My Happy Days in Hollywood: A Memoir

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Page 1 of 1 Start over Page 1 of 1. My Mother Was Nuts: In Such Good Company: Product details Audible Audiobook Listening Length: Random House Audio Audible. April 24, Whispersync for Voice: Share your thoughts with other customers. Write a customer review. Read reviews that mention garry marshall movies shows funny guy entertaining writer enjoyable director shirley sister career laverne penny business films humor entertainment behind.

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later. During this time he worked with both difficult and easy to work with people and I think, found that being easy to work with is the way to go. It was interesting to read how the mix of people got along and what shows were headaches and what shows made going to work fun.

Again, his work ethic of trying to make things pleasant for everyone impressed me.

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And yes, Marshall did not always have good days. He encountered cancer and hip replacement surgery later in life but is still looking forward to each and every day. I could not believe folks saying they were irritated by his references to being a dad or that people grow up and away from Happy Days. I really enjoyed this book and some of the antidotes are hilarious. One person found this helpful. Kindle Edition Verified Purchase. Garry Marshall is nothing short of being an American Institution.

Whether he has the mythical "Midas Touch" is a question I asked myself as I read the astonishing list of credits that he has given the world. Imagine being associated even if only for a few episodes with a cast that includes: And that is only in the first pages! It seems that television, especially from the fifties up through the late eighties, could not have survived without Mr. Marshall and his magic touch. His hard work, intelligence and dedication to the arts is evident with his amazing roster of hit shows as well as the way he chose to write this book.

Anyone could have used the array of "big names" as fodder for elicting tons of gossip and more than just a hint of scandal. But, like with the scripts he wrote and the shows he produced, Garry Marshall rises above it. You read about the Hollywood Television Legends and get an accurate picture of them. He spells out the facts simply without passing judgment on them or placing either a halo or horns upon the idols. Mildly, but always writing as if shrugging his shoulders a bit, he talks about the problems of becoming a star too quickly.

But he also does not take aim at them and try to shoot them down. The vast array of talented men and women he worked with have talent, intelligence and a few quirks.

My Happy Days in Hollywood: A Memoir by Garry Marshall

In a factual, but never dry, method, we learn about them. Perhaps they don't shine as brightly after you read about the problems they caused the cast and crew but because Garry Marshall always bows respectfully toward their talent, you still admire them. A light autobiography about a comic genius. In reading this book, I was left with the feeling that there was so much more that could have been written about a very fascinating man and his life.

At times, it felt like Mr. But his very long and successful career in Hollywood, before and after these TV shows, fills the pages of this book with his keys to success for what it takes to make it in the crazy business of show. Even if the name Garry Marshall doesn't mean something to you immediately, you may recognize his face.

He's made screen appearances many times on TV. But these acting gigs are very minor in this man's career. Garry Marshall is more known as the very successful write-producer-director of some of the biggest successes in Hollywood. Starting his career as a writer, he penned jokes for stand-up comedians in New York. Marshall used the skills he learned in television to become the go-to film director for some of Hollywood's biggest romantic comedies.

Maybe you've heard of a couple of his films: One of the things I loved about reading his book is that I could hear his thick New York accent he's from the Bronx as I read the sentences. His own unique voice, literally and figuratively, can be heard as he describes his career successes and failures. I found his experiences to be quite inspirational as he details how he's learned from his own failures and successes to continue taking chances and moving forward in such a tough industry.

I learned how hard he worked as a writer in order to make his way into the industry, even giving away jokes in order to earn the trust and respect of successful comedians. It's amazing how hard he is on Penny Marshall his real-life little sister who played Laverne DeFazio in that series. Perhaps he's able to be more truthful because they are family. But those professional difficulties are coupled with exuberant pride for his sister on her own film directing successes--you know she directed Big, A League of Their Own and Preacher's Wife, right?

It was also interesting to read about how hard he works to make his film sets a pleasant work place. No wonder he's been in this industry for so long--he knows enough to surround himself with the people he knows he can work with comfortably and creates a relaxing atmosphere for everyone else. This explains why he's worked with some of the same people over and over again both in front of and behind the camera.

Did you know actor Hector Elizondo has appeared in all of Marshall's films? But I ended up being more impressed by this one man's ability and willingness to adapt and move forward with a positive attitude after struggling and sometimes failing. Isn't that what we're all trying to do with our lives? Oct 20, Indigo rated it really liked it. Garry is a writer, director, actor, and producer.

I very much enjoyed reading this memoir. What a sweet, kind, decent person Garry is. His big love, of course, is his family and friends. He often talks about needing to be near his wife, children and grandchildren, and has been married to his wife for nearly fifty years. But he also loved his work which is obvious by the fact that he is still directing and producing well into his seventies. He always had a great concern for the actors and staff in his movies.

He realized that the movies he directed would be better if the actors were happy. And on the rare occasion when he is critical in this book e. Off to watch some of his movies again, and to see some that I missed. May 22, Jillyn rated it liked it Recommends it for: I received this book through Goodreads First Reads. This book is a nice, quick read about the life of director Garry Marshall. What I liked about this book is that it was relatively upbeat. I was also a fan of the fact that nothing really dragged out.

Admittedly, this book is a lot of name dropping. But he moves through the timeline pretty fast, so there's no whole pointless chapters focused on one tiny aspect, I received this book through Goodreads First Reads. But he moves through the timeline pretty fast, so there's no whole pointless chapters focused on one tiny aspect, as I've read in other memoirs. But the thing that sets this memoir apart, in my own experiences, is that there's no real downward spiral. No losing himself to drugs, no eating disorder, no awful press report type coverage.

But, it was a change for me all the same. Will I read this again? It's not that kind of book. It was interesting, but I'm over it. If you're a super fan or a complete film buff, maybe you should give this a shot. But if you're roughly my age 20 or younger, I'd pass. Half of these names that are dropped I've barely heard of. It wasn't a waste of time, but I'm not going to gush about it anytime soon.

Apr 23, Dawn rated it really liked it. I enjoyed getting to know a little bit more about Garry Marshall, his family and his life. He seems like a very positive person he writes a "W" on each day of his calendar for "Win" I had no i Interesting.

I had no idea he'd been so sick as a child, or about his writing during his service to the U. I loved his reaction to the times he didn't do as well as he thought he should have he might have said "failed" but I find it hard to see anything he wrote or directed as a "failure". He said that it was OK to fail - that you learn from it, and if you still fail the next time, you just try to fail better. Each chapter describes a TV show or movie that Garry worked on, and tells all about the stars involved, his family life during that period of time in his life, the challenges and victories both on the set and personally.

He includes lessons he learned from other people in show business, and tells stories about those people who inspired him. I found the book to be enjoyable from beginning to end. Jun 05, Linda rated it really liked it Shelves: The name dropping alone is worth the read, this man knows everyone who is anyone in the entertainment biz for the last 50 years or so.

He's worked for or with everyone from Joey Bishop to Zac Efron along the way gathering a reputation as a great director for movies starring and skewed for women. Garry Marshall came from a non-traditional family unit and was a sickly child. Those two things fueled his desire to make a traditional marriage and family, to be happy and share that happier outlook on l The name dropping alone is worth the read, this man knows everyone who is anyone in the entertainment biz for the last 50 years or so.

Those two things fueled his desire to make a traditional marriage and family, to be happy and share that happier outlook on life. He talks honestly about all the things he did to break into the business and is unabashedly loyal to people who come through for him. This is a quick and delightful read that will brighten your day and make you wish you knew him.

Excuse me now while I "Netflix" some of his movies I missed along the way. I like Garry Marshall and almost all of the more popular work he has done in television and movies. I read reviews of this book and one said it was a lot of name-dropping. I think that is allowed, when your own name is dropped. I'd say Garry Marshall is on the level or above a lot of the names he dropped. Besides, he worked with all these 'names' and MADE them names. So, if you like romantic comedy movies and sentimental sitcoms of the 70's you'll like this book.

I was impressed by Garry's reinv I like Garry Marshall and almost all of the more popular work he has done in television and movies. I was impressed by Garry's reinvention of his product. He enjoyed looking for new boundaries to expand, once he got his staples made.

He's been a writer, director and actor of television, movies and theater and his story is told, woven between most of the work he has done through his life. He reads his book to you and gives an entertaining performance in is own right, as well. May 05, Carol rated it really liked it Shelves: I love reading books that tell you what goes on behind the scenes and this book does a great job of that.

Garry's dry humor kept me smiling through out the book. I like the way he laid out his chapters so you immediately knew if it would be interesting to you. He is not vicious or mean and if has something negative to say about someone, he does it in a nice or a funny way. I enjoy his movies and television shows so it was a lot of fun to see how they were created and what it was like filming the I love reading books that tell you what goes on behind the scenes and this book does a great job of that.

I enjoy his movies and television shows so it was a lot of fun to see how they were created and what it was like filming them. I think we could all learn by following his work ethic and his way of handling stars and people in general.

Aug 03, Janet Isenberg rated it it was amazing. This is a delightful book that had me laughing out loud. That was somewhat embarrassing, since I listened to Garry's reading of his autobiography while I took my daily walk. Listening added a lot to the experience since Garry's authentic Bronx accent is a treat for those of us from 'the neighborhood. When he describes all these famous people This is a delightful book that had me laughing out loud. When he describes all these famous people as his friends, you believe him.

He has also turned nepotism into a fine art - good thing he has such a talented family! Jul 21, Natalie Marlin rated it it was amazing.

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I'm a sucker for a Hollywood memoir and I jumped at the chance to read the words of Garry Marshall. His long and successful career has brought him together with so many "greats": He seems to be a straightforward kind of guy, and this comes out in his writing which is to-the-point.

I enjoyed the tidbits from behind the scenes of his shows and movies. He is honest about difficulties with actors and coworkers but in the end h I'm a sucker for a Hollywood memoir and I jumped at the chance to read the words of Garry Marshall.

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He is honest about difficulties with actors and coworkers but in the end he always manages to look on the positive side of things. His humor shows throughout and overall this is a great read! Jul 23, Robin Fichtelberg rated it did not like it. This seems to be a "give everyone I ever met thanks and credit before I die" book. It was not well written yes, his daughter wrote with him , as he is name dropping every other sentence. Between that he makes the point repeatedly that he is a good father and wants to be there for his kids after school. The only interesting thing is reading about how connections and nepotism really are hard at work in Hollywood, along with tidbits about the movie stars, writers, and producers he has worked wit This seems to be a "give everyone I ever met thanks and credit before I die" book.

The only interesting thing is reading about how connections and nepotism really are hard at work in Hollywood, along with tidbits about the movie stars, writers, and producers he has worked with. I would not recommend. I love Garry Marshall movies and have always like him and his sister Penny. This is a great behind-the-scenes book about his different movies and TV shows.

I really enjoyed hearing about what happened and why things were done the way they were done. I also enjoyed the audio book which had Garry reading it himself. If you like Hollywood then read this one. Jul 02, Tom Emory Jr. He apparently has never met a man or woman he didn't like and admire and respect.

My Happy Days in Hollywood: A Memoir

Looking back at a nearly year career, he is generous and happy and considerate and kind. Garry Tom Emory, Jr. He writes he was a sick kid but a good and enthusiastic athlete and a good student. What is obvious is that he formed his happy outlook on life right there in an apartment in the Bronx. He takes credit for trying to hold productions together but is unsparing in his praise for the actors and other people who make shows, all types of shows. He in unstinting in his good humor about his foibles and shortcomings but consistently says he mostly is saved by other people and their talents.

This list goes on and on and it is impressive. The pages drip sugar describing his love, respect, admiration, etc. The author, who co-wrote this memoir with his daughter, Lori Marshall, keeps his eye on all the good things that happened to him, all the important people who helped him along the way and even the crews who helped him day-to-day in the business of making movies and television shows.

There is no dirt in this book, no Hollywood dirt, no New York dirt. It also is about Garry Marshall and his wife, Barbara, who made a good team at home with their two daughters and son, and who grabbed the brass ring where Hollywood marriages are concerned. It is, however, time well spent in the company of a good man who loves his family and his friends and his work, and who has made us laugh for a lot of years. Garry Marshall apparently loves everyone and names just about everyone in his movies.

Garry Marshall died July 19, It's a shame my review won't be used as an obituary or a eulogy. Apr 07, David rated it liked it. This memoir clearly demonstrates that Garry Marshall plans to continue working in Hollywood. Why do I say that? It is almost as if he has nothing at all negative to say about those actors and actresses he has worked with, even those who acted negatively. Oh, he mentions that some are difficult to deal with. He describes the happiest days of his life working on Happy Days and the darkest days Laverne and Shirley.

The closest he gets to demeaning any of those he has worked wi This memoir clearly demonstrates that Garry Marshall plans to continue working in Hollywood. The closest he gets to demeaning any of those he has worked with is to suggest that his sister, Penny, and her co-star, Cindy Williams, were overwhelmed by their fame and immature. That word is the one he chooses to use.. Still, the reader is given an inside peak at how Marshall accomplished so much..

We read about his sorrows over failures Young Doctors in love and Exit to Eden and about his desire to make wholesome films that his grandchildren can enjoy. Finally, in what I felt was a great revelation he mentioned how the phrase "Jumping the Shark" became part of the Hollywood vernacular and how instead of being embarrassed or humiliated by it, he was glad he was able to contribute. Marshall is obviously a very positve man, who seeks to look at life from the most positive side of life.

I enjoyed this book and its title is a bullseye, because Marshall dwells pretty much only on the Happiness he has found in his vocation. I would have liked to have heard some of the dirt and more about how they dealt with problems, etc. Still, he warned us in the title it was about his happy days, not his sad ones. Apr 14, Scott rated it liked it.

Garry Marshall has, in my opinion, made a career on making pleasant yet forgettable shows and films.

You watch them, smile a little, and move on. His autobiography is much the same way. He's a nice guy and his story is a successful one, but the book is ultimately very The first half covers his life as a sick kid growing up in the Bronx and rising up as a writer for people like Danny Thomas and Joey Bishop.

The story is pretty fascinating, to be sure, and it's a breezy narrative that ente Garry Marshall has, in my opinion, made a career on making pleasant yet forgettable shows and films. The story is pretty fascinating, to be sure, and it's a breezy narrative that entertains but never grips you. And then the book turns repetitive.

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