The theatrical stage show gets the cinematic treatment with 1958's Auntie Mame. Warner has done wonderful work on this 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer. Sporting glorious Technicolor patterns and sharp black levels, this transfer appears to be in excellent shape. While a few inconsistencies show up from time to time (including a scattering of grain), overall this image looks exceptional and should please fans. The soundtrack is presented in Dolby Digital 1.0 Mono in English and French and isn't quite as exciting as the transfer. Though the music, dialogue and effects are all clear and concise, overall this mix lacks any true fidelity or lack of directional effects. Also available on this disc are English, French and Spanish subtitles. Unfortunately, there aren't a lot of grand supplements to compliment the film -- all that's been included on this disc is a music-only isolated track, some cast / award listings, and theatrical trailers for the film and the 1974 Lucille Ball remake Mame.
Customer Rating
5
Absolutely Fabulous
on November 11, 2008
Posted by: Anonymous
from Houston, TX
Adapted by Comden and Green from the hugely successful Broadway play, (which in turn was based upon the wickedly funny and very racy for the times novel by Patrick Dennis), the movie crackles with the wonderful quick-witted dialogue that has become a lost art in cinema today. Of course, it didn't hurt to have the brilliant Rosalind Russell in the lead, along with Peggy Cass (reprising her "Tony" award-winning performance), Coral Browne, and the incredibly campy Joanna Barnes. Really, if you are a fan of witty, sophisticated dialogue, matched with performances that, when viewed from the perspective of our times, are the personification of "arch" campiness, then you must have this movie in your collection.
What's great about it: The funniest, most clever film of the 1950's.
What's not so great: Absolutely nothing. As close to camp perfection as one could get.