Auntie Mame is a 1955 novel by Patrick Dennis that chronicles his madcap adventures growing up as the ward of his deceased father's eccentric sister. The work is often referred to as autobiographical, but the author (born Edward Everett Tanner) never claimed the work was anything other than fiction; he did have an eccentric aunt (Marion Tanner) but was raised by both his parents. The novel was a runaway best seller, setting records on the New York Times bestseller list, with more than 2,000,000 copies in print during its initial publication. Patrick Dennis later wrote a sequel, Around The World With Auntie Mame.

The novel was adapted for the stage by authors Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee. The original Broadway production starred Rosalind Russell in the title role.

In 1958, a film based on the play was released. In addition to Russell, it starred Forrest Tucker, Coral Browne, Roger Smith, Peggy Cass and Jan Handzlik. The screenplay was adapted by Betty Comden and Adolph Green, and the movie was directed by Morton DaCosta.

It was nominated for Academy Awards for Best Actress in a Leading Role (Rosalind Russell), Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Peggy Cass), Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Black-and-White or Color, Best Cinematography, Color, Best Film Editing and Best Picture.

An immensely successful musical version, entitled Mame, starring Angela Lansbury, and Beatrice Arthur, with a score by Jerry Herman, opened on Broadway in 1966. The musical was in turn filmed, with Lucille Ball, Beatrice Arthur, and Robert Preston starring, but it was a critical and box office disaster. Critics agreed that Lucille Ball was hopelessly miscast, and much too old for the role.

See also the entry for Patrick Dennis.

External links

1955 novels | 1958 films | American novels | Robert Edwin Lee plays | Films featuring a Best Actress Academy Award nominated performance | Best Picture Academy Award nominees | Films featuring a Best Supporting Actress Academy Award nominated performance

Auntie Mame