Chat With Beverly Gray: Author of Ron Howard: From Mayberry To The Moon...And Beyond

[CollegeGirl]

Hi everyone!

Beverly Gray has written a fascinating book on the life and career of our beloved Ron Howard ("Richie Cunningham"). This book is titled Ron Howard: From Mayberry To The Moon...And Beyond, and is available in most major book stores, including Amazon.com. You can also visit Beverly Gray's website at www.beverlygray.com. I thought everyone might be interested in participating in an online book discussion/ question and answer format on Ms. Gray's writings. Ms. Gray has graciously agreed to answer our questions.

I'll ask the first question.

Ms. Gray, What inspired you to write a biography on Ron Howard?



Links

Rutledge Hill Press
AAABookSearch.com

[beverlygray]

Hi, Happy Days fans! Please call me Beverly: "Ms. Gray" sounds so formal! I am delighted to tell you about how I decided to write "Ron Howard: From Mayberry to the Moon . . . and Beyond." First of all, I worked for many years in the movie industry as the story editor to a man named Roger Corman. He's known to horror fans as the director and producer of a number of classics, including the original "Little Shop of Horrors" and a cycle of Vincent Price films based on the stories of Edgar Allan Poe. Roger is also well known for helping bright young filmmakers to break into the industry.
My first book, published in 2000, is the definitive biography of Roger Corman. For that book, I spoke at length to Ron Howard, because Roger had given Ron his first opportunity to direct, on a 1977 teen car-crash film called "Grand Theft Auto." During our conversation,Ron was very helpful and friendly. When it came time to consider writing a second book, I became interested in Ron himself, partly because I knew something about the "Grand Theft Auto" period of his career, and in fact had some old friends who'd worked on that film. Also, I have often written about child actors for the Hollywood Reporter, and I was intrigued as to how Ron -- almost alone among former child stars -- had made such a hugely successful transition to an adult career in the entertainment industry. The fact that Ron, despite all the pressures of Hollywood, has managed to sustain a good marriage and a strong family life was also very appealing to me.

I hope this answers your question!

[*Shelle*]

Wow...I hope I'm not too late to jump in on the conversation! I have a question for you, Beverly:

When did you decide to become a writer? And how do you maintain the dicipline to actually sit down and finish something? I ask because I am an aspiring writer, with only a few freelance articles under my belt, and as much as I love to write (both fiction and non) I cannot seem to keep myself focused. Good thing I have an actual non-writing job...I don't think I'd survive otherwise!

Also, could you tell us a little bit about the process of taking your discussions with Ron and turing them into your writing...was it hard? Were you able to take any "artistic license" as far as recreating certain events, or was he descriptive enough that you really didn't need to?

Thank You!

[beverlygray]

You ask some great questions. About being a writer . . . I had never exactly planned to write books, but I always loved writing. In college I wanted to be a professor of English. That's why I went on to earn a doctorate in contemporary American fiction. Actually, it was while in graduate school that I started writing theatre and movie reviews for the school paper, because I liked the idea of writing something that people (as opposed to professors!) would enjoy reading. Then, because academic jobs were hard to come by, I found myself working in the movie industry, and actually earned 6 screenwriting credits. Those were low-budget quickies, though, and I'm much prouder of my two biographies. Yes, it definitely takes focus and persistence. I certainly do procrastinate when I need to start a new writing project, but once I get going I forget about things like eating and sleeping!

Regarding your second question, I must explain that I spoke to Ron Howard very little for this book. He basically explained that he was in mid-career and didn't have the time to get involved. But I did interview a great many people who knew him at various stages of his life. I also went through the archives to read practically every interview he ever gave (his first was at age 6). I took extensive notes, then grouped themes on large index cards. I had so much good material that I didn't even think of using "artistic license" to re-create scenes that didn't actually happen.

I hope this is helpful, and I look forward to more questions from you!

Beverly

[animalcrackers]

I hope I'm not too late. Welcome Beverly! Ron has made some great movies, does he have a favorite? And I read that he tries to have a part for his brother Clint and his wife Cheryl in his films, is that true? Rance and Jean did an excellent job in raising Ron & Clint.

Thanks

[beverlygray]

Welcome to the discussion. Yes, Ron Howard has made a number of terrific films. He has never mentioned an absolute favorite, but I know there are several of which he feels particularly proud. These include "Cocoon," which he has called his PhD thesis in filmmaking; "Parenthood," which was based on his original idea and contains some of his own experiences as a parent; and "Apollo 13," a very complicated and very succesful project. Of course he feels great affection for the film that gave him the Oscar he has always wanted: "A Beautiful Mind." But Ron is the sort of filmmaker who is always looking to better himself. He sees himself making even more challenging and impressive movies down the road.

To respond to the second part of your question, Ron does indeed like to use his family members in his films, but he makes them audition for the parts they want, and he feels no qualm about cutting their scenes in the editing room if the good of the film demands it. (That's why his father Rance was essentially cut out of "A Beautiful Mind," and Clint is only a voice in a crowd scene.) He makes an exception for his wife Cheryl, whom he regards as a good luck charm. Though she has never considered herself an actress, she is in every one of his films, and sometimes has a few lines. My book contains a wonderful story about how Ron's mother Jean got her small but important role in "Apollo 13."

Keep those questions coming!

Beverly

[Chad22]

Does he have a favorite TV Show that he was in? Like Happy Days or The Andy Griffith Show?

Welcome to the Board by the way

[¤I Love Clay Aiken¤]

Welcome Beverly!! Its such an honor to have you on our board! I hope you decided to stay for the long run!

[Cactus Jack]

Who did Ron get a long with more out of Anson and donny?




Welcome to the board, BTW

[Stormtracker TF]

Cool! Welcome to the boards

[beverlygray]

Thanks for the warm welcome. Istillgotit asked whether Ron Howard got along better with Donny Most or Anson Williams. That's hard to say: he's a friendly guy in general, and felt close to both of them. Witness the fact that both were ushers at his wedding. I should add that just a few years ago, Don Most had a small featured role in Ron's comedy, EDtv. But when Ron was just beginning his directing career, around the year 1980, he and Anson Williams formed a small production company. Their greatest achievement was the TV movie "Skyward," based on an Anson William idea about a young paraplegic who learns to fly a byplane. Her teacher was played by the legendary Bette Davis. Anson was the executive producer, and Ron won critical acclaim as a director. The success of "Skyward" certainly helped both of them in moving beyond acting.

I should add that my book, "Ron Howard: From Mayberry to the Moon . . . and Beyond," contains a lot of great stories that take place on the Happy Days set. If anyone out there owns a copy, I'd be delighted to "autograph" it by sending a bookplate with my signature and a little Ron Howard cartoon that readers seem to really like.

Bye for now! Keep those great questions coming!

Beverly

[CollegeGirl]

Hi Beverly! You are doing a marvelous job! In your book, you explain Ron's parents' histories in the acting business. Then, as Ron got older, how he joined his parents in the business. I was personally impressed how Rance taught little Ronnie to behave and work so diligently while acting a role. Have you had the opportunity of meeting Ron's parents?

Also, I must confess that reading this book has taught me more about Ron and his family than the accumulation of othr sources I've read about him. It's very informative and insightful.

I would LOVE to get an autographed bookplate.

[beverlygray]

Hi again, Ron Howard fans!

I just realized I had never answered Chad Doody's question about Ron's favorite TV show in which he appeared. Ron is not the sort of person who plays favorites. He has wonderful memories of both "The Andy Griffith Show" and "Happy Days," though on "Happy Days" he felt a good deal more pressure: he really wanted to begin a directing career at this point in his life, and it was hard to cope with the fact that--although he was supposed to be the star of the series--the show quickly became focused on the Fonz, who was not a major figure in the early episodes. Also, though he loved the "Happy Days" cast and crew, he did not particularly enjoy being a teen idol, because it was very hard to maintain his privacy. I should also mention one other series he did briefly. It was called "The Smith Family," and it starred Hollywood legend Henry Fonda, who played Ron's father, a very righteous Los Angeles police detective. The show was a rather silly attempt to blend serious social issues (teen drug use, etc.) with a Father-Knows-Best type sitcom. Ron has called it "a terrible series, a great life experience," because he found Fonda to be an inspirational figure, who encouraged him in his directing dreams.

College Girl, I have unfortunately never met either Rance or Jean Howard (Ron's parents), but I have talked to many people who knew them well over the years. I would love to send you an autographed bookplate for your copy of my book,"Ron Howard: From Mayberry to the Moon . . . and Beyond." Write to me at beverly@beverlygray.com, and give me your mailing address!

Over and out for now!

[animalcrackers]

Hello Beverly, "The Shootist" is one of my favorite movies, plus I'm a John Wayne fan. Did Ron mention what it was like working with Mr. Wayne & Lauren Bacall?

[beverlygray]

Hi again, Animal Crackers,

So you're a fan of "The Shootist"! Did you know that Ron Howard got his only Golden Globe acting nomination for this powerful film? The story, for those of you who aren't familiar with it, concerns a gunslinger who is dying of cancer. The fact that Wayne himself was dying of cancer at the time made the atmosphere on the set extremely tense. Ron was nervous about approaching the great Wayne, who had a reputation for being hard on young actors. But in fact they got along well. Wayne called Ron "old Twenty-One," because this was Ron's age at the time. They played chess together when not in front of the cameras, and Wayne generally won. My book contains much more about what Ron learned from John Wayne, and how the themes of "The Shootist" fit in with Ron's thematic concerns in other films he's made throughout his career.

It's terrific hearing from all of you!

Beverly