Lucille Ball takes on the role of “Mame,” the story of an eccentric who become guardian of her nephew when her brother passes away. Ball is a bit too long in the tooth and not vocally gifted enough for this classic musical role. However, director Gene Saks (“Cactus Flower” 1969) fluffs up Miss Ball, like he would a flat pillow, to get her through the production.
The results were some good production values, like a passable script by Paul Zindel and good musical direction by Jerry Herman (who wrote the music and lyrics), that made the movie watchable. Co-stars include Bea Arthur, Robert Preston, Bruce Davison, Kirby Furlong, Joyce Van Patten, Don Porter, John McGiver, Jane Connell, Barbara Bosson, Leonard Stone, Audrey Christie, Lucille Benson, Ruth McDevitt, and Burt Mustin as Uncle Jeff.
The somewhat watchable “Mame,” with its toe-tapping numbers, was a big flop at the box office for ABC and Warner Bros. Pictures. This would be Lucille Ball’s final motion picture, with the exception of a made-for-television movie “Stone Pillow” (1985). Her first roles were in 1933 as uncredited extras in films made at 20th Century Studios.
Mame (1974)
cinema
My Review
Lucille Ball takes on the role of “Mame,” the story of an eccentric who become guardian of her nephew when her brother passes away. Ball is a bit too long in the tooth and not vocally gifted enough for this classic musical role. However, director Gene Saks (“Cactus Flower” 1969) fluffs up Miss Ball, like he would a flat pillow, to get her through the production.
The results were some good production values, like a passable script by Paul Zindel and good musical direction by Jerry Herman (who wrote the music and lyrics), that made the movie watchable. Co-stars include Bea Arthur, Robert Preston, Bruce Davison, Kirby Furlong, Joyce Van Patten, Don Porter, John McGiver, Jane Connell, Barbara Bosson, Leonard Stone, Audrey Christie, Lucille Benson, Ruth McDevitt, and Burt Mustin as Uncle Jeff.
The somewhat watchable “Mame,” with its toe-tapping numbers, was a big flop at the box office for ABC and Warner Bros. Pictures. This would be Lucille Ball’s final motion picture, with the exception of a made-for-television movie “Stone Pillow” (1985). Her first roles were in 1933 as uncredited extras in films made at 20th Century Studios.