Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
Thedramaticrelationship between Ray Kroc, the man who amassed afortune as chairman of one of America s most controversial and iconic companies McDonald s and the passionate woman, his wife, Joan, who then gave that fortune away.
RAY & JOAN is a quintessentially American tale of corporate intrigue and private passion: a struggling Mad Men-era salesman with a vision for a fast-food franchise that would become one of the world s most enduring brands, and a beautiful woman willing to risk her marriage and her reputation to promote controversial causes that touched her deeply.
Ray Kroc was peddling franchises around the country for a fledgling hamburger stand in the 1950s McDonald s, it was called around the country, when he entered a St. Paul supper club and encountered a beautiful young piano player who would change his life forever. The attraction between Ray and Joan was instantaneous, and instantly problematic. Yet even the fact that both were married to other people couldn t derail their roller-coaster of a romance.
Just as their relationship twisted and turned dramatically, the fortunes of Ray s new business came perilously close to failure. Ultimately Ray wrested control of McDonald s from the original founders; in short order the successful burger stand in the desert of California would be transformed into a stock market sensation and international brand. At the same time, Joan was separately playing her own part in the building of McDonald s, both as the wife of an early franchisee and Ray s secret confidante, a role she d officially take on when they finally married, a dozen years after meeting, in 1969.
To the outside world, Ray and Joan were happy, enormously rich, and giving. But privately, Joan was growing troubled over Ray s temper and dark secret, something she was reluctant to publicly reveal. Those close to them compared their relationship to that of Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. And yet, this volatility paved the way for Joan s transformation into one of the greatest philanthropists of our time. A force in the peace movement, she produced activist films, books, and music, and ultimately gave away billions of dollars, including landmark gifts to the Salvation Army and NPR.
Together, the two stories form a compelling portrait of the twentieth century: a story of big business, big love, and big giving.
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Synopsis
This fall, the movie The Founder, starring Michael Keaton, will focus the spotlight on Ray Kroc, the man who amassed a fortune as the chairman of McDonalds. But what about his wife, Joan, the woman who became famous for giving away his fortune? Lisa Napoli tells the fascinating story behind the historic couple.
Ray & Joan is a quintessentially American tale of corporate intrigue and private passion: a struggling Mad Men era salesman with a vision fora fast-food franchise that would become one of the world s most enduring brands, and a beautiful woman willing to risk her marriage and her reputation to promote controversial causes that touched her deeply.
Ray Kroc was peddling franchises around the country for a fledgling hamburger stand in the 1950s McDonald s, it was called when he entered a St. Paul supper club and encountered a beautiful young piano player who would change his life forever. The attraction between Ray and Joan was instantaneous and instantly problematic. Yet even the fact that both were married to other people couldn t derail their roller coaster of a romance.
To the outside world, Ray and Joan were happy, enormously rich, and giving. But privately, Joan was growing troubled over Ray s temper and dark secret, something she was reluctant to publicly reveal. Those close to them compared their relationship to that of Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. And yet, this volatility paved the way for Joan s transformation into one of the greatest philanthropists of our time. A force in the peace movement, she produced activist films, books, and music and ultimately gave away billions of dollars, including landmark gifts to the Salvation Army and NPR.
Together, the two stories form a compelling portrait of the twentieth century: a story of big business, big love, and big giving.
"