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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 09/21/2023
With Lucille Ball, Mame becomes a family musical, and all the numbskull worst in it -- the hard-sell uplifting message -- takes over. Go to Full Review
Nell Minow Movie Mom 06/19/2003
3/5
Overstuffed, but the music's still great. Go to Full Review
Steve Warren The Barb (Atlanta) 05/09/2023
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. Go to Full Review
John Simon Esquire Magazine 07/28/2020
Suffice it to say about Mame that it is one of the most inept and repugnant items ever to crawl out of the Hollywoodwork. Go to Full Review
Dick Lochte Los Angeles Free Press 12/16/2019
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. Go to Full Review
Frank Swietek One Guy's Opinion 07/05/2008
1/5
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Audience Reviews

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Philip R Oct 16 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. See more Kathleen M Oct 13 I actually quite like Mame, but then I enjoy musicals. Bosom buddies with Lucy and Bea Arthur is a lot of fun. See more Joel H Dec 20 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. See more Naomi G Dec 14 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 See more jesse g 11/28/2024 I enjoyed the film. I've read others criticisms but to me either I enjoy it or I don't. See more Leslie M. @Mckles 01/13/2024 I love Lucy but not as Mame. Ew. See more 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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