JohnHowardReid Although the movie spawned a great Broadway success, "Auntie Mame" does not wholly succeed as a film. Morton DaCosta is chiefly to blame. His direction is not only inept, but dull. The screenplay is also wanting. It seems like a watered-down rather than an expanded version of the stage play. The garish photography, sets and costumes, the strident music score, and particularly Miss Russell's heavily theatrical performance also contribute. Admittedly, there are one or two laughs and maybe half-a-dozen dry smiles, but that's not enough to justify this length. At least 30 minutes could come out. The best scenes are those involving Peggy Cass, who went on to reprise her role with great success on Broadway.

Naught Moses Forrest Tucker was an acquaintance of my adoptive father's. Pa adored him in the "Crunch & Des" TV series from the mid-'50s but could not understand why he ever deigned to be a part of this "West Hollywood weirdness." (Dad spent a lot of time in WH in those days, but was very much a stranger in strange land.) I was too young to "get" all this in '58... BUT a lifetime in and around La and Palm Springs -- and their eccentricities -- was enough to elevate my consciousness. One might not wish to share in =all= the "fun," but let's face it: A little time outside the common cult-ural box most of us are forced to live in to make enough to pay the rent is good for everyone. They used to call shows like this "comedies of manners." Any wonder?

sixpence1106 This is one of my top 3 favorite movies. You might say I am obsessed with this movie. I have no idea how many times I have watched it. I have lost count. I can't imagine anyone playing Mame any better than Rosalind Russell. I agree with another reviewer, in reference to the movie Mame with Lucille Ball. I LOVE Lucille Ball, but Ms. Russell was the ultimate Mame. I really did not care for Mame at all. Auntie Mame is a wonderful movie. It will make you laugh, it will make you cry, but mostly it will give you so much joy. Auntie Mame loves life and lives it to the fullest. When she loves, its with her whole heart and soul. Its like her book.. Live Live Live. The movie takes you from Mame as a kooky free spirit with no responsibilities or cares, to now having a child that depends on her. But there are many times that you have to wonder who is taking care of who. Lots of fun and laughs...canapé with tuna and peanut butter, anyone?

Like_Wu_told_me Going into this movie, I had an open mind but expected a stagy, dated comedy. I was very pleasantly surprised to find a snappy, frank, and surprisingly fresh comedy filled with delightful performances and dialogue, colorful costumes and set designs, and a clichéd but solid message about life. Rosalind Russell plays Mame Dennis, who takes in her nephew Patrick (Jan Handzlik) after her brother unexpectedly dies. What ensues is a very fun romp about the adventures and trials of Mame and Patrick over 9 years as he grows up and they weather the Great Depression. The film is populated by a wide assortment of colorful, entertaining characters and comedic situations. And, for a 54-year-old movie, I actually found it to be hilarious. I laughed out loud several times throughout, for example when Mame at one point tries to mount a horse, and the dialogue is genuinely funny without straining too hard, with jokes rarely falling flat. The film's comedic success is amplified by its enormous heart, which takes center stage during several dramatic, emotional moments. The film wears its heart on its sleeve but never lapses into overdone sentimentality. As the movie's famous line goes, "Life's a banquet, and some poor suckers are starving to death." The film's message to live your own way and to the fullest no matter what really resonates, even if it is a bit unoriginal. The film takes thinly veiled shots at the norms, prejudices, and judgments of mid-20th century American society. It has a blast shooting down anti-Semitism, socioeconomic elitism, social judgment (involving such topics as unmarried pregnancy), to name a few, and it's 143-minute runtime flies by. The film itself, especially the cast, seems to be having a great time as it progresses, and I couldn't help but to be sucked right in. The performances are very good across the board. Rosalind Russell is just perfect as Mame, capturing her larger-than-life personality and big heart. She's an ace at spouting out the character's lightning-fast lines with impeccable comic timing. Coral Browne also gives a great comic performance as Vera, although she doesn't have as much depth as Russell. The rest of the supporting cast are all very good as well. Jan Handzlik is endearing and funny as a young Patrick, and Peggy Cass is outstanding in a paper-thin role (she did a good job, but her Oscar nomination is perplexing). I also thought Joanna Barnes was a riot as Gloria, and Lee Patrick and Willard Waterman are excellent as her parents. Overall, Auntie Mame is a hugely entertaining, even uplifting movie filled with wacky characters, spot-on comedic performances, hilarious writing, and a big heart. It's not the deepest movie you'll ever see, or the least conventional, but it's an absolute delight. Highly recommended.