(EDITOR’S NOTE: We admit it. LB has talked about his reaction to The Boys a couple of times (HERE and HERE) but we’re happy to bring you Herbie J’s genuine, oh-so professional review. And guess what? Turns out he’s smitten with this book too.)
by Herbie J Pilato
Who hasn’t enjoyed Ron Howard on “The Andy Griffith Show” and “Happy Days,” or his younger brother Clint Howard on “Gentle Ben,” and in a remarkable guest spot on “Star Trek”?
Eddie Murphy certainly has.
At least that’s what Clint relays in his new book with Ron, “The Boys: A Memoir of Hollywood and Family,” just elegantly published by William Morrow.
Many classic TV and feature film fans have long anticipated the release of this book, as the Howard siblings have amassed a lengthy following, individually and combined for the last 60+ years.
No one should be disappointed.
Packaged and written with care, and chock full of backstage insight, trivia, and revelations from two of the most popular former-child-stars of all time, “The Boys” is also a love letter to the brothers loving and devoted parents, Rance and Jean Howard.
Mother and father Howard sacrificed their own Hollywood dreams to ensure their son’s success. And while their dad did go on to enjoy a measure of fame as a character actor, their mom kept a low profile and a happy family, grounded.
There’s no telling what really and fully goes on in Hollywood behind-the-scenes, but “The Boys: A Memoir of Hollywood and Family” is just close as the reader is going to get.
A lovely true Hollywood story told with truth, humor, tasteful gossip (a new thing?), this book presents enough backstage revelations to keep the reader involved and caring. It’s a tribute to the entire Howard family and everyone who came to know them in both intimate and distant circles, be they friends, colleagues, or mainstream fans-now-turned-readers.
Herbie J Pilato, host of Then Again, a classic TV talk show streaming on Amazon Prime, is the author of several books about television. This article originally appeared at original.newsbreak.com. For more information, visit HerbieJPilato.com.