Mame 1974

Mame
Warner Bros., 1974, Color, 131 minutes, ***
Released March, 1974

You're invited to party hearty - and in fabulous style - with this lavish 1974 screen version of the beloved Broadway musical. Lucille Ball brings star sparkle to the title role, a high-living grande dame who's outlandishly eccentric and, when suddenly faced with raising an orphaned nephew, fiercely loving. Veterans of the New York stage original join her: Beatrice Arthur as best friend Vera, Jane Connell as prim governess Agnes, choreographer Onna White and director Gene Saks. As Mame's husband Beauregard, Robert Preston (The Music Man) sings "Loving You," written specially for the film. Jerry Herman's songs, from "It's Today" to "We Need a Little Christmas" to "If He Walked Into My Life," rank among the best show tunes ever. Lucille Ball fans should love this one - it plays more like a tribute to Lucille Ball than a work of fiction.

Produced by: Robert Fryer and James Cresson
Directed by: Gene Saks
Screenplay by: Paul Zindel
Based on the Broadway Musical "Mame" by Jerome Lawrence & Robert E. Lee and Jerry Herman
Based on the Novel Auntie Mame by Patrick Dennis
and the Stage Play "Auntie Mame" by Lawrence and Lee
Music and Lyrics by: Jerry Herman
Musical Adaptation by: Jerry Herman
Production Designer: Robert F. Boyle
Music Supervision: Fred Werner
Orchestrations by: Ralph Burns
Dance Music Arrangements by: Peter Howard
Music Directors: Ralph Burns and Billy Byers
Song Score: Jerry Herman
Musical Numbers Choreographed by: Onna White
Art Director: Harold Michelson
Set Decorator: Marvin March
Costumes Designed by: Theadora Van Runkle
Mens' Wardrobe: Bruce Walkup, Robert Modes
Ladies' Wardrobe: Nancy McArdle, Renita Reachi
Makeup: Fred Williams
Miss Ball's Makeup: Hal King
Hair Stylist: Jean Burt Reilly
Miss Ball's Hair Styles: Irma Kusely
Sound: Al Overton, Jr.
Director of Photography: Philip Lathrop
Special Photographic Effects: Albert Whitlock
Filmed in Panavision, Technicolor
Film Editor: Maury Winetrobe
Photographed on location and at the Burbank Studios, Burbank, California

Cast: Lucille Ball [Mame Dennis], Beatrice Arthur [Vera Charles], Robert Preston [Beauregard], Bruce Davidson [Older Patrick], Kirby Furlong [Young Patrick], Jane Connell [Agnes Gooch], George Chiang [Ito], Joyce Van Patten [Sally Cato], Doria Cook [Gloria Upson], Don Porter [Mr. Upson], Audrey Christie [Mrs. Upson], John McGiver [Mr. Babcock], Bobbi Jordan [Pegeen], Patrick Laborteaux [Peter], Lucille Benson [Mother Burnside], Ruth McDevitt [Cousin Fan], Burt Mustin [Uncle Jeff], James Brodhead [Floorwalker], Leonard Stone [Stage Manager], Roger Price [Teacher], John Wheeler [Judge Bregoff], Ned Wertimer [Fred Kates], Alice Nunn [Fat Lady], Jerry Ayres [Bunny], Michelle Nichols [Midge], Eric Gordon [Boyd], Barbara Bosson [Emily]

Musical Program: [0:00] Overture (played by Orchestra behind titles, includes vocal of St. Bridget by Jane Connell); [0:06] It's Today (sung and danced by Lucille Ball and party guests); [0:12] It's Today (reprised by Lucille Ball and party guests); [0:19] Open a New Window (sung by Lucille Ball, Kirby Furlong and Chorus); [0:31] The Man in the Moon (sung by Beatrice Arthur, danced by Chorus); [0:39] My Best Girl (sung by Kirby Furlong and Lucille Ball); [0:50] We Need a Little Christmas (sung and danced by Lucille Ball, Jane Connell, George Chiang, Kirby Furlong); [0:58] We Need a Little Christmas (reprised by Lucille Ball, Jane Connell, George Chiang, Kirby Furlong, Robert Preston); [1:11] Mame (sung and danced by Robert Preston and Chorus, segment danced by Robert Preston and Lucille Ball, segment danced by Lucille Ball and Chorus - a very Onna White production number); [1:18] Loving You (sung by Robert Preston, danced by Preston and Lucille Ball); [1:22] The Letter (to the tune of "Mame," sung by Kirby Furlong, then by Bruce Davidson); [1:29] Bosom Buddies (sung by Lucille Ball and Beatrice Arthur); [1:36] Bosom Buddies (reprise sung and danced by Lucille Ball and Beatrice Arthur); [1:42] What Do I Do Now? (Gooch's Song) (sung by Jane Connell); [1:53] If He Walked into My Life (sung by Lucille Ball); [2:00] It's Today (short reprisal sung by Beatrice Arthur and Chorus); [2:03] Open a New Window (reprised by Chorus); [2:09] Open a New Window (reprised by Lucille Ball); [2:09] Mame (reprised by Chorus at end of filme)