Ron Howard Makes Films With Heart

Ron Howard has spent most of his life in the glare of the Hollywood spotlight -- first as a young actor, then as one of Tinsel Town's most bankable directors. All of which makes him an expert of sorts on movies. He shared that movie expertise in a conversation with CBS News Entertainment Correspondent Mark McEwen.

As a director, Ron Howard has brought us films with heart. From Apollo 13 and Parenthood to Cocoon and Splash, he's definitely a man with message. And that trend continues in his newest smash hit, How The Grinch Stole Christmas.

Howard was interested in doing Grinch because of the chance to combine Dr. Seuss' "great, funny irreverent wit" with Jim Carrey's talent.

McEwen asked Howard if he was going to recommend one of the movies he's directed, which one would be first on his list.

"One that...I liked an awful lot, that I would probably encourage people to check out might be The Paper," Howard said.

"It was a movie I got a kick out of. The performances were terrific. It did just so-so [at the box office] so I might say check out The Paper - assuming they already saw Apollo 13."

McEwen asked Howard which movie, directed by someone else, did Howard wish he'd made. Howard answered One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest.

"I think I could have made it. I mean, I think I could have understood it well enough, with that degree of sort of wisdom and emotional connection to have been able to do the movie and do it justice," said Howard. "And I think it's just a great, great character piece."

One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Next is about a misfit (Jack Nicholson) who's sent to a mental hospital where he ends up influencing the other patients to stand up for themselves. The powerful 1975 drama, based on the novel by Ken Kesey, was directed by Milos Forman. It won five top Oscars.

"It stayed with me," said Nicholson. "It really touched me."

Some of Howard's other favorite movies include the comedy Animal House.

"If I really want to get cheered up, I'm inclined to grab Animal House," Howard said.

And one of his favorite love stories is A Little Romance.

"An innocent one but I thought it was so wonderful," said Howard.
The 1979 movie starred Diane Lane when she was only 14 years old, as an American girl in Paris who falls in love with a charming French boy.

"It was sort of under-appreciated in its time," said Howard. "I probably over the years have seen it five or six times. I just think it's a beautiful, wonderful, sweet romantic movie."

Howard started acting at the age of 2, in a Baltimore stage production of The Seven Year Itch.

As a young child he appeared in several films, notably in the Music Man and The Courtship of Eddie's Father (both 1962).

He became a household name as Opie, the sheriff'son, on The Andy Griffith Show, 1960-1968.

Unlike many child actors, Howard was protected by his father, who made sure he wasn't exploited. Perhaps that's one reason Howard successfully transitioned from being a child in the business to being an adult.

While still a young man, Howard starred in the film American Graffitti (1973) and then starred for years on the TV show Happy Days.

While in his 20s, the director Roger Corman gave him his first chance to direct. His debut film was the low budget thriller, Grand Theft Auto, in 1977. Howard's first big hit as a director was Nightshift in 1982.

To learn more about Ron Howard, go to Hollywood.com

Partial filmography:

• EdTV (1999)
  
• Ransom (1996)
  
• Apollo 13 (1995)
  
• The Paper (1994)
  
• Far and Away (1992)
  
• Backdraft (1991)
  
• Parenthood (1989)
  
• Willow (1988)
  
• Cocoon (1985)
  
• Gung Ho (1985)
  
• Return to Mayberry (1985)
  
• Splash (1984)
  
• Night Shift (1982)
  
• Grand Theft Auto (1977)