No director has made more swoon-worthy movies than Garry Marshall (Runaway Bride,Overboard).
I believe in fairy tales, and I believe other people do too, says Marshall, 81.
I like to specialize in charming movies.
Credit: Ron Batzdorff
And charm he does.
Here, he reveals his recipe for making us fall in love.
SENTIMENT SELLS
Working onMothers DaywithKate Hudsonevoked Marshalls experience with her mother, Goldie Hawn, on 1987sOverboard.
Ron Batzdorff
Kate was 7 years old, and I held her on my lap.
We would yell Action together, the director recalls.
History was repeated when Hudson brought her boys to visit theMothers Dayset.
Id say, Okay, lets yell Action for Mommy!'
Kate noticed that…. [Its the] circle of life.
KEEP IT REAL
Marshall incorporates real-world references into his films to help anchor the frothy romance.
Everett Collection
I didnt sing in the mess hall, jokes Marshall, But I sure ate there.
And the famous bathtub scene inPretty Womanoriginated with an off-camera bit where Julia Roberts and Richard Gere compared hands.
Its in those moments that they do something you dont expect, Marshall says.
Ron Batzdorff
Thats when the magic happens.
THE KISS IS EVERYTHING
A fairy-tale ending is only as good as the chemistry between costars.
I told Annie, Youre testing with seven different guys and kissing them all,' Marshall recalls.
Ron Batzdorff
She said, Oh, that could be fun.'
BIG CAST = BIG EVENT
Marquee films packed with A-list stars playing intertwined characters have become a Marshall signature.
It also proved to be economical a means of nabbing big talent without doling out big bucks.
You cant pay that many people to work three months, he says.
We didnt talk business between innings, since you dont do that as a good parent or grandparent.
But we talked for a bit after.
Marshall followed up by dropping off the script in her mailbox and Roberts decided she wanted the role.
Says Marshall, Shes great in this picture.
ITS ABOUT THE GIRL
What do Julia Roberts, Anne Hathaway, and Kate Hudson have in common?
They all kick-started their careers with starring roles in Marshall movies.
Thats my biggest pride, finding kids coming up, he says.
Julia started with me when she was 19, and Annie was 18 inThe Princess Diaries.
Young people are as exciting to me as veterans, he says.
