The icon who wanted Ron Howard to earn their respect: “I decide whether I like you or not”
When Ron Howard began his journey as a director in the late 1970s, he was already known for his work as an actor. While his status in the industry as Richie Cunningham from Happy Days probably gave him a leg up in some ways, it could also be a hindrance in others. You see, it meant everyone in Hollywood had a certain impression of Howard as a sweet-natured sitcom youngster, and when he was tasked with directing a bona fide icon in one of his first gigs, she didn’t make it easy for him. In fact, she made the nervous young director earn her respect.
In 1977, Howard made his directorial debut with the low-budget action-comedy Grand Theft Auto. That gave him solid footing to move forward with directing after he left Happy Days, and he continued to cut his teeth on a series of TV movies for NBC. One of these was named Skyward, and it was a sweet story about a young girl in a wheelchair who learns to fly planes. It was based on a story idea by Howard’s Happy Days co-star Anson Williams, who played Potsie, and it saw Howard working with his first big star. In truth, though, they don’t come much bigger than Old Hollywood icon Bette Davis.
Over the years, Davis built a reputation as someone who didn’t suffer fools gladly, and she was known for being fiery with everyone from her co-stars to studio executives to directors. Perhaps Howard was expecting a confrontation or two when he first got on the phone with Davis – and she didn’t let him down.
“She didn’t much like that there was this 25-year-old from a sitcom that was directing her,” Howard chuckled.” “I was talking to her on the phone, and I said, ‘Well, Ms Davis, I’ll protect you as the director and make sure you’re prepared and that your performance will not suffer,’ and she said, ‘I disagree, Mr Howard.'” Trying to put his combative star at ease, Howard said, “Ms Davis, just call me Ron,” but to his surprise, she retorted:
This set the tone for an on-set experience that was sometimes awkward and tense, but Howard was determined to make it work. Luckily, his father, Rance, was also an actor with tons of experience in Hollywood, and he gave his son some sage advice on how to get the best out of Davis. Rance believed that every good actor knows they need leadership, so he didn’t want his son to be afraid to impose his authority. “Trust your instincts, trust her,” he said, “but let her know you’re there to do a job.”
So, Howard concocted his plan of attack. He found out that Davis’ favourite director she’d ever worked with was William Wyler, who led her to an Oscar with 1938’s Jezebel. Wyler wore a suit every single day on set so Howard did the same. However, when he tried to give her his first piece of direction, she made a bit of a scene.
“I came up behind her quietly to suggest an adjustment,” Howard claimed, “and she made this huge, over-the-top, startled sound – loud enough for the whole crew to hear. She said, ‘Oh my god, you surprised me. I turned around, and what did I see? This child hovering over me!” She then let out a trademark booming cackle, and an embarrassed Howard retreated behind his monitor.
“No, I will call you Mr Howard until I decide whether I like you or not.”
Bette Davis
Later in the day, though, Howard noticed she was struggling with the timing of something, so he put his big boy pants on and ventured out from behind the monitor to give her another note. “She tried it, and it worked for her,” a smiling Howard later remembered. To his delight, she acknowledged, “You’re right. That works much better. Let’s shoot.”
At the end of that first day, Howard said goodbye to Davis by saying, “Great first day, I’ll see you tomorrow.” She replied, “OK, Ron, see you tomorrow,” which clued him in that she’d perhaps decided she liked him. The cheerful pat on the ass she followed it up with let him know for sure, though.
Over the next 10 days, they got through the shoot with a few more minor disagreements but nothing major, and Howard claimed she gave him an enormous confidence boost on the last day when she told him, “You can be another Wyler. Keep it up.”
