Rating: 
Summary: "Life is a banquet!"
Review: I absolutely LOVE this movie! "Auntie Mame" has to be one of the best films I have ever watched! Rosalind Russell is excellent as the eccentric Mame Dennis. The story follows Patrick Dennis, who, after his father passes away, is placed in the custody of his not-so-conservative aunt. Mame exposes Patrick to ALL of splendors of life, most of which his father wanted to keep him far, far away from. However, Mame always showed her incredible adoration for her "little love," and made sure that he didn't grow up to be a stuffy, conservative, bigot (much like his father).Although I have seen the version of this film with Lucille Ball starring as the title character, I have to say that Rosalind Russell is THE Mame Dennis! Lucille Ball was very good, but I think this version is much, much better! If you want to be thoroughly entertained, buy and watch this movie! I would also check reading the book of the same name by Patrick Dennis. It will keep you laughing the whole time!
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Summary: Life's A Banquet--and Auntie Mame Invites You To It
Review: The Patrick Dennis novel was a runaway bestseller--and it was soon followed by a stage version starring Rosalind Russell, who was born to play the madcap Mame in this story of an eccentric, fast-living society woman of the 1920s who "inherits" her nephew when her brother died. Determined to "open doors" for her adoring nephew, Mame exposes to him everything from bootleg gin to oddball characters--all the while doing battle with her nephew's ultra-conservative trustee, who is equally determined that the boy's life remain free of "certain influences." This is a knockout show, and Rosalind Russell delivers a knockout performance in it--easily her finest comedy performance since 1939's THE WOMEN. She is extremely well supported by the sadly under-acknowledged Coral Brown in the role of Vera Charles, an actress who passes out in Mame's apartment with considerable regularity, and Forrest Tucker as the Southern gentleman who becomes her knight in shining honor; the supporting cast, which includes Fred Clark, Peggy Cass (particularly memorable as Agnes Gooch, Jan Handzlik, Roger Smith, and Joanna Barnes is equally flawless. The infamous "production code" was still somewhat in force when AUNTIE MAME was filmed, and consequently several of the play's most famous lines had to be re-written--but this scarcely gets in the way of Russell and company, and director DaCosta offers a brilliant compromise between the art of cinema and the "set piece" nature of the stage show. The production values are rich, the score is memorable, and everything about the show is a tremendous amount of fun; by the time it ends, you'll wish that Auntie Mame was yours. Although there were a few minutes when I felt the film had been slightly cropped, the DVD version offers a visually stunning print of the film in its original ratio, and the sound is quite good as well. The few extras are nothing to speak of--but frankly, it hardly matters: this is one film you'll be glad to have on DVD, for you're likely to wear out a VHS in short order. If you need a good laugh, especially one with a slightly satricial edge, you'll adore AUNTIE MAME from start to finish. One of my favorite films, and strongly recommended.
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Summary: A Banquet of Fantastic Possibilities
Review: Based on the biography by Patrick Dennis, Auntie Mame follows the madcap adventures of Patrick and his screwball aunt. She's a free spirit with an edge, caught in the great depression and several lurid romances that round out the plot. One thing remains strong throughout this film, young Patrick's great love and admiration for the woman who ultimately raised him. It's so nice to see that there are some grateful children around who appreciate an adult's influence in their lives.
Warner Home Video has done an outstanding job of remastering the film. Image quality is sharp. Colors are vibrant. There is some fine film grain present and the occasional chip or blemish on the original camera negative but over all this is one humdinger of a visual experience. The audio is stereophonic and presented with great clarity and sweeping expanse, particularly in its orchestral scoring. Presented in its original Technirama (2:35:1) aspect ratio and enhanced for 16X9 televisions. Unfortunately there are no extras, save a few isolated music cues and theatrical trailer. Oh well, the quality of the film transfer more than makes up for that. A definite must have.
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Summary: Auntie Mame Rocks!!!
Review: Rosalind Russell plays the auntie every wishes was their own auntie. From the days where Mame hosts wild paries to the arrival of her nephew Patrick who's presence make Mame become more maternal. The battle's Mame faces with Patrick's trustee, the irritation between Mame and her best friend, actress Vera Charles, the short lived attemps at work, her attempts at horse riding and the way she helps Patrick see how his girlfriend is out of his league are great comedy touches. Rosalind Russell jumped at the chance of being offered the role of Auntie Mame as both share the same life philosophy "Live Live Live" and "Life is a banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death". This is a great movie and though Mame matures throughout the film she still remains the same eccentric lovable Auntie Mame. Whilst Patrick Dennis is Auntie Mam'es nephew, he isn't the same Patrick Dennis who write the book as the writers real name was Edward Everett Tanner III. Rosalind Russell also did the Broadway show of Auntie Mame until she decided to call it a day due to other work commitments when Angela Lansbury took over the role of Mame. This is a great DVD and includes the original trailers for this version of Auntie Mame and the 1974 version with Lucille Ball. A must have DVD but be warned it is very addictive as once closing credits have finished you just wanna see it all again - well it works that way for me. hehe :-)
Rating:
Summary: The Best!
Review: Whats a FUN movie! It has been a favorite of mine since I was a child. A great story and fun message "live, live live!"
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Summary: So Top Drawer!
Review: This is Rosalind Russell's masterpiece! The tale of Auntie Mame and her adventures is for everyone. Due to circumstances beyond all control, Mame is greeted one fine morning with the sight of her young nephew Patrick and his conservator. It seems that poor Patrick has no other relatives left but dear Mame to look after him. After the fog from the night before (due to one of Mame's legendary parties), Mame is at once overcome with emotion at the thought of being responsible for another human, other than making sure her high-society theatre pals get to bed after a night of a tad too many cocktails! We see Patrick and Mame grow up before our eyes over the years. We see the financial bad times, and the oh so high times. We witness the happiness which Mame finally finds with her husband Beau, only to meet his end tragically in the Swiss Alps. We then see Patrick find love, or so he thinks, and live through those "Upson Downs". Then there is Mame's book, aptly titled "Live, Live, Live!". Throughout all of this are countless scenes of Rosalind delivering her remarkable wit through this character. The dialogue is hilarious, the costumes audacious and the sets themselves...astonishing (as Mame's life transitions, so does her hair and her sprawling New York apartment decor). The entire cast was exceptional, perfect fit!!! There is so much more to this film, so do yourself a favor darling, get it, pop it in and prepare to Live! Live! Live!
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Summary: Rosalind Russell is Auntie Mame now on WideScreen DVD!
Review: AOL/Time Warner and Warner Brothers does an outstanding job bringing us "Auntie Mame" digitally remastered DVD and enhanced for widescreen tvs. The widescreen color and sound presented are absolutely fantastic and we get to thoroughly enjoy Rosalind Russells performance as "Auntie Mame". Summary: Rosalind Russell reprises her Broadway Play role as Mame and received a Golden Globe Award and an Oscar Nomination. The setting is 1928 New York & Ten year old Patrick Dennis goes to live with only surviving family member rich eccentric "Auntie Mame" after his father dies. The zany Mame is his guardian but an estate lawyer is in charge of the boys strict inheritance requirements. Mame & Patrick immediately have a true devotion to each other and try to outwit the lawyers strict rules. Through Mames advant garde life style loses close control of her nephews upbringing and Patrick is sent off to boarding school. The Depression occurs and Mames money is lost so she must climb her way to the top with her eccentric friends. This movie is a typical 1950's Broadway/Hollywood extravaganza with the promised traditional happy ending after many obstacles & detours along the way. Special Features: Music-Only Sound track, Theatrical Trailers Cast / Director highlights. This is a most delightful movie for the family and brings the audience to 1950's world of Hollywood and the grand style of movie making. Russell is "Mame". Enjoy.
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Summary: Great Movie!! DVD could of had more extras But Great DVD!
Review: I say more Rosalind Russell movies need to be released on DVD!
There aren't enough!
"Auntie Mame" is a great feel good movie and this DVD does it justice with a fantastic transfer by Warner Home Video.
It would have been nice if more extras were included for this timeless classic but it's still worth every penny.
The only extras included are a music only track that may confuse buyers unfamiliar with the two different movie versions one being this non-musical and the other musical.
Two trailers one for this film and the other for the very campy "Lucy" musical "Mame" version.
As for the hate for that Lucy version people have, I will agree with the fact that Lucy, even though I do love Lucy, Is a horrible version and Lucy doesn't have enough energy to play Mame Dennis. She seems tired and tries too hard to bring her to life. But I will say I do like Lucy's version in a much different way, In a Campy way.
But the real energizing Mame Dennis is the late great Roz!!!... She could have done the musical herself!
I want to know is when is roz's "Rosie" being released!
This is a film that never seen any light on video in any form EVER!
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Summary: Life Is A Banquet, and Most Poor Suckers are Starving
Review: I don't use the term "perfect" lightly. But Auntie Mame is surely one of the most perfect comedies ever made. If you're not splitting your sides with laughter by the time Patrick rushes into Mame's bedroom, throwing open the draperies to share his latest discovery, only to be asked by a "hung" Mame, "Patrick, darling. How can you see with all that light?" In that case, my friend, you are beyond all help or hope.Auntie Mame is sheer fun from the opening credits until the final fadeout. Lavish photography, a rapier-sharp script, an enchanting musical score, and Rosiland Russell in a tour-de-force perfomance give us a reminder of what the Movies are all about. Auntie Mame was a best-selling novel , a popular stage play, that was adapted into an award-winning Boradway musical with Angela Lansbury in the title role of Mame, before it was done to death by an aging Lucille Ball .The DVD of Auntie Mame restores the freshness, spectacle , and genuine warmth and vitality of the original film. Buy it, and when it arrives, call the bootlegger, mix the martinis, and just drape the furs on the Gooch, and sit back and enjoy a "perfect" movie. All I can honestly say is that if you're going to see it for the first time, I'm very, very jealous.
Rating:
Summary: Live! Live! Live!
Review: I couldn't wait until this movie came out on DVD. And when it did I just had to buy it. I was not disappointed in my purchase. The DVD quality picture and sound sure made this a better movie to watch. Rosalind Russel was superb, and very believable in character.
Eventhough this movie was origanlly released in the 1950s, the humor is still funny today. I had first seen this movie as a little girl (although not too long ago:) and it is still one of my favorites. However, now I have a perspective of an adult watching the movie and now I understand more of the humor. I am referring to the vocabulary building scene between young Patrick and Auntie Mame, as a girl of 6 most if not all the words I didn't understand. And my mother didn't want me to understand, not until I got much older of course:) I never get tired of watching this movie. And this is a wonderful addition to any DVD collection, especially if you love classic comedies.
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