AUNTIE MAME (1958)

WORLD PREMIERE RESTORATION

Like life, this film is a banquet, particularly for movie audiences starving for sophisticated laughs. Patrick Dennis’ best-selling 1955 account of a glamorous, unconventional woman charged with raising her nephew caught the eye of Broadway producers, who immediately saw the title character as perfect for Rosalind Russell. She scored a huge hit in the 1956 show and would be identified with the role for the rest of her life. Jan Handzlik, who played the younger Patrick on Broadway, joined Russell in the production’s move to the big screen. Casting them in the 1958 film version was a no-brainer and gave Warner Bros. their biggest hit of the year along with six Oscar nominations, including Best Picture and Best Actress. AUNTIE MAME continues to be an audience favorite, with Mame’s outlandish behavior and costumes making her a gay icon. Its depiction of an unconventional family composed of Patrick, Mame and her eccentric friends has also been embraced by audiences who have developed their own chosen families.

d. Morton Da Costa, 144m, DCP

New 4K restoration by Warner Bros. Discover in collaboration with The Film Foundation.