Rating: 
Summary: BANQUET is a feast for MAME fans
Review: If you've enjoyed Mame in any of her incarnations (whether she was on the page or played by roz, angela, lucy, greer, bea lillie, ann miller or jo anne worley), you're gonna adore this photo-filled, delightfully breezy lovefest. Joradn has interviewed virtually everyone connected with the book, plays, and movies, and thanks to those oral histories, he has crafted a fascinating, lively, fast-paced backstage history for fans. His affection for the subject doesn't stop him from honest assessments (the justifiably brutal reviews for the lucy musical) and thanks to access to personal records and correspondents, he is even able to correct some of the erroneous stories that became "fact" once roz russell's autobiography was published. You'd have to have "braces on your brains" not to enjoy this delightful debut.
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting anecdotes, very weak presentation.
Review: It's wonderful to have a book that spins some interesting backstage yarns about the various productions of Auntie Mame, but don't expect anything more than that. The recording of oral anecdotes is valuable, but the author doesn't dig very deeply into the "meaning" of Auntie Mame, providing no real insights into the characteristics that have kept her so popular over the years. In fact, it seems as if he hasn't even read the original novel, though he does include a last, interesting chapter on the later years of Patrick Dennis. The writing style is pedestrian and the actual text is riddled with grammatical errors and typos to such a degree that I can scarely believe that this wasn't a vanity publication. Recommended only to die-hard fans of Auntie Mame, Angela Lansbury, or Rosalind Russell.
Rating:
Summary: A MUST HAVE for any Theater Fan!!
Review: Mr. Jordan passionatly and with much craft takes us on the journey of the story of Auntie Mame. There are several outstanding interviews with the players which brings the story to life. The book is a facinating look into the height of American Theater and gives much insight into the lives of those involved. Thanks to Mr. Jordan, this wonderful time in theater history will not be forgotten but will inspire a new generation of Mame lovers.
Rating:
Summary: Well writen and easy to read
Review: Rarely do I reread a book but Richard Jordan's Mame is so well writen and easy to read that I have found myself going through it again. Jordan is one of my favorite authors and no doubt has quite a future.If I could I would give it 6 stars
Rating: 
Summary: Fascinating Reading
Review: Richard Jordan writes about a subject he loves and in so doing, makes us love Mame even more than we may have from the start. Years of dedicated and meticulous research went into this entertaining history of the book/play/movie/musical and the time spent reading it just flies by. As a musical buff (if not a completely authoritative historian), I was fascinated to read so many interesting behind-the-scenes stories. And as an archivist at a major entertainment company, I fully appreciate the value in having certain long-standing rumors debunked. This book definitely belongs on the shelf of any fan of the legend that is Mame.
Rating:
Summary: Perfect for any theatre lover!
Review: Richard Jordan's delightful history of "Mame" is an easy read, full of terrific theatrical tales and bits of trivia that is perfect for any theatre-goer, and especially lovers of everyone's favorite Aunt. With the announcement that Streisand may do a TV version of "Mame", I hope that Mr. Jordan will write a follow-up detailing Barbra's trek through the world of Auntie Mame!
Rating:
Summary: From fiction to star to legend
Review: Richard Tyler Jordan has chronicled, with great style, eloquence, and obvious affection, the fascinating evolution of Patrick Dennis's fictional character into the larger-than-life status of legend. "Mame" cuts a wide swath as she leaves her mark on the gifted actresses, songwriters, composers, screenwriters, playwrights, producers, directors, and supporting casts of her various stage and screen incarnations. The discerning reader will find a thread of mystery with its subtle resolution. Every reader should find the journey between this book's covers both delightful and enlightening. "But Darling, I'm Your Auntie Mame!" would be an appropriate gift for your most intellectual friend, your most fun-loving friend, someone who reads one book a year, your feminist daughter, your therapist, or your own madcap aunt.
Rating:
Summary: A MUST HAVE for any Theater Fan!!
Review: Richard Tyler Jordan has created a breakthrough non-fiction book that is about, of all things, a fictional character. If you love literary icons, take a look at how an inventive writer handles a great topic. I recently saw Rosalind Russell's footprints at Mann's Chinese Theater in Hollywood. There, I heard people talking about why Mame is loved all over the world. Her philosophy about learning to live life to the fullest is timeless. Jordan's book was an informative read, full of those great behind-the-scenes stories that might have been lost if he hadn't taken time to collect them. This book would make a great documentary!
Rating:
Summary: A wonderfully fun glimpse of Hollywood and Broadway!
Review: Richard Tyler Jordan has created a breakthrough non-fiction book that is about, of all things, a fictional character. If you love literary icons, take a look at how an inventive writer handles a great topic. I recently saw Rosalind Russell's footprints at Mann's Chinese Theater in Hollywood. There, I heard people talking about why Mame is loved all over the world. Her philosophy about learning to live life to the fullest is timeless. Jordan's book was an informative read, full of those great behind-the-scenes stories that might have been lost if he hadn't taken time to collect them. This book would make a great documentary!
Rating:
Summary: Auntie Mame is as Fascinating as Ever!
Review: Richard Tyler Jordan takes the saga of Patrick Dennis' now-world-famous character of Mame Dennis from the moment the producers of the original Broadway triumph latched onto the idea of making a book into a play and take it through every major incarnation -- book to play to movie to musical to movie. Jordan's telling of these delightful stories are more terrific for his superb sense of pacing and tact. He tells those details about Broadway productions and theatre history that will pleasure the best readers of this book -- the fans and theatre-philes of the world. I read this from cover to cover in one sitting, and found myself roaring with laughter or breathless with anticipation about the casting of Angela Lansbury as Mame. Obviously, I knew the ending, but it is a tribute to Jordan's writing and extraordinary research that makes such a story filled with the best kind of tension! I believe it is clear that the real Auntie Mame -- Patrick Dennis aka Edward Everett Tanner, III, himself -- would have loved this book. What a triumph of theatre history writing where you feel like you had a front-row seat for every important performance!
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