In Memory of the Great Garry Marshall

Garry Marshall
(1934-2016)
"So what happens after he climbs the tower and rescues her?"
"She rescues him right back."
And then Edward and Vivian passionately kiss sealing their happily ever after as a man walks by the screen saying something like "Hey, you got a dream? What's your dream? Everybody's got a dream. This is Hollywood," before the credits of one of my favorite movies roll across the screen. Pretty Woman was the first Garry Marshall movie I have ever seen. I was a kid in the darkened movie theater covering my grandmother and aunt's eyes on all the "bad" parts as Richard Gere's Edward makes love to the surprisingly charming Vivian played by the incredible Julia Roberts. It's a movie I love to watch over and over again. Only the great Garry Marshall could bring the spark of this favorite on screen couple back to life years later in another one of my favorite movies, Runaway Bride. Sure we have our favorite on screen Hollywood couples but I must say, no one brought the magic like Garry could. Granted I never had the pleasure of meeting this brilliant entertainer but then again I'm not in the Hollywood crowd. I am just an average joe enjoying the work of a talented individual. Garry had the ability to turn things into gold. He had the Midas touch in Hollywood. You don't need me to tell you that. His long list of successful films and television shows speak for themselves.
Aside from the Julia Roberts/Richard Gere favorites mentioned above, there is also The Princess Diaries which jump started Anne Hathaway's career as well as Chris Pine. You could almost always identify a Garry Marshall picture because he tended to use the same actors in several films. Some of these actors include Hector Elizondo who was in Pretty Woman, Runaway Bride, and both installments of The Princess Diaries, to name a few. There was also Larry Miller who played the kiss up store manager in Pretty Woman to the comical hair dresser/cosmetologist in The Princess Diaries.
Beaches is another great film that although it's a tearjerker it's a movie I enjoy watching over and over again. The tale of a great friendship between Bette Midler's C.C. Bloom and Barbara Hershey's Hilary Whitney is just one that never leaves your heart. To produce a great film you need a great story and a great director who not only has an understanding of the story but also a great vision. Garry Marshall hit the nail on the head every time and that is why his legacy will live on. I'm sad to see you go Garry but thanks for the ride! You're one of the reasons I love film so much and enjoy critiquing. Rest in peace Hollywood prince. Your work is done.

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