Uptight and tough, much like her later TV appearances. Had known more than a few late nights, men, cocktails, and smokes-comes off as Play her polar opposite, Mame Dennis, with such ease. Roz, who was a staunch Catholic and married just once, had the raucous humor to Mame needs a little Christmas, right this very minute! Patrick gives her "almost-diamonds." That itch three decades after the fact is still a mystery. Her pal Ginger Rogers’ leaden Lady in the Dark comes to mind. In fact, Lucy’s Mame feels like one of those great lady star vehicles from the ‘40s Gumption and self-consciousness over her age and ability seeps onto the screenĪnd dissipates nearly all the fun. Will for taking the role from Angela Lansbury, with all eyes on her. Whereas Lucy knew everyone was depending on her, nursing a healing leg, facing ill Re-recreating her Tony-winning Broadway smash, and going into filming on a high. Mame's motto: "Live! Life is a banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death!" (Roz herselfīroke an ankle running down those stairs the first time.) Was filmed, and Lucy was 62 and recovering from a broken leg. Than Lucy: Russell was 50 when Auntie Mame The age difference when they played Mame, though Roz was just five years older Lucille Ball was justĪs versatile as Rosalind Russell, with many of the same strengths. This was reinforced after re-watching Lucy's Mame as a comparison. And Roz's warmth helps offset Mame's more fancifulįlaws, as well. Imperious delivery with her slapstick, hoydenish side, so that Mame Dennis neverīecomes a one-note bore. Russell first played Auntie Mame on Broadway, to great acclaim. Them, it's not just little nephew Patrick's head whose is spinning. During the party scene, as Mame mingles with the best of Running down those stairs for the first time in Auntie Mame, Roz's energetic and effervescent personality hits you The Rosalind Russell version is so much moreīuoyant and lighthearted than the Lucy musical. Watching Roz’s original for this review, I kept expecting the Mame songs to start. Mame's intro as Roz Russell as she romps down those stairs, and is off and running!ĭidn't see the ’58 Russell comedy, Auntie Town, provided a career bridge for Russell in the ‘50s, between her studio Roz first won raves as the bon vivant diva on And the timing was just right for that class act with a bit ofīrass, Roz Russell, to play her. Patrick Dennis, free-thinking Auntie Mame was an anti-dote to theĬonformist ‘50s. The comic character instantly associated with Rosalind Russell, one of film’s "I'm your Auntie Mame!" Rosalind Russell as the larger than life Mame Dennis.
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