BEST GARRY MARSHALL PROJECTS
“The Dick Van Dyke Show” (CBS, 196166) Among the shows on which Marshall honed his writing credits was this classic comedy, for which his name (along with that of then-creative partner Jerry Belson) was stamped on many episodes during its last seasons. “The Odd Couple” (ABC, 1970-75) Marshall took big strides toward establishing his own television empire by developing (with Jerry Belson) the Neil Simon stage and movie comedy about mismatched roommates Felix and Oscar (Tony Randall and Jack Klugman in this version), for which Marshall also was the executive producer.
“Happy Days” (ABC, 1974-84) Sure to be a big part of ABC’s new special “The Happy Days of Garry Marshall” Tuesday, May 12 – come on, just look at the title – this nostalgic, Marshall-produced comedy sprang from a “Love, American Style” episode and made Henry Winkler a pop-culture icon as the coolerthan-cool Fonzie. “Laverne & Shirley” (ABC, 1976-83) Marshall gave his sister Penny a plum role as the former half of the female buddies (Cindy Williams being the other) who were introduced on “Happy Days.”
“Mork & Mindy” (ABC, 1978-82) Also a “Happy Days” spinoff, this comedy about a space alien and his earthly pal and eventual wife (Pam Dawber) always will be known as the vehicle that introduced the force of nature named Robin Williams to the world at large.
“Overboard” (1987) Goldie Hawn had one of her best movie roles under Marshall’s direction as a spoiled heiress whose accident-caused amnesia leaves her believing she’s the wife of an earthy carpenter (Kurt Russell, Hawn’s real-life partner).
“Beaches” (1988) The tears flowed from Marshall’s teaming of Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey as longtime friends seeing each other through ups and downs.
“Murphy Brown” (CBS, 1988-98) In the original run of the sitcom, Marshall had a recurring role during the final four seasons as Stan Lansing, the colorful president of the network that aired Murphy’s (Candice Bergen) newsmagazine “FYI.”
“Pretty Woman” (1990) Marshall scored one of the most profitable romantic comedies in movie history by casting Richard Gere and – in her big breakthrough to stardom – Julia Roberts as a businessman and the prostitute he hires to be his temporary companion.
“Runaway Bride” (1999) The “Pretty Woman” troika of Marshall, Richard Gere and Julia Roberts reunited for the tale of a journalist on the trail of a woman who famously bails out of her weddings at the last minute.
“The Princess Diaries” (2001) A perennial favorite of young women, this Disney-produced comedy showcases Anne Hathaway as a gawky high-schooler who learns she’s the granddaughter of a European queen (Julie Andrews).
“Valentine’s Day” (2010) Marshall capped his moviemaking career with three all-star, multiple-story salutes to holidays – the best of which is the first, involving such alums of his previous films as Julia Roberts, Anne Hathaway and Hector Elizondo (“Last Man Standing”), who was something of a human good-luck charm for Marshall by appearing in every single one of his feature films.