My Mother Was Nuts

A Memoir

By: Penny Marshall

Narrated by: Penny Marshall

Length: 8 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

Most people know Penny Marshall as the director of Big and A League of Their Own. What they don’t know is her trailblazing career was a happy accident. In this funny and intimate memoir, Penny takes us from the stage of The Jackie Gleason Show in 1955 to Hollywood’s star-studded sets, offering up some hilarious detours along the way.

My Mother Was Nuts is an intimate backstage pass to Penny’s personal life, her breakout role on The Odd Couple, her exploits with Cindy Williams and John Belushi, and her travels across Europe with Art Garfunkel on the back of a motorcycle. We see Penny get married. And divorced. And married again (the second time to Rob Reiner). We meet a young Carrie Fisher, whose close friendship with Penny has spanned decades. And we see Penny at work with Tom Hanks, Mark Wahlberg, Whoopi Goldberg, Robert De Niro, and Whitney Houston.

Throughout it all, from her childhood spent tap dancing in the Bronx, to her rise as the star of Laverne & Shirley, Penny lived by simple rules: “try hard, help your friends, don’t get too crazy, and have fun.” With humor and heart, My Mother Was Nuts reveals there’s no one else quite like Penny Marshall.

©2012 Penny Marshall (P)2012 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“There's as much practical, hard-won advice here as there is Hollywood gossip, and Marshall's boundless energy and no-nonsense attitude make for a fun read.” (Publishers Weekly)

“Hollywood aficionados will get a kick out of Marshall’s anecdotes about her circle of friends, including Albert Brooks, John Belushi, and Carrie Fisher, all told in a funny, down-to-earth manner.” (Booklist)

“Penny Marshall is a fascinating woman who has lived a life few of us could survive. Did you know she gave me two of the best jobs I’ve ever had? Of course not, because when she talks she is barely comprehensible. Read her memoir and you’ll come to love her as much as I do.” (Tom Hanks)

💙Penny💜

This books was a lovely read. I found myself obsessing a bit and not wanting to stop listening. I adore the layers of detail Penny dripped into this story. Her childhood stories are just as fascinating if not more fascinating than her Hollywood tales.

Penny’s voice and enveloping Bronx accent is to die for. I couldn’t get enough of her tone and delivery. It is so clear how much NYC has shaped her and her ability to articulate the connection she has to the City is heartfelt, even for me a Midwest girl.

I laughed and fought back tears all throughout this book. Penny’s authenticity is something to be admired. I would recommend this book to anyone who treasures: friendship, family, travel, entertainment, humor and just plain likes Penny Marshall.

I was eager to learn more about Riding in Cars with Boys as it is my favorite Penny film. Penny reminded me of many evaluable lessons throughout this story and as it relates to Cars that was, not to have expectations. All the things I hoped she‘d felt in making the movie couldn’t have been more wrong. Her cool, calm, collected nature and no bullshit, fluffy stuff personality is greatly admired.

Interesting life

once you get passed her nasal Bronx voice she weaves a tale of her experiences in Hollywood and NY of high profile friends, drugs, and her rise to be a movie director. pretty impressive

Loved it!

Love Penny and loved the book :) You can't go wrong with this read...lots of interesting and funny stories that made me get strange looks while flying from my seat mates!

A unique book by a unique individual..

Loved the book. It gave a great perspective to a world I will never know.

I ENJOYED THIS VERY MUCH. Penny is very funny!!

What made the experience of listening to My Mother Was Nuts the most enjoyable?

minimum of 15 words? well, I just loved listening to her. her voice alone made me laugh.
I don't think I would have enjoyed it as much reading it myself. AUDIO BOOKS ARE THE BEST INVENTION EVER!!!

Any additional comments?

If you like Penny marshal its a must! I had forgotten about her being on the very first episode of 'Saturday Night Live' and all the great movies she directed. I LOVED THIS BOOK!

Penny!

What did you love best about My Mother Was Nuts?

The numerous famous people that the author had crossed paths with as a child and young woman before she entered the entertainment world of acting and directing.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It made me laugh and cry.

Like Comfort Food Read By a Friend

What's not to like? The book just wouldn't be the same if it weren't read by Penny Marshall but it took me a bit to get used to her voice. By the end of her book I still wanted to hear more, so maybe my ears were the problem. I'm just glad I came across My Mother Was Nuts. Penny Marshall is so much more than LaVerne. She shares her ups, downs and adventuring all arounds, with honesty and heart. My Mother Was Nuts is like a visit from an old friend. I hope Penny stops by again soon.

loved it

If you could sum up My Mother Was Nuts in three words, what would they be?

pure Penny Marshall

What about Penny Marshall’s performance did you like?

I loved that she was reading her own words--cannot fake that voice & accent.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

you can overcome your mother's raising

Any additional comments?

thoroughly enjoyable

Refreshing Alternative

Would you consider the audio edition of My Mother Was Nuts to be better than the print version?

Listening to Penny Marshall read this book is like listening to a friend (albiet from the New York part of the country) talk to you. Don't expect a slick read. That isn't this book and I dont think that that is Ms. Marshall. Sometimes fast. Sometime gravily. All the time Bronx.

What was one of the most memorable moments of My Mother Was Nuts?

The example she displayed in her support of the NYC firefighters (as well as NYC itself) after 9-11.

What does Penny Marshall bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Her. If I read the book I would be hearing my voice, my pauses, my emotion .. not hers. Her reading is classic Laverne.

Any additional comments?

I usually read history books so this book was a stretch for me. I had an extra credit so "what the heck" I thought. I remembered enjoying her tv show, so why not buy the book.

In a way this was a history lesson of sorts. The people she has known; the relationships and loyalty she extended to so many and the way she lived her chronicled 4 decades made me think that her life is indeed a well lived one.

Unlike a lot of public figures, I think she has shown us thru her book that working hard and being responsible and respectful - done with a good dose of honesty and humor -that life ends up working out. Maybe her mama wasn't all that nuts .......

Well Done Penny

What did you love best about My Mother Was Nuts?

Her truthfulness.

What other book might you compare My Mother Was Nuts to and why?

Wish I knew one.

What does Penny Marshall bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Her humor & how she felt about her life experiences.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Everyone's lucky Penny

Any additional comments?

Thoroughly enjoy listening to this book...sorry it is over.