A late career triumph for Rosalind Russell, Auntie Mame was adapted from the play that in turn was adapted from Patrick Dennis’s semi-autobiographical 1955 novel. Clocking in at 144 minutes its’s bit long, it captures the essence of bohemian living in late 1920’s New York. Released in 1958, Auntie Mame received six Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, and Rosalind Russell for Best Actress.
Orphaned in 1928 after his father’s unexpected death, Patrick Dennis (Jan Handzlick) is sent to live with his only living relative, outrageously eccentric heiress Auntie Mame (Russell). From her Apartment in Manhattan, Mame throws frequent booze-filled parties (despite prohibition), filled with other bohemian types. It’s clear that there are gay men and woman among them. Surprising for 1958, matters of sex are freely discussed. Mame’s closest friends include alcoholic actress Vera Charles (Coral Browne) and book publisher Lindsay Woolsey (Patric Knowles).
Quickly feeling maternal towards Patrick, Mame is determined to give Patrick as broad a view of life as possible. All the while avoiding Dwight Babcock (Fred Clark), the stuffy trustee of Patrick’s inheritance. She stays a step ahead of him until the 1929 stock market crash leaves her broke. Babcock whisks Patrick off to a conservative (and restricted) boarding school.
Meanwhile, Mame’s attempts at various jobs end in disaster. One particularly memorable scene has Mame working as a switchboard operator at the firm of Widdicome, Gutterman, Applewhite, Bibberman and Black, where she hilariously rattles off the name with increasing speed. On the job at Macy’s, Mame meets and wins over rich oilman Jackson Pickett Burnside (Forrest Tucker). The two embark on a year’s long honeymoon, allowing Babcock to steer Patrick into less progressive social circles. When Jackson dies in a mountaineering accident, Mame returns home a rich widow, only to find out that the older Patrick (Roger Smith) has become someone she doesn’t recognize.
Screenwriters Betty Comden and Adolph Green stick close to the 1956 play written by Jerome Lawrence and Robert e. Lee. Even better, much of the plays original cast reprises their roles in the film. First, Rosalind Russell excels as Mame, a bawdy, but loving, free spirited dame, as does Peggy Cass (who received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress) as Mame’s mousy assistant Agnes Gooch, Yuki Shimoda (as Ito, the chauffeur), and Jan Handzlik. The supporting cast includes Robin Hughes as Mame’s lecherous editor, Joanna Barnes, Henry Brandon, Lee Patrick, Willard Waterman, and Pippa Scott in a small but significant role as Agnes’s replacement.
Director Morton DaCosta (who also directed the stage play) does a competent job. Largely a stage director (though he would helm 1962’s screen adaptation of The Music Man) that accounts for the stagey look of things, and his decision to end some scenes with a blackout, as if the curtain came down.
Presented in the 2.35:1 aspect ratio, the Technirama-shot image looks wonderful. Compared to Warner Archive’s previous Blu-ray, given the HDR 10 grading colors jump off the screen. Amazingly life-like, the sharpness and clarity is spot on. Black levels are wonderfully inky, particularly noticeable when scenes fade to black. The image is clear and concise, with no scratches or other anomalies.
The disc offers both DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, and DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 audio tracks. I listened to most of the film in 5.1, and the results were excellent. Bronisław Kaper’s bouncy score sounds fuller than ever, utilizing the front, and rear channels. Dialogue is clear and concise throughout. There are no pops, crackles, or other anomalies in evidence.
English SDH subtitles are available.
Inside the case is a black-and-white booklet containing poster designs, publicity clippings, etc., from the original pressbook. The items below are found on the discs;
DISC ONE 4K UHD:
- NEW!! Conversation with Jan Handzlik and Dave Karger (11:17) Recently recorded live at the 2026 TCM Classic Film Festival, the only surviving cast member reflects on the making of the film and working with Rosalind Russell.
- NEW!! Restoration: Before and After (2:07) A brief comparative look between the 2017 master, the unrestored negative, and the new master. The improvements are obvious.
- Theatrical Trailer (3:09)
- Music Only Track Presented in DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio mono.
DISC TWO: 2017 BLU-RAY DISC:
- Music Only Track Presented in DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio mono.
- Theatrical Trailer (3:09)
- Mame Theatrical Trailer(3:43) For the 1974 Technicolor musical adaptation, starring Lucille Ball.
