This article is about the novel by Patrick Dennis. For the 1958 film, see Auntie Mame (film). For the musical, see Mame (musical).
Auntie Mame: An Irreverent Escapade is a 1955 novel by American author Patrick Dennis chronicling the madcap adventures of a boy, Patrick, growing up as the ward of his Aunt Mame Dennis, the sister of his dead father.
The book is often described as having been inspired by Dennis' real-life eccentric aunt, Marion Tanner,[2] whose life and outlook mirrored those of Mame, but Dennis denied the connection. The novel was a runaway bestseller, setting records on the New York Times bestseller list, with more than 2 million copies in print during its initial publication. It became the basis of a stage play,[3] a film,[3] a stage musical, and a film musical.
The British production of the play opened at the Adelphi Theatre in London on September 10, 1958, and ran for 301 performances, closing on 30 May, 1959. Beatrice Lillie played the title role, with Florence Desmond as Vera Charles (later replaced by Joan Peart). Dinsdale Landen played Patrick Dennis (as a man), Agnes Gooch was Rosamund Greenwood and Jill Melford played Pegeen Ryan.[7]
In December 1958, a film of the same title based on the play was released by Warner Brothers with Russell, Shimoda, Handzlik and Cass reprising their roles.[3] Russell and Cass were both nominated for an Academy Award, and Russell won a Golden Globe for her portrayal.
In 1974, the musical was made into a film of the same title starring Lucille Ball, Bea Arthur (reprising her stage role), and Robert Preston. This film was a failure at the box office—despite breaking attendance records during its Radio City Music Hall run—and critics generally panned it for Ball's singing ability and thought she was not up to the part (she was 62 years old).
In 2016, screenwriter Annie Mumolo told Vanity Fair that she was working on a "modern-day" adaptation of the novel as a film with Tilda Swinton as Mame.[8]
Re-issues
In September 2001, the book was re-released in paperback by Broadway Books, an imprint of Random House.
In 2009, the Italian publisher Adelphi re-released the book, which had been out of print for many years in its Italian translation, under the title Zia Mame; the book reached the top spot on Italian bestseller lists and stayed there for many weeks, an unusual performance for a re-release.[9]
References
^"List of the Books Coming Out Today". The New York Times: 21. January 21, 1955.
Walking Off the Big Apple: A Strolling Guide to New York City
January 13, 2023
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This article is about the novel by Patrick Dennis For the 1958 film see Auntie Mame film For the musical see Mame musical Auntie Mame An Irreverent Escapade is a 1955 novel by American author Patrick Dennis chronicling the madcap adventures of a boy Patrick growing up as the ward of his Aunt Mame Dennis the sister of his dead father Auntie MameFirst edition coverAuthorPatrick DennisCountryUnited StatesLanguageEnglishPublisherVanguard PressPublication dateJanuary 21 1955 1 Media typePrint hardback and paperback Pages280Followed byAround the World with Auntie Mame Rosalind Russell and Polly Rowles in the original 1956 Broadway production of Auntie Mame The book is often described as having been inspired by Dennis real life eccentric aunt Marion Tanner 2 whose life and outlook mirrored those of Mame but Dennis denied the connection The novel was a runaway bestseller setting records on the New York Times bestseller list with more than 2 million copies in print during its initial publication It became the basis of a stage play 3 a film 3 a stage musical and a film musical In 1958 Dennis wrote a sequel titled Around the World with Auntie Mame Contents 1 Adaptations 2 Re issues 3 References 4 External linksAdaptations EditThe novel was adapted for the stage by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E Lee Running from October 31 1956 to June 28 1958 at the Broadhurst Theatre the original Broadway production starred Rosalind Russell in the title role 4 The original Broadway cast also included Robert Allen as Mr Babcock Yuki Shimoda as Ito Robert Smith as Beau Polly Rowles as Vera Charles Jan Handzlik as young Patrick and Peggy Cass as Agnes Gooch 5 In 1957 both Russell and Cass were nominated for Tony Awards and Cass won the award A West Coast touring production starring Eve Arden in the title role and Benay Venuta as Vera Charles ran from August 4 to December 13 1958 with stops at San Diego Los Angeles and San Francisco 6 The British production of the play opened at the Adelphi Theatre in London on September 10 1958 and ran for 301 performances closing on 30 May 1959 Beatrice Lillie played the title role with Florence Desmond as Vera Charles later replaced by Joan Peart Dinsdale Landen played Patrick Dennis as a man Agnes Gooch was Rosamund Greenwood and Jill Melford played Pegeen Ryan 7 In December 1958 a film of the same title based on the play was released by Warner Brothers with Russell Shimoda Handzlik and Cass reprising their roles 3 Russell and Cass were both nominated for an Academy Award and Russell won a Golden Globe for her portrayal In 1966 a musical version titled Mame starring Angela Lansbury and Bea Arthur opened on Broadway In 1974 the musical was made into a film of the same title starring Lucille Ball Bea Arthur reprising her stage role and Robert Preston This film was a failure at the box office despite breaking attendance records during its Radio City Music Hall run and critics generally panned it for Ball s singing ability and thought she was not up to the part she was 62 years old In 2016 screenwriter Annie Mumolo told Vanity Fair that she was working on a modern day adaptation of the novel as a film with Tilda Swinton as Mame 8 Re issues EditIn September 2001 the book was re released in paperback by Broadway Books an imprint of Random House In 2009 the Italian publisher Adelphi re released the book which had been out of print for many years in its Italian translation under the title Zia Mame the book reached the top spot on Italian bestseller lists and stayed there for many weeks an unusual performance for a re release 9 References Edit List of the Books Coming Out Today The New York Times 21 January 21 1955 Marion Tanner obituary in the New York Times a b c Crowther Bosley 1958 12 05 Screen Auntie Mame The New York Times ISSN 0362 4331 Retrieved 2020 09 17 Beatrice Lillie was the replacement for Greer Garson Broadway and London Beatrice Lillie Broadway Cast amp Staff IBDBGreer Garson Broadway Cast amp Staff IBDB Auntie Mame at the Internet Broadway Database Retrieved 2014 03 15 https www ibdb com tour production auntie mame 531056 Wearing J P 1993 The London stage 1950 1959 a calendar of plays and players Metuchen New Jersey ISBN 0 8108 2690 9 OCLC 27897126 Annie Mumolo on Life After Bridesmaids and Her Secret Project with Tilda Swinton SAP NetWeaver Portal Ibuk it Retrieved 2012 06 11 External links Edit Auntie Mame at the Internet Broadway Database 1956 non musical play starring Rosalind Russell Mame at the Internet Broadway Database 1966 musical play starring Angela Lansbury The Classic New York of Mame Dennis Walking Off the Big Apple A Strolling Guide to New York City Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Auntie Mame amp oldid 1122923752, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
