BURBANK, Calif. — Add undercover detective work to the list of perks that director Garry Marshall provides for his ever-growing family of stars.
Before Julia Roberts and Jennifer Aniston faced the press at the April 13 Hollywood premiere of his latest ensemble comedy Mother's Day, Marshall took an early stroll down the red carpet — not just to talk up the movie, but also to ferret out gossipy scribes.
"Some journalists are pestier than others, so I find out where the pests are," says Marshall, 81, recalling the story from his office. "I am careful with my actors and actresses. I come back and tell them, 'Watch out for this one' or that one. People are surprised I do that. But I watch out for them even after the movie is over."
Sure, Marshall has a longstanding reputation as a hitmaker and star creator with classics such as 1990's Pretty Woman (which propelled Roberts to stardom), 1999's Runaway Bride and 2001's The Princess Diaries (which sent Anne Hathaway into the stratosphere).
But it's also his caring, even paternal, attitude which continues to bring his loyal A-list stars to movies such as Mother’s Day (in theaters Friday), the third of Marshall's celebrity-filled, holiday-themed comedies after 2010’s Valentine’s Day and 2011’s New Year’s Eve.
His new film relays intertwining, mother-themed stories featuring Aniston, in her first Marshall film; Roberts, in her fourth; and Kate Hudson, who not only starred in Marshall's Raising Helen (2004) but also yelled "Action!" from Marshall's lap as a kid when her mother, Goldie Hawn, starred in 1987’s Overboard.
”And on Mother’s Day I had Kate’s son (Bingham) on my lap when Kate was acting,” says Marshall. “It’s all circles. I know the family. I see them grow.”
The spirit on Marshall’s set is all about family, including incorporating longtime friend Hector Elizondo (18 films and counting) and a cameo for Marshall's wife of 53 years, Barbara. Kids, partners and friends are welcome on the set, and Marshall keeps it loose all the way through the wrap party, where he plays the drums with a cast-and-crew band.
"For Garry, family is first," says Heather Hall, his assistant of 22 years, who served as a producer for Mother's Day. "Life is more important than show business. That is his motto."
One typical Mother's Day scene featured Aniston and Roberts, along with a host of family and friends, including Roberts' sister Lisa. Aniston flubbed a take by saying "Julia" instead of the character's name, Miranda.
“Jennifer immediately went, ‘Argghhh,’ " says Marshall. “But it became a gag reel moment. I like when we laugh and have a good time. That was fun that day.”
It’s the kind of day Marshall hopes to have with his stars again. He recalls saying farewell to Aniston as she took off to shoot another comedy, Office Christmas Party.
“As she left, I told her to send me her script, I’ll punch it up. I don’t say that casually. If it’s a comedy, I can fix something,” says Marshall. “People know if they need something, they can call me. I’m there if there’s a problem.”
