Wake Me When It's Funny: How to Break into Show Business and Stay (Newmarket Insider Filmbooks) [Paperback]

Garry Marshall (Author), Lori Marshall (Author)

Book Description

Release date: July 1, 1997 | Series: Newmarket Insider Filmbooks

This memoir and show-business primer from one of film and TV's most successful writer-producer-director-actors (Pretty Woman, Happy Days, Laverne & Shirley, Mork & Mindy, Murphy Brown) gives sound advice on how to create comedy, break into TV, shoot movies, and deal with Hollywood. 40 b/w photos.

Garry ("Allergic to Everything but Success") Marshall has written hundreds of TV scripts, produced and created 14 prime-time series, including The Odd Couple and Happy Days, and has written a number of stage plays. This entertaining portrait of Marshall's life takes readers on a tumultuous, behind-the-scenes journey, from his early days to the peak of sitcom success to his work in movies today. 32 pages of photos.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Marshall was king of TV sitcoms in the 1970s with Happy Days, Laverne & Shirley, Mork & Mindy and The Odd Couple, then turned to film, directing Pretty Woman and Beaches. He claims he has not been hurt by critics who blasted him for targeting society's lowest common denominator; rather, he glories in that assessment, for his aim was to be "the Norman Rockwell of television." This autobiography, written with his daughter, shows how he reached his goal. The book is a sort of how-to guide, for he explains the processes of writing, directing and producing TV comedy and directing movies in a way that should prove helpful for anyone aspiring to break into either medium. He takes readers from his youth in the Bronx to freelancing for famous comics and thence to Hollywood, with entertaining anecdotes about showbiz types from Danny Thomas to Robin Williams. Photos.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

In Wake Me When It's Funny, Garry Marshall takes the reader on a tumultuous, behind-the-scenes journey from his early days as a nervous writer for comics on the grungy New York nightclub circuit, to the peak of sitcom success when he produced four of the five top-rated television shows, and on to the movies where he has directed Julia Roberts, Al Pacino, Michelle Pfeiffer, Richard Gere, Jackie Gleason, Tom Hands, Dan Ackroyd, Dana Delaney, Bette Midler, and Goldie Hawn. Mixed in is advice on how to make it in the business and beat the system, with anecdotes about his career as an actor in films and television, where he is currently in a reappearing role on Murphy Brown. -- Midwest Book Review --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Newmarket Press (July 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1557042888
• ISBN-13: 978-1557042880
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.9 x 8.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #295,885 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

GARRY MARSHALL is a veteran producer, director and writer of film, television and theatre. He learned his craft writing jokes for Lucille Ball, Dick Van Dyke and Danny Thomas. He has created and produced some of television's most beloved situation comedies including HAPPY DAYS, LAVERNE & SHIRLEY, THE ODD COUPLE and MORK & MINDY. Garry went on to directed some of America's favorite romantic comedies like OVERBOARD, BEACHES, PRETTY WOMAN, THE PRINCESS DIARIES 1 & 2, and VALENTINE'S DAY. Marshall has been married to his wife, Barbara, for close to 50 years, and has three children and six grandchildren. He writes with his daughter Lori; acts in movies directed by his son, Scott; and produces plays at the Falcon Theatre in Burbank, California, with his daughter Kathleen.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Garry Marshall is a comedy genius and his book proves it! August 23, 1998

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

This book is a must for Garry's fans. It's funny and heartfelt. The forward, written by sister Penny, is hilarious. This book lets us all into the heart of one of America's funniest men. I have read this book half a dozen times and am looking forward to reading it again. If you love Garry, you'll love this book.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A fine person November 29, 1999

By Sandra Jerome

Format:Paperback

I used to think I was in love with Garry Marshall because of his films and sitcoms, but now it's because he's truly a fine person. Read the book and I think you'll agree. If you're a screenwriter thinking about writing for sitcoms, this should be required reading. I'm more of a spec writer, so I just enjoyed the stories and laughs. This is a story of one of the most successful people in Hollywood and more importantly, a good father, brother, son, and grandfather.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars That Garry is a funny guy. May 11, 2013

By randall w calcote

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Biographical account of moments from his career as a writer, director and producer of TV sitcoms, films and theatrical plays. The book is loaded with insights and punchlines to add to your daily arsenal of theatrical work and mundane existence.