Auntie Mame (1958)
Grade: 67
Based upon the Broadway play also starring Rosalind Russell, which was in turn based upon the novel by Ed Fitzgerald, "Auntie Mame" is an exuberant comedy. While sometimes overdone, and with a plot that amounts to a series of skits dominated by Russell, the production has much energy and wit.
The film takes place during the years 1928 through the early 1940s. Russell plays the title role, an eccentric socialite obligated to raise her orphaned nephew Patrick (Jan Handzlik). Patrick is earnest and naive, but also something of a twit. Mame is at odds with conservative bank trustee Babcock (Fred Clark) over Patrick's education.
Mame loses her fortune during the 1929 stock market crash, and is forced to work at demeaning jobs. She is rescued by wealthy southerner Burnside (Forrest Tucker), who soon leaves her a widow. Meanwhile, Patrick (now played by Roger Smith) has grown up, but is still a twit. He is engaged to marry nasal-voiced snob Gloria (Joanna Barnes), whose buffoonish father (Willard Waterman) bears a prejudice against Jews.
Most of the supporting cast is more eccentric than Auntie Mame. Vera (Coral Browne) is an affected drunk, O'Bannion (Robin Hughes) is a phony 'Irish' writer, Gooch (Peggy Cass) is a mousey secretary. House servant Ito (Yuki Shimoda) laughs like a delirious idiot. The parade of colorful characters robs the film of its credibility, and the certainty of a happy ending robs the film of any suspense. Still, it is fun watching Russell try to walk in wrong-sized boots, and Barnes' performance is a hoot.
Morton Da Costa produced and directed "Auntie Mame", and also has a bit part playing Patrick's father. He closes many scenes by freezing the actors, darkening the set, and putting a spotlight on Russell's face. This technique seems artificial, but it does express the warmth and vitality of Russell's character. The film was remade in 1974 as the infamous flop "Mame", starring Lucille Ball.
kollers@mpsi.net http://members.tripod.com/~Brian_Koller/movies.html
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