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)

Honest and interesting

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

Listening to the author read in her own voice was great, but she isn't young Laverne anymore. It took a bit of time to get used to her 'mature' sound. I felt that at moments she was going through the motions of reading the words, but for the most part she delivered her part in an honest, matter of fact way. She never apologizes for the choices she made. She was living her life as we all do...one day at a time.

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

The opening is pretty funny-getting robbed by ninjas. There are moments that the emotion gets the better of her. It made her very likeable!

Which character – as performed by Penny Marshall – was your favorite?

Herself

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I reached a point that I didn't want to 'put it down' (stop listening).

Any additional comments?

I felt that she did what her mother taught her to do, 'entertain people'.

Funny-

I listened to Garry Marshall's book recently- that made this book even better because I already knew her mother was nuts. Her narration was great....casual and full of idiosyncrasies.

I took lessons with Marjorie

Would you listen to My Mother Was Nuts again? Why?

Already re-started the book to share with my husband and have gifted copies to my Mom and sister. We lived off the Grand Concourse, played at the Oval, shopped at Alexander's, hung out at the Parkway and went to JHS 80. Oh, and our Dad graduated from DeWitt Clinton High, and my older sister changed her address so she could go to Evander instead of Walton (which I escaped by qualifying for the HS of Music and Art). As a toddler I took jazz-tap-and -ballet from Marjorie Marshall in the apartment building basement, who was a local celebrity exactly as described. The Bronx was, indeed, the center of our universe and to hear it described in such truthful and loving detail was moving beyond words. If none of the above makes sense to you, read the book.

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

The book was beautifully written and read with every ounce of humanity, humor and pathos it deserves. It made me laugh and cry. Penny is so much more than the natural sitcom comedienne she is credited with being. She is wild, worldly, generous, has a huge heart full of wisdom, and as a director deserves two or three Oscar nominations. Much love to you Penny, from a Bronx home girl.

So-so listen

While the story was interesting I found it difficult to listen to the narration after a while.

Penny Marshall is a Talent

What did you like best about this story?

I liked learning about the many facets of Penny Marshall's talent. Her anecdotes about people in show business were fun to listen to.

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

Her unique voice adds a lot to this autobiography because it is as if she is sitting in your living room sipping wine and telling her tales.

Hollywood behind the scenes

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

Haven't read the print version.

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

Perhaps to Jay Leno's autobiography with lots of tales about his mother. Also hilariousl

Which character – as performed by Penny Marshall – was your favorite?

Penny herself.

Any additional comments?

I have enjoyed this book more than I expected to.

Funny

Where does My Mother Was Nuts rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It was so funny and very interesting.

What did you like best about this story?

I love the way Penny Marshall read her book. She could put her own feelings and emotions into the book

Which scene was your favorite?

Hum? I liked when she discussed the making of Big.

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

It made me laugh.

great memoir

Was a heart warming, funny & real memoir. well written & even better if you listen to the audio book

Loved this book

Penny made me laugh and cry. I love her and so glad to hear her story...
Thanks for writing it!

Thoroughly enjoyed

I thoroughly enjoyed this autobiography, especially because the author read it herself. I was very familiar with the roles she has acted, but didn't realize how many films she was responsible for. I enjoyed hearing about all the celebrities that were a part of her life.