I Still Find Mame on Film Charming...

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 6/30/07 at 12:50pm

I haven't seen it since I was a kid, but I'm sitting here watching it with utter delight. Sure, its not award worthy, but its a sweet film, Lucy has charm despite vocal problems, much of the supporting cast is top notch, and the choreography is quite good.

Anyone else have a sweet spot for this film?

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 6/30/07 at 1:09pm

They did an incredible job with the DVD release. Great print. Even that great photo of Lucille Ball as Mame on the Main Menu page is gorgeous.

Great to see that they included that promotional featurette as it's basically the only thing ever done for the film. Same goes for that sensational trailer, which DOES give the film a sort of 'major event' tone, which didn't turn out to be.

And of course...it's in anamorphic widescreen.

[bschneid76]

Posted: 6/30/07 at 1:11pm

I love my new copy of the film! It's great! Lucy is fun, but Bea is amazing! So is Robert Preston. I do enjoy the Title Song sequence.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 6/30/07 at 1:22pm

I love the choreography for "It's Today!"

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 6/30/07 at 1:33pm

Onna White in her trademark high-energy style.

She also did the choreography for the film-version of BYE BYE BIRDIE, so she's responsible for that super high-energy dancing in the "Lotta Livin' to Do" number:

Ann-Margret in her "Lotta Livin' to Do" costume:

[nealb1]

Posted: 6/30/07 at 2:15pm

"It's Today" is a wonderful opening number in the film and in the stage version.

Seeing the title number in wide-screen, and on a cleaned up print is fantastic!

Lucy never looked better....and, her costumes are fantastic! Bea Arthur is absolutely brilliant as Vera. And, the 2 of them together have a terrific chemistry. Between Bea's glaring looks...one takes..and her line deliveries, they shine!

The film has been changed quite a bit...and, other subplots removed....Mame writing a book, Mr. Babcock and Junior Babcock..


Updated On: 6/30/07 at 02:15 PM

[bschneid76]

Posted: 6/30/07 at 2:19pm

I love Lucy doing the "Charleston" type dance at the beginning of "It's Today"

And I love Bea's line when she awakes in the bathtub:
"Someone's be sleeping in my dress!"

"Mame, you look awful!"
"Vera, my old old old friend!"

[nealb1]

Posted: 6/30/07 at 2:31pm

I really love the scene where Vera screams...GET A HACKSAW! CUT HER ARM OFF!!!! Then she goes into her dressing room, slaps her dresser, and the dresser slaps her back.

I do have an edited version of "Mame" on audio cassette from a tv airing. In the movie, Vera says, "I have an astromonical discovery for you. The man in the moon is a bitch." In my version of "Mame," she says another line...."I told you you didn't have any talent when we were in the chorus together." Which makes total and complete sense as earlier in the film, Vera told Mame, quite a few times, that she was NEVER in the chorus!

It's too bad that the dvd didn't include "alternate scenes" of cleaned up words.

Lucy in "It's Today" is marvelous. She looks so fantastic in the red pajama jumpsuit and black hair. She dances, sings, and I love her long cigarette holder that she has. I love it when we first see Bea Arthur as Vera....and, then she passes out and it carried upstairs. PRICELESS!!!

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 6/30/07 at 3:07pm

I love her read dress towards the end. Stunning.

[nealb1]

Posted: 6/30/07 at 3:20pm

Yes, that "sweet little dress" that she wears when the Upsons come over, is a quite a showstopper. I'm really surprised that "Mame" wasn't nominated for Best Costumes at Oscar time??

[JohnBoy2]

Posted: 6/30/07 at 3:24pm

Onna White is the greatest film choreographer, imo. Nobody touches her versitility, on film. Having seen the original cast of Mame, on Broadway (also with Onna's choreography), I was very disappointed in the film version, particularly the changes made to "It's Today" and the loss of "That's How Young I Feel", which was my favorite number on stage). However, I've grown to appreciate it, for what it is, over the years. Haven't gotten the new DVD yet, but I will.
Updated On: 6/30/07 at 03:24 PM

[musicaltheater1]

Posted: 6/30/07 at 4:55pm

I got the DVD recently as well and yes...Bea is amazing and deserved the Tony for the stage version. Lucy is a natural comedian, not a singer but she's not bad in the film. The kid is good too.

I've only seen the original Rosalind Russell movie and was wondering why the romantic development between Patrick and the maid (originally a decorator?) was eliminated. The ending looked rushed.

Updated On: 6/30/07 at 04:55 PM

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 6/30/07 at 4:57pm

The young Patrick is adorable.

[me2]

Posted: 7/1/07 at 5:35pm

I love this movie! Yes, I get why Ball's interpretation may not be the best, but she's light on her feet and sharp on the comic stuff. Mame doesn't need a great singer, just a great actor with charm, like Dolly.

If you watch it without ideas of what it should be, it's very enjoyable.

Has Jerry Herman ever publicly commented on it? I know he once said that he's started to appreciate the Dolly film.
Broadway Blog: From the Mouth of Alan Jay Lerner

[nealb1]

Posted: 7/1/07 at 5:45pm

A few years back I was in "Mame" at Musical Theatre West in Long Beach, California. Carol Lawrence was Mame, Ruth Williamson was Vera and Sally Struthers was Gooch. Jerry Herman came to one of our last rehearsals and Opening Night. I chatted with him at great length about "Mame"....the film version and the rumors about a tv version.

He said that he never wanted Lucille Ball to do the film version. But, he had absolutely no say so in the decision. That's why if there were to be a tv musical version of it, he would have casting approval. He said that Bette Midler is completely wrong for Mame...she'd be a fantastic Gooch. He didn't want Cher...at all. I told him that one of my favorite Mame's was Juliet Prowse...I had toured with her in the mid 90's. He completely agreed with me. Mame has to be a sophisticated, glamorous, elegant, woman. So, when Mame is funny, it's all the more funny.

He was very, very nice and it was a thrill to have him at our Opening Night.

I still love the film "Mame." If you just sit down and watch it...it's very enjoyable when you don't bring all the "baggage" with it.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 7/1/07 at 5:47pm

I enjoyed it but would have like it more with Lansbury

Hollywood always makes the same boneheaded mistake of replacing a hit musicals star with a name

[Wicked63]

Posted: 7/1/07 at 5:50pm

Haent seen it since the good old bad old days of VHS. It'll be in my collection on Friday. Dontcha just love that cover art
Updated On: 7/1/07 at 05:50 PM

[me2]

Posted: 7/1/07 at 5:53pm

Wow! Thanks for the info, nealb1.
Broadway Blog: From the Mouth of Alan Jay Lerner

[nealb1]

Posted: 7/1/07 at 5:55pm

That's very true. When a Broadway play or musical is made into a film, it's very rare that the person who originated the role, is even considered.

Show Business is just that.......it's a business. It's all about MONEY. Who will make the most money. Many times, talent doesn't come into play.

Had Angela L been asked to do "Mame," she would have been brilliant in the movie!!!

[MrsVampyre]

Posted: 7/1/07 at 5:58pm

The Lucy verision was good. But the one I like the best, and that is truest to the Broadway show is the verision that was made with Rosslin Russell and Forest Tucker. This verision is also truer to the book the play was based on.

[nealb1]

Posted: 7/1/07 at 6:05pm

me2.....no problem. Thank you!

FYI....one of the reasons why I love "Mame" is because the life size oil portrait of Mame that hangs at the top of her staircase, I own. I bought it at an auction 13 years ago, here in Los Angeles.

After "Mame" wrapped, Sven Svenson, one of the dancers in the film, got it. He past away in 1993 and it went on the auction block in Feb 1994 and it's been hanging in my home ever since!
Updated On: 7/1/07 at 06:05 PM

[Wicked63]

Posted: 7/1/07 at 6:08pm

Beatrice Lillie (Mrs Mears in the movie of Modern Millie) did the play Auntie Mame at the Adelphi Theatre london in 1957.
Ginger Rodgers did the London production of Mame-the musical at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane but only for a very limited season. It was one of my first West End shows i saw.

[nealb1]

Posted: 7/1/07 at 6:10pm

Wicked63....how exciting to have seen Ginger in The West End. I'm about to see my first show in The West End this month. I'm going to London to see Streisand in concert on her last 2 nights. So, I got a ticket to see "Drowsy" with Elaine Paige. I'm so looking forward to seeing the show again, and to see EP again. LOVE HER!

[Wicked63]

Posted: 7/1/07 at 6:13pm

a true star in a great show at a beatiful theatre! No wonder i love theatre so much. Enjoy your show. You wont be able to afford another show for about 50 yrs with what Striesand charged you for your seats!

[nealb1]

Posted: 7/1/07 at 6:17pm

Thanks so much! Ha, ha.....yes Barbra is expensive, she sure is. I've seen her many times in concert.....1994.....2000....2006 and in London. To me, it's worth every penny.