TOP 10 CLINT HOWARD* MOVIES OF ALL TIME!!!

August 3, 2001

Yep, Clint Howard Movies. The man who won the MTV Lifetime Achievement Award in 1998. You may be wondering -- and legitimately so -- why in the world anyone, anywhere would create a list of the Top 10 Clint Howard Movies. I wondered the same thing, particularly since the concept of the "Top 10 Clint Howard Movies" is almost an oxymoron, and I was to be the one to come up with them. Nevertheless, since Clint is The Hugh Hewitt Show's best -- and probably only -- even marginally big-time movie star listener, and since he went to all the trouble to drive with his lovely wife all the way to the studio to appear live on our August 3 show, we felt that the least we could do was to provide you with our list -- and Clint's list -- of the best movies that Clint Howard has ever been in**. So here they are:

	The Eye's Picks		Clint's Picks
10.		Ice Cream Man (1995): Not exactly a classic of American cinema, but it is about the only video in which Clint's mug graces the cover. Clint plays a slightly deranged ice cream man who meets an untimely end. But then Clint often meets an untimely end (see the classics Carnosaur and Ticks		Gentle Giant (1967): Clint made this movie when he was about 7 years old. It was supposed to be the progenitor for his TV series, Gentle Ben, but unfortunately for the movie, the TV series came out first. There went the box office.
9.		The Grinch: Not one of my favorite movies, but I thought Clint's character, Whobris -- get it? -- was outstanding.		Backdraft (1991): A fine film by -- who else? -- Ron Howard features Clint as a coroner who gives some valuable clues to Robert DeNiro.
8.		Backdraft (1991): See above.		Rock 'n' Roll High School (1979): Actually a pretty fun little movie, with Clint as Eaglebauer.
7.		The Wraith (1986): One of my favorite completely-lacking-in redeeming-social-value-trashy-movies. Clint has a memorable role as Rughead -- sort of Carrot Top on steroids.		Austin Powers International Man of Mystery (1997): Clint stars as Radio Operator Ritter, a small but pivotal part, which he actually reprises, sort of, in the sequel.
6.		Grand Theft Auto (1977): A fine first directing effort by Ron Howard, action-packed with lots of cars. Clint plays Ace.		The Courtship of Eddie's Father (1963): As you may notice, the picture on the video cover is not Clint, it's Ron. And Clint's not listed in the cast. And he was about 2 when it was made. But who am I to argue?
5.		The Waterboy (1998): One of my all-time silly movies, with Clint as the teams only fan, Paco: "I am not what you would call a handsome man. God did not choose to bless with me with good looks, athletic ability, or a fully functional brain. "		I Never Promised You a Rose Garden (1977): A pretty good -- although depressing -- movie about a young girl returning from a mental institution. Clint plays Catcher, reliving his baseball days at Burbank High
4.		Little Nicky (2000): Not a classic Adam Sandler movie, but funnier in a gross, disgusting way than a lot of other mainstream comedies. And Clint, as Nipples, sort of sets the standard for the movie.		Cocoon (1985): A fine movie that ages well -- as does its cast. Clint plays a nasty attendant who, as usual, gets his.
3.		My Dog Skip (2000): Clint plays the lesser-evil of two evil moonshiners/grave robbers, who beat up poor Skip and leave him for dead! What a cad.		Parenthood (1989): Although Steve Martin stars, Clint, as the crazy baseball father Lou, makes the most of his brief appearance.
2.		That Thing You Do! (1996): In this overlooked and underrated movie, Clint gets the best out of his part as the KJZZ disc jockey.		The Red Pony (1973): Now, technically, this entry should be disqualified. First, it was a TV movie -- although a fine TV movie with Henry Fonda, and second, it's not available anywhere. But you have to cut guest stars some slack.
1.		Apollo 13 (1995): Finally, we agree. Clint plays E.E.C.O.M. White -- and no, I don't know what E.E.C.O.M. stands for -- and actually plays a critical role in one of his brother's best movies. An all around fine film, well worth a watch if you haven't seen it..