-in-life Lead Actor Oscar nomination for 1985’s Murphy’s Romance, an old-fashioned Western-themed romantic dramedy opposite Sally Field. It was clear the Academy had real affection for the star. It’s a sweet movie that they just don’t make anymore. Check it out if you can.

This article is part of a special year-long series of anecdotes, reflections and thoughts about the Academy Awards.