Review of Mame (1974) by Kelly H — 24 Jan 2016

Sorry, but the only Auntie Mame for me is Rosalind Russell, who starred in the original play and non-musical film version. That includes Angela Lansbury, whom I saw in the original stage production of this lame musical version.

The episodic nature and weak plot of the play did not inspire much of a score, and there has never been anything particularly "musical" about "Mame." Casting Lucille Ball in the title role initially sounded like a brilliant idea, but the result is very depressing, since Ms.

Ball completely lacks the sort of dry, stylish wit that is the essence of the character. Her line readings are embarrassing, and the performance comes off like Lucy pretending to be sophisticated. The pace throughout the film is unbearably slow.

Didn't Director Gene Saks ever notice that the scenes lacked any spark of vitality? Beatrice Arthur as Vera Charles is the only cast member who comes close to the requisite style of the piece, and I might have enjoyed her performance more if I did not know that Ms.

Arthur was every bit as bitchy in real life. Honey, that's not acting, that's Beatrice being Beatrice. In every other way, the cast of this musical version does not live up to the cast of the original movie.

See "Auntie Mame" a tenth or twelfth time and you'll be far more entertained than by this monstrous bore.