Ron Howard

Oscar-winning director Ron Howard tells host Ben Mankiewicz that he feared being “branded” a supernatural comedy director following the success of “Splash” and “Cocoon.” After tapping guidance from his “Happy Days” boss, Garry Marshall, and insight from Frank Capra’s biography, Howard set forth to explore the medium of film in all its genres as a director. He tells Ben about being mesmerized by “Bonnie and Clyde” and “The Graduate” and learning how to work with stars when acting in “The Shootist” with John Wayne directed by Don Siegel. Ron Howard’s Super 8 answers run the gamut from nods to “Project Hail Mary.” and “Eastern Promises,” to “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” and “Blazing Saddles.” Films Mentioned: Night Shift Splash Cocoon Grand Theft Auto It Happened One Night Brian’s Song Boys in the Band The Wild Bunch The Graduate Bonnie and Clyde White Heat The Shootist Charley Varrick Skyward Eden The Paper The Missing Backdraft Frontier Woman The Journey Around the World in 80 Days One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World Project Hail Mary Eastern Promises Unforgiven A Face in the Crowd Gone with the Wind Matilda High Noon Arrival Something About Mary Terms of Endearment As Good as it Gets Young Frankenstein Blazing Saddles Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices