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Mame

Play trailer Poster for Mame PG 1974 2h 12m Musical Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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36% Tomatometer 11 Reviews 48% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
Wiped out by the crash of '29, a woman (Lucille Ball) marries a Georgia millionaire (Robert Preston) and lives life to the fullest.
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Mame

Critics Reviews

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Pauline Kael The New Yorker With Lucille Ball, Mame becomes a family musical, and all the numbskull worst in it -- the hard-sell uplifting message -- takes over. Sep 21, 2023 Full Review Nell Minow Movie Mom Overstuffed, but the music's still great. Rated: 3/5 Jun 19, 2003 Full Review Steve Warren The Barb (Atlanta) There's really only one thing wrong with it -- Lucy herself... The picture succeeds in spite of her, but she's a tremendous handicap for it to overcome. May 9, 2023 Full Review John Simon Esquire Magazine Suffice it to say about Mame that it is one of the most inept and repugnant items ever to crawl out of the Hollywoodwork. Jul 28, 2020 Full Review Dick Lochte Los Angeles Free Press Mame is an over-sized helping of oldfashioned, clean, wholesome fun, if that's your idea of a good time. I suppose it's mine, sort of. Dec 16, 2019 Full Review Frank Swietek One Guy's Opinion Rated: 1/5 Jul 5, 2008 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Philip R Nothing compares to the original Auntie Mame with Rosalind Russell. Lucille Ball, though a beloved legend, was simply too old for the role, and singing was never her strong suit. The entire film feels flat—it never quite lifts off the page. Where the original Auntie Mame sparkled with comedic energy from start to finish, this version leans heavily into melodrama. The result is a shocking departure from the charm and wit that made the original a classic. The performances are largely forgettable, the direction uninspired, and the interpretation misses the mark entirely. Save yourself the time and revisit Russell’s masterpiece instead. After all, life is a banquet—and most poor suckers are starving to death. Sadly, this version of Mame leaves you hungry for the magic that never arrives. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 10/16/25 Full Review Kathleen M I actually quite like Mame, but then I enjoy musicals. Bosom buddies with Lucy and Bea Arthur is a lot of fun. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 10/13/25 Full Review Joel H All I really knew about Mame before watching it was that it featured the song “We Need a Little Christmas” and Lucille Ball was in it. Both of those things are true. However, I also expected this movie to be absolutely terrible, and it isn’t. It’s not that good, but I don’t think the blame lies entirely on Lucille Ball’s padded shoulders. Her singing isn’t great, but I wouldn’t think the character of Mame would have a polished voice. The weaknesses mostly come from the dull story, the extended plot-stopping musical numbers, and the crowded choreography. I don’t think I’d choose to watch Mame again. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 12/21/24 Full Review Naomi G Since I love watching Lucy, I enjoyed the film. Bea Arthur is always a treat. Robert Preston another golden star. I'd seen The Rosalind Russell version and never seen this one until today. Never got the southern theme and all that nonsense but Lucy did her thing I love classic movies and I'm not much of a musical fan although I've watched plenty of them. Many seem to be critical because of Lucy's age, dancing and singing. Forget that. What I saw was a powerful performance the character shone through! Maybe the rotten tomatoes came because a powerful woman paid for and starred in a production in Hollywood! I say thank you Lucy! Good job! Naomi M. Gibbs Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 12/14/24 Full Review jesse g I enjoyed the film. I've read others criticisms but to me either I enjoy it or I don't. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 11/28/24 Full Review Leslie M. I love Lucy but not as Mame. Ew. Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 10/17/25 Full Review Read all reviews
Mame

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Movie Info

Synopsis Wiped out by the crash of '29, a woman (Lucille Ball) marries a Georgia millionaire (Robert Preston) and lives life to the fullest.
Director
Gene Saks
Producer
Robert Fryer, James Cresson
Screenwriter
Paul Zindel
Distributor
Warner Bros.
Production Co
Warner Bros., American Broadcasting Company (ABC)
Rating
PG
Genre
Musical, Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 7, 1974, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 1, 2009
Runtime
2h 12m
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