Auntie Mame
Seen it?1958 | 143 min | Comedy, Drama
Saturday Specialearly ratingWhy it’s a Saturday Special
It collected a shelf of major awards, it earned strong reviews (88% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it's still drawing plenty of interest, despite soft box office. A strong pick for the weekend.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who wants a laugh. If you loved Mary Poppins or Bugsy Malone, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Funny with heart.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 23 min.
- What might put you off
- Made in 1958: an older pace and style.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
Mame Dennis, a progressive and independent woman of the 1920s, is left to care for her nephew Patrick after his wealthy father dies. Conflict ensues when the executor of the father's estate objects to the aunt's lifestyle and tries to force her to send Patrick to prep school.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
88% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesSolid
7.0 out of 10
- AwardsVery strong
Won 2 Golden Globes: Golden Globe Awards: Best Motion Picture – Comedy, Golden Globe Awards: Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy. Also nominated for 6 Oscars, 1 more Golden Globe and 1 BAFTA. Plus 3 other awards.
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$23 million worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactStrong
About 109K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Morton DaCosta
- Rosalind RussellMame Dennis
- Forrest TuckerBeauregard Jackson Pickett Burnside
- Coral BrowneVera Charles
- Peggy CassAgnes Gooch
- Jan HandzlikPatrick Dennis - Younger
- Roger SmithPatrick Dennis - Older
- Fred ClarkDwight Babcock
- Connie GilchristNorah Muldoon
- Yuki ShimodaIto
- Patric KnowlesLindsay Woolsey