He is a reminder that even the most successful directors can face difficult challenges on set.
Famous director Ron Howard started his career as a director with the made-for-television picture “Skyward,” which he views as an amazing experience. However, working with legendary actress Bette Davis posed its challenges for Howard.
Following his departure from the hit sitcom “Happy Days” in 1980, Howard started work on the movie “Skyward,” which was based on a script by his former co-star Anson Williams. In the film, Bette Davis plays a flying instructor who unwillingly agrees to teach a paraplegic girl how to fly.
“Skyward” was crucial for Howard in showcasing his directing ability to studios. But working with Bette Davis—who passed away in 1989—turned out to be a bit of a challenge. According to the director, Davis took some time to warm up to both Howard and the young actor Gilstrap.
The first time they spoke, Davis addressed Howard as “Mr. Howard” over the phone, delaying using a more friendly tone of voice until she made up her mind about whether or not she liked him. When the filming started, Davis made getting along with Howard more difficult.
Howard thought Davis would like it if he showed up on site the first day wearing a suit and tie modeled after the style used by famous directors in the 1940s. When he approached her, Davis made a humiliating remark since she thought he was a kid approaching her, saying, “‘Oh! I was so startled! It’s you! I saw this child walking toward me, and I thought, what in the world could this child have to say to me?’”
Howard and the cast both chuckled, which reduced the tension as he continued to give her scene instructions. He disclosed, “The crew laughed, and I laughed. And everybody laughed, and I popped a couple of Tums and went in and gave her the direction, and she was fine.” With that, Davis eventually warmed up to Howard and expressed her gratitude for his leadership.
In one scenario, she openly announced that Howard was correct and the atmosphere had changed after putting his advice into practice. By the end of the day, Davis started addressing him as “Ron” instead of “Mr. Howard” and even went so far as to touch his behind playfully, which Howard thought was a huge icebreaker.
On the “Skyward” set, the friendship between Bette Davis and Ron Howard developed from a fairly tense connection to one of respect and friendliness. Howard’s ability to gain Davis’ approval and his tenacity surely helped him build a solid reputation as a filmmaker.
As he reflected on this early experience, it became evident that “Skyward” was essential in determining Howard’s professional path and that his complicated working relationship with Bette Davis had a lasting impact on the filmmaker.
