
Ron Howard
From Mayberry to the Moon...and Beyond
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Narrated by:
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Donna Postel
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By:
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Beverly Gray
About this listen
Ron Howard: From Mayberry to the Moon...and Beyond, the first full-length biography of Ron Howard, takes an in-depth look at the Oklahoma boy who gained national fame as a child star, then grew up to be one of Hollywood's most admired directors. Although many show-biz kids founder as they approach adulthood, Ron Howard had the advantage of brains, common sense, and two down-to-earth parents who kept him from having an inflated view of his own accomplishments. He also had a longstanding goal: to trade the glare of the spotlight for a quieter but equally creative life behind the camera. This biography tracks his career from 1960, when he debuted as six-year-old Opie Taylor on The Andy Griffith Show through 2002, when he accepted his Academy Award as Best Director for A Beautiful Mind.
Author Beverly Gray, an entertainment industry veteran, has spoken to teachers, friends, and professional colleagues from all phases of Howard's career. She has also combed the archives to gain further insight into this very private man whose accomplishments have brought pleasure to so many.
©2003 Beverly Gray (P)2021 TantorListeners also enjoyed...
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Opie!!
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Really Good Read
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I'll call you looking for You know like ll
Life and Times of Ron Howard
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Opi done good!
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From Opie to a Beautiful mind
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This book by Beverly Gray has the upper hand in terms of describing Ron's work after Corman. It describes some of the behind-the-scenes goings on in such films as "Splash," "Apollo 13," and "A Beautiful Mind." Unfortunately, the book does not provide as much detail as some readers might like about the making of these movies (and others). Also unfortunate is that the book ends about 2002. Ron has done quite a lot of work since then, though I am not sure any of it has been as remarkable as the work discussed in Gray's book. (I have not seen much of Ron's recent work.)
I feel author Beverly Gray does herself a disservice by stating quite candidly at the beginning that Ron declined to participate in this book. To make matters worse, the Audible sample clip includes Gray's confession on this point. I feel this is going to turn many would-be readers and listeners away from a book that really is a very decent biography. Despite Ron's non-involvement, Gray is very respectful toward him throughout. At times she almost seems fawning.
I found it remarkable how many anecdotes from "The Boys" also appear in this book. Gray's book came out after "The Boys" so I suppose some parts are derived from "The Boys." Of course, there are some stories about Ron's life that have been in circulation for years.
Occasionally, Gray's book can feel a bit superficial and distant. It is necessarily derived largely from previously published material about Ron Howard. Gray also conducted interviews with some people who worked with Ron over the years. Video clips and Ron's work itself also informs her writing. I sometimes felt she spent too much time summarizing the plots of Ron's most important projects.
Despite these few quibbles, overall I thought it was a pretty good book. I think maybe Ron should sit down with Gray so that maybe she can write an expanded and updated edition.
A solid biography ending about 2002
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Dissapointing
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So boring
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