Auntie Mame (DVD) (Rpkg)

This movie is something special. It's a combination of amazing performances and very witty, ahead of it's time humor. The writing on display here is superb, and confirmation that great art is indeed timeless. Considering it came out in the late 1950's, it must have taken audiences by surprise with it's envelope pushing commentary on everything from racism, out of wedlock pregnancy, and the glorious joys of excessive alcohol consumption. The seeds of what would become known as the counterculture in just a few years were planted here. The level of acting is near perfection as well, featuring snappy often lightning fast delivery that rises to the occasion and is worthy of the aforementioned incredible script. As for the Blu-ray, it's a joy to behold. Scanned from the original master and remastered to perfection. Colors pop like nobody's business and the audio is surprisingly immersive. In fact, this may well be the best Blu-Ray I've ever seen, not quite 4K, but damned close. Needless to say, this timeless classic, with it's well deserved cult following, receives my highest recommendation. In short, get it now. Right NOW! 🙂

Thank you, I have always enjoyed this story. And now ... I own it. I watch it every week to feel well. Merry Christmas & A Happy New Years to come.

AUNTIE MAME [1958 / 2017] [Warner Archive Collection] [Blu-ray] Feast At The Banquet Of This “Walloping Rip-roaring Hit!” Everyone’s Favourite Relation Invites You To Life’s Banquet! Ten-year-old orphan Patrick Dennis has come to live with his nearest relative, and in the high times ahead. With Auntie Mame, Patrick Dennis’s life is a feast and he is not going to believe his luck. Nor will you, because Patrick Dennis’s relation is played by one of Hollywood’s grandest dames. Reprising her Broadway triumph, Rosalind Russell received her fourth Oscar® nomination and third Golden Globe Award as the marvellous madcap woman who lives life to the hilt. ‘AUNTIE MAME’ brings to bubbly life the mayhem Mame Dennis and her cronies create while guiding Patrick Dennis’s fortunes. Mame Dennis says, “Life is a banquet, and most poor suckers are starving to death!” With wit, style and a seasoned cast to dished out humour and heart with gusto, ‘AUNTIE MAME’ is a full-course meal of entertainment magic and is a 1958 Technicolor comedy film based on the 1955 novel of the same name by Patrick Dennis. Narrated by Morton DaCosta (uncredited). FILM FACT: 1959 Academy Awards: Nomination: Best Picture for Jack L. Warner. Nomination: Best Actress in a Leading Role for Rosalind Russell. Nomination: Best Actress in a Supporting Role for Peggy Cass. Nomination: Best Cinematography in Color for Harry Stradling Sr. Nomination: Best Art Direction-Set Decoration in Black-and-White or Color for George James Hopkins and Malcolm C. Bert. Nomination: Best Film Editing for William H. Ziegler. 1959 Golden Globes: Win: Best Motion Picture in a Comedy. Win: Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical for Rosalind Russell. Nomination: Best Supporting Actress for Peggy Cass. Nomination: Most Promising Female Newcomer for Joanna Barnes. 1959 Grammy Awards: Nominated: Best Soundtrack Album, Dramatic Picture Score or Original Cast. 1959 Golden Laurel Awards: Win: Top General Entertainment. Win: Top Female Comedy Performance for Rosalind Russell. 3rd place: Top Female Supporting Performance for Peggy Cass. 3rd place: Top Cinematography in Color for Harry Stradling Sr. 1960 BAFTA® Awards: Nominated: Best Foreign Actress for Rosalind Russell. Cast: Morton DaCosta (narrator) (uncredited), Rosalind Russell, Forrest Tucker, Coral Browne, Fred Clark, Roger Smith (Older Patrick Dennis), Patric Knowles, Peggy Cass, Jan Handzlik (Younger Patrick Dennis), Joanna Barnes, Pippa Scott, Lee Patrick, Willard Waterman, Robin Hughes, Connie Gilchrist, Yuki Shimoda, Brook Byron, Carol Veazie, Henry Brandon, John Albright (uncredited), Cris Alexander (uncredited), Alex Ball (uncredited), Olive Blakeney (uncredited), John Caler (uncredited), Evelyn Ceder (uncredited), Roydon Clark (uncredited), Booth Colman (uncredited), Max Cutler (uncredited), Mark Dana (uncredited), Paul Davis (uncredited), Margaret Dumont (uncredited), Adolph Faylauer (uncredited), Robert Gates (uncredited), Gregory Gaye (uncredited), Rand Harper (uncredited), Sam Harris (uncredited), Charles Heard (uncredited), Butch Hengen (uncredited), Dick Hudkins (uncredited), Terry Kelman (uncredited), Colin Kenny (uncredited), Mike Lally (uncredited), Louise Lane (uncredited), Tom McDonough (uncredited), Owen McGiveney (uncredited), Frank McLure (uncredited), Daniel Meyers (uncredited), Doye O'Dell (uncredited), Barbara Pepper (uncredited), Jack Perrin (uncredited), Richard Reeves (uncredited), Larry Rio (uncredited), Gladys Roach (uncredited), Jeffrey Sayre (uncredited), Hazel Shermet (uncredited), Dean Smith (uncredited), Smokey (Mame's Horse) (uncredited), Dub Taylor (uncredited), Arthur Tovey (uncredited) and Ruth Warren (uncredited) Director: Morton DaCosta Producer: Morton DaCosta (uncredited) Screenplay: Betty Comden, Adolph Green and Patrick Dennis from the novel: "Auntie Mame" Composer: Bronislau Kaper (music) Cinematography: Harry Stradling Sr., A.S.C. (Director of Photography) Image Resolution: 1080p [Technicolor] Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 [Technirama] Audio: English: 2.0 DTS HD-Master Audio Stereo and Music: 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio Stereo Subtitles: English SDH Running Time: 143 minutes Region: All Regions Number of discs: 1 Studio: Warner Archive Collection Andrew’s Blu-ray Review: Betty Comden and Adolph Green, the legendary musical-comedy writing team, departed from form to deal in straight comedy in Warner Bros. AUNTIE MAME [1958], adapting a stage hit from another great writing team Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee. The Broadway play had, in turn, been adapted from the Patrick Dennis novel and would later be a musical on both stage and screen, with Angela Lansbury and Lucille Ball among the many actresses who would follow Rosalind Russell in the role of Mame Dennis. Rosalind Russell, who originated the role with smashing success on Broadway and well as in this classic very funny hilarious film that was a rip roaring box office hit. The madcap aunt of an orphaned boy, Mame Dennis enlists her gang of eccentric friends to help teach the youngster to "live, live, live!" and the other iconic classic saying that sums up the wonderful Mame Dennis, that is said to Patrick Dennis is that “Life is a banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death” and it certainly is one of the most famous lines in Hollywood film history as well as one of the most descriptive of a title character that also sums up the classic comedy film. The film ‘AUNTIE MAME’ has the character of being of course very exuberantly played by the late and great Rosalind Russell and in her capable hands the role she originated on the Broadway stage has yet to be surpassed. Rosalind Russell is at times madcap, sexy, girlish, ditzy, regal, tragic, and smart and of course ultimately brilliant. The story revolves around young Patrick Dennis [Jan Handzlik]; orphaned by the untimely death of his father Edwin Dennis [Morton DaCosta] and is sent to live with his only living relative in a posh Manhattan apartment. The scene where Patrick Dennis first arrives, there amidst one of Mame Dennis's “affairs” is splendidly conceived and well executed. Also Mame Dennis introduces her nephew to a dizzying array of friends and other guests in rapid succession all the while making witty repartee and the scene is done in one long take that would rarely, if ever, be filmed today. At one point she hands him a pencil and paper and instructs him to jot down every word he hears but does not understand. These include libido, free love, Marxism and heterosexual to name but a few. But obviously most expansive is the grand dame actress Rosalind Russell, who lets herself go with even more gushiness and grandeur of gesture than she did with her Broadway stage performance. As the downright incredibly fluid and spirited sybarite who, nonetheless, gives her orphaned nephew an abundance of attention and love, and succeeds in creating someone that is as comically engrossing and yet possessed of surprising little pockets of tenderness, but every now and then, Auntie Mame suddenly opens up with touching largess and tenderness in making Rosalind Russell appearance in the film ‘AUNTIE MAME’ is the most enjoyable and very engaging enjoyment of all time. But of course there is the farcical and funny side of the film especially among the other characters like Peggy Cass [Peggy Cass] as a myopic secretary who makes a mistake of a delicate biological nature, Coral Browne as Vera Charles who is an actress who drinks like a fish and Doris Upson [Lee Patrick] and Claude Upson [Willard Waterman] as the Connecticut couple who live in a high estate. Ito [Yuki Shimoda] as a houseboy, Norah Muldoon [Connie Gilchrist] as a maid and Gloria Upson [Joanna Barnes] as a finishing-school's end product do variously lively caricatures that adds to the flamboyancy of this very engaging film. Released in 1958 this utterly brilliant film is filled with memorable characters, intelligent and extremely funny dialogue. The focus rarely shifts from the beloved Mame Dennis but why should it. Mame Dennis is the reason for watching this glorious Technicolor film. Rosalind Russell is one of the screens greatest comediennes; and can deliver tongue-twisting lines with amazing dexterity speed and is just as comfortable doing a pratfall. The scene at Peckerwood, the southern plantation owned by her fiancé Beauregard Picket Burnside [Forrest Tucker] where she rides a crazed horse in a fox hunt is a good example of the latter and again totally hilarious and Rosalind Russell sure pulls it off. The supporting cast is wonderful and the direction is first rate as is the wonderful screenplay by Betty Comden and Adolph Green. I also get chills every time I watch the final scene as Mame Dennis ascends her famous stairway leading the now grown-up Patrick Dennis's son all the while telling him about her friend the monk in India where, from his bell tower you can see the Taj Mahal. The film ‘AUNTIE MAME’ is unrestrained, totally wild and innocent spoof, but it manages to make it apparent that it has heart and that it is all in the right place. Closest to reality among the other characters in the film are Jan Handzlik as the Younger Patrick Dennis and Roger Smith as the Older Patrick Dennis, who are almost plausible and quite appealing as the nephew in his respective stages of boy and man. Forrest Tucker is broadly humorous as the rich Southerner whom Mame Dennis smartly weds, and Dwight Babcock [Fred Clark] is mad and pompous as the banker who tries to impose his priggish attitude on Young Patrick Dennis. ‘AUNTIE MAME’ is unrestrainedly a wild and innocent spoof, but it manages to make it apparent that it has a heart and that it's in the right place. To me ‘AUNTIE MAME’ its outlandishness, glamour and transports you to another world which you feel you wish you were there so you could participate in. Throughout Mame Dennis’s ups and downs in life, her wardrobe and hair colour change like mad. So does the decor of her New York apartment at 3 Beekman Place. The set design is a perfect complement to the costumes, as Mame Dennis goes from an orientalist phase in the 1920s to a “blue” period for the 1930s, a classical design when she’s mourning her first husband during the 1940s, then a modernist phase in the 1950s, and the film comes full circle with an Asian-Indian theme at the last scene. For over the top hilarious camp fun with a wholly totally modern message, ‘AUNTIE MAME’ is a top notch winner in all catagories. You’ll wish Mame Dennis was your auntie too. Purchase this Warner Archive Collection Blu-ray and you will have many hours of repeat viewing that is a total must have for your Blu-ray Collection. AUNTIE MAME MUSIC TRACK LIST TEA FOR TWO (1925) (uncredited) [Music by Vincent Youmans] (Played off-screen on piano at Mame's party) O COME, ALL YE FAITHFUL (aka "Adeste Fidelis") (ca 1743) (uncredited) [Music attributed to John Reading] [Latin lyrics by John Francis Wade] [English lyrics by Frederick Oakeley] (1841) (Played and sung at Macy’s Department Store) IT CAME UPON A MIDNIGHT CLEAR (1850) (uncredited) [Music by Richard Storrs Willis] (1850) (uncredited) [Lyrics by Edmund Hamilton Sears] (1849) (uncredited) (Played and sung after Mame leaves Macy’s Department Store) DECK THE HALLS (1862) (uncredited) [Traditional Welsh melody] (Played on the radio and Danced by Jan Handzlik, Yuki Shimoda and Connie Gilchrist] SILENT NIGHT (1818) (uncredited) [Music by Franz Gruber] (Background music at Christmas) OLD FOLKS AT HOME (Swanee River) [(1851) (uncredited) [Written by Stephen Foster] (In the score at Beauregard's Plantation) TILL WE MEET AGAIN (1918) (uncredited) [Music by Richard A. Whiting] (In the score for the ship sailing sequence) THE ROSE OF TRALEE (Traditional 19th century ballad) (uncredited) [Sung cappella by Robin Hughes] TIP-TOE THRU’ THE TULIPS WITH ME (1929) (uncredited) [Music by Joseph A. Burke] (In the score after Agnes comes home) Blu-ray Image Quality – Warner Archive Collection once again and brings out all guns blazing with this stunning 1080p image presentation and equally impressive is the 2.35:1 [Technirama] aspect ratio. The scan was performed at 2K by Warner's Motion Picture Imaging facility, and colour correction was undertaken by the senior colourist at the MPI who had been entrusted with restoring many of Warner's most valuable properties. An original dye transfer print was used as a colour reference, and MPI's work was followed by WAC's customary thorough cleaning to remove dirt, scratches and other age-related deterioration. The end result is a Blu-ray image of stunning sharpness and clarity, with deep and rich primary colours and a rainbow of shadings in between and appropriately enough, the film's introductory titles open with an amazing kaleidoscope of colours that really shows off this brilliant Blu-ray disc to its fullest potential. Auntie Mame's apparently inexhaustible wardrobe is as much a character in the film as she is, and the Blu-ray presentation makes it pop off the screen. The eccentric and ever-changing decor of Mame's apartment is vividly rendered, while the detail of Beauregard Burnside's South Carolina plantation is white-and-pastel eye candy accentuated by the bright red riding coats of the fox hunt. The counters at Macy's, where Mame Dennis meets her future husband, are a study in stylized stage decor, and the exotic locales where Mame Dennis and Beauregard travels around the world are striking in all of their soundstage artificiality. Blacks are solid and deep, and there isn't a hint of untoward electronic tinkering. Auntie Mame was shot on film some sixty years ago, but its presentation on this Blu-ray really stands out in comparison and especially the inferior DVD release. This Blu-ray is a total triumph and a tribute to the continuing professionalism and vitality of celluloid presentation via Warner Archive Collection and gets a five star rating from me. Blu-ray Audio Quality – Warner Archive Collection presents us with two audio experiences, which are 2.0 DTS HD-Master Audio Stereo and Music: 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio Stereo that has been taken from the original magnetic masters, cleaned of any age-related interference or distortion. On top of all that, the audio presentation faithfully reproduces Rosalind Russell's famous ability to deliver her witty dialogue at lightning speed in the only way that this brilliant actress can perform as her character Mame Dennis to great aplomb and Forest Tucker's ripe Southern accent and Peggy Cass's broadly comic tones as the put-upon Miss Gooch, are delivered equally effective. The lovely orchestral score by Bronislau Kaper has ample room to breathe, even though it is only in the 2.0 DTS HD-Master Stereo Audio experience. So all in all Warner Archive Collection have given us the best audio presentation of this wacky and very funny film that deserved all its awards and nominations. Blu-ray Special Features and Extras: Special Feature: Music-Only 2.0 Stereo Audio Track Highlighting Bronisław Kaper’s Lush Composed Music Score. The only problem is there are a lot of gaps without any sound, but it makes you really observe what is going on the film. Theatrical Trailer [1958] [1080p] [1.78:1] [3:09] This is the Original Theatrical Trailer for the film ‘AUNTIE MAME.’ One curious aspect of this trailer, is why couldn’t they have not done a 2.35:1 aspect ratio trailer, but despite this, it is a totally brilliant trailer that sure puts the fun back in its presentation. Theatrical Trailer [1974] [1080p] [2.35:1] [3:43] This is the Original Theatrical Trailer for the film musical ‘MAME.’ Sadly the trailer is still far superior to the actual film that was a disastrous box office failure, despite all the wonderful composed lyrical songs that were written by Jerry Herman and also all the brilliant and talented cast. Finally, the thing that I find most utterly charming about the film ‘AUNTIE MAME’ is how Mame Dennis sees the world, and how she passes that on to her nephew Patrick Dennis and helps him to understand that he doesn’t have to necessarily conform to what the status quo wants him to be and that he can live up to certain expectations, but at the same time, he must be true to himself and do the best he can to be a good person. Because in the end, you have to live with yourself, and to paraphrase Mame Dennis in saying, “if you haven’t lived at least some of your life the way you see fit, then have you really lived?” If you are ever feeling down then this is the film is ideal to lift your spirits to greater heights of euphoria and it will also instantly lift your spirits. Rosalind Russell is Mame Dennis the ultimate survivor. Mame Dennis’s numerous costume changes are matched only by her Beekman Avenue apartment’s frequent redesigns. From 1920’s urban glamour to Chinoiserie chic, which is a European interpretation and imitation of Chinese and East Asian artistic traditions and the outrageous colourful sets will cause you to hit the pause button to take in every detail on show. Mame Dennis’s limitless lust for life is contagious and will inspire you to open your heart and mind without any hesitation. If you are ever you are feeling down in the dumps, you have had a bad day at work or things have just gone from bad to worse, put on this film and all your blues will fade away in an instant and as it will really give you a lift and make you feel life is worth living, because it has pathos, witty banter, lots of hilarious laughter, sadness and joy all rolled into one long rollercoaster ride of emotions that will make you want to view this film many times over of repeat viewings. Very Highly Recommended! Andrew C. Miller – Your Ultimate No.1 Film Aficionado Le Cinema Paradiso United Kingdom

Live! Live! Live! Life is a banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death. Auntie Mame has always been a favorite movie of mine. A fun and fast comedy with snappy dialogue, great sets, and an excellent cast. Recommended for anyone who wants to see a madcap adventure with love, laughter, and plenty of sass.

Brilliant.

I can whatch over and over it's hilarious

Fabulous movie, great old Hollywood movie from the Golden era ..

Somehow this went missing from my DVD library, which I discovered when I decided to watch this gem again. So, I ordered it and when it was delivered, my wife and I microwaved some buttered popcorn and had a wonderful time viewing this film. Rosalind Russell and company made it so enjoyable that it was as if we were visiting old friends. This film works on many levels and is far superior to the Lucille Ball musical made a decade or more later. If you haven't seen it, this is definitely worth a look.

J'ai adoré ce film pétillant et glamour

Ich musste 46 Jahre alt werden, um diesen Film zu entdecken. Was für ein köstliches Erlebnis, eine herzerwärmende Familienkomödie über eine in der ersten Hälfte des 20. Jahrhunderts wahrlich unkonventionelle Familie. Mame wird von Rosalind Russell wirklich brillant gespielt. Der Film kann seinen Theaterhintergrund nicht verbergen, ist aber so stilsicher und leicht inszeniert, dass es ein wahre Freude ist. Ich habe einen neuen Lieblingsfilm gefunden.

Una de mis películas favoritas de siempre, estaría mejor en blu Ray.

A fabulosa Rosalyn Russel , um grande filme e muito engraçado

"Child, how can you see with all that light?" "Ooh that moon's bright!" "Fix the aster in the maze with an animal guy!" "...hang those furs on the (g)ooch." And so many more... Many attest this a fun favourite. A friend and I used to drop lines to each other in front of another who was unfamiliar with it. One night we watched it together. At an unexpected moment, he peed his pants: we two gave the other a puzzled look. Amid the innuendo, quips and antics are moments of intimacy, social injustice (in stupidified unison, "wife!!!?") that are underplayed with few reaction shots that with repeated viewing over the years continue to satisfy and deepen. The Bluray is beautiful. There are a lot of master shots and with the sharper quality, what is going on in the background are new discoveries. Alas there is no commentary nor recent look back i feel it deserves. And I would have loved 4k format, but how long would the wait be for that? Feast now.