RIP Garry Marshall: Our 'Throwback Thursday' tribute to the Pretty Woman director

Garry Marshall, veteran writer, director, and comedian, passed away earlier this week. [caption id=“attachment_2906170” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  American producer, writer, actor and director Garry Marshall. Photo from Getty Images[/caption]

His long list of work includes directing romantic comedies like Pretty Woman and The Princess Diaries and occasionally doing a guest appearance on shows like Two and a Half Men and Brooklyn Nine-Nine.

Though he started out as a journalist from the prestigious Northwestern University, he always had his sights set on writing comedy, and soon moved up to writing for The Tonight Show with Jack Paar and The Joey Bishop Show. Starting from there, he built up a long line of work which includes writing, directing and producing credits. Here are a few of his best movies and TV series that Marshall has created or directed: Young Doctors in Love (1982) [caption id=“attachment_2906146” align=“alignnone” width=“825”]  Young Doctors In Love. Image courtesy: Youtube[/caption] This medical drama spoof chronicles the life of the new young doctors of a hospital and their love affairs. The movie has all the elements of a soap opera: a brilliant trainee who can’t stand the sight of blood; a doctor who is romancing the head nurse in order to get the key to the drugs cabinet; and trouble lurks around the corner as there’s a criminal loose on the hospital premises, disguised as a woman. This 1982 movie is Gary Marshall’s first foray into the world of direction, and though the movie didn’t impress critics, the movie gained a small cult following because of it’s satirical take on the medical profession. The Flamingo Kid (1984) [caption id=“attachment_2906162” align=“alignnone” width=“825”]  The Flamingo Kid. Image courtesy: CC[/caption] Set in the early ’60s, The Flamingo Kid finds 18-year-old Matt Dillon, who belongs to a blue collar background, getting a taste for the good life by joining several of his friends at El Flamingo, a swanky Long Island beach club. A wealthy car salesman, Richard Crenna, takes him under his wing, and soon Dillon discovers the joys of the good life and alienates his down-to-earth father. This is Marshall’s second attempt at direction, and is a must watch for the touching scene at the end where Dillon and his father reconcile. Raising Helen (2004) [caption id=“attachment_2906164” align=“alignnone” width=“825”]  Raising Helen. Image courtesy: Facebook[/caption] Helen Harris (Kate Hudson) is living the high life in New York City and working for a top-modelling agency, when her sister and brother-in-law die in an auto accident. A letter from her sister’s attorney changes her whole life, as her sister has given Helen sole custody of her three young kids. Helen, as well as her older sister Jenny (Joan Cusack) don’t think her fast lifestyle is the right way to raise the three orphaned kids, but she takes them in anyway and tries to become a real mother. She learns what is important to her along the way and also becomes closer to her older sister, Jenny. An out-and-out feel good movie, Marshall really brings out Kate Hudson’s best as a young woman who wants to have fun but is also ready to take up responsibility in her life. TV series: Happy Days (1974-1984) [caption id=“attachment_2906166” align=“alignnone” width=“825”]  Richie Cunningham. Image courtesy: Wikimedia Commons[/caption] The comedy series set in the late ’50s and ’60s, tells us the story of the Cunninghams, one of the most lovable families in America. Set in Milwaukee, the story revolves around Richie Cunningham and their friends as they go through high school, fall in love and even get married. The iconic series was also known for it’s opening theme song also titled ‘Happy Days’. Comedian Robin Williams appeared in two episodes in season 5 titled Mork from Ork; and Marshall was so impressed with Williams comedic timing that he went on to cast him on the spin-off Mork and Mindy. TV series: Mork and Mindy  [caption id=“attachment_2906168” align=“alignnone” width=“825”]  Mork and Mindy. Image courtesy: Wikimedia Commons[/caption] Mork and Mindy was originally created by Marshall as a one season spin-off to Happy Days. Robin Williams stars as  Mork from Ork, an alien sent to Earth in an egg, to investigate Earth and report back to his superiors. He ends up befriending Mindy McConnell and the two have wacky adventures as Mork learns about human life and looks at everything in his own eccentric way. It’s a prelude to PK, if you must. Fans started greeting everyone with Mork’s Ork greeting of ‘Naru Naru’.