Any thoughts on who would be good to play the title character if a new version of the film were to be made?
Personally I think Meryl Streep would be an excellent choice if the film were made into a musical again. Meryl has already proven her vocal abilities in Mamma Mia and I don't think she would have to much trouble with dancing.
Frankly, I don't think there's really anyone out there today who can tackle MAME - the best they could do for the 2006 revival was Christine Baranski, and that wasn't good enough to move to Broadway.
Meryl Streep is 62 years old - approximately the same age a certain Lucille Ball was when she filmed MAME.
"In my case, self-absorption is completely justified."
Interesting that Meryl Streep is almost the same age as Lucy when she did Mame. I think Meryl looks a lot younger than her 62 years. She's certainly quite vivacious and I'll bet if given the chance Meryl would give it a good try. Just my opinion.
shareWhat about Bette Midler?
shareBette Midler would be excellent if she could keep up the pace. I've been giving this question some thought lately and I was actually thinking of Julia Louis Dreyfuss. Any opinions of Julia?
shareDon't know who she is.I thought of Madonna.
shareYou don't know who Julia Louis Dreyfuss is? She played the female lead on "Seinfeld" and the lead on "The New Adventures Of Old Christine".
After I posted my message I too thought of Madonna. I think she might be pretty good at it as well.
The biggest problem with Madonna is that she is an absolutely terrible actress!!
Bette Midler is too old now and after seeing GYPSY I would hope she wouldn`t try to tackle another book musical.
Dorothy stop that, Mr. Ha Ha`s lookin at you!!
Madonna as Mame? She's not a generous enough performer for the role. Bette Midler is not a Mame. She could play Vera, though. For a long time I thought either Raquel Welch or Ann Margret would be good in the role, but now they're both too old. Glenn Close turned it down. That's why she did South Pacific for TV instead. Goldie Hawn was talked about for it, but she's too old now.
Maybe Kate Hudson? Christine Baranski did it in Washington, D.C. I don't know. I doubt it will ever be remade. Pity, because the Lucy version is dreadful.
I must be old. Doesn't anyone else remember that "Auntie Mame" was the original (I think) version, and starred Rosalind Russell? It was not a musical and, while not as big or polished a production (1958), it was a wonderful film. I imagine many regard it as superior to the 1974 film.
My point here is that, if you're looking for a new Mame, she need not be a singer. I can't think of anyone off-hand, but this concept opens the field up a bit, I think. I actually think Rue McClanahan would've been great if they'd done it some years ago; it's too bad she's gone.
You are correct with your thinking about a non-musical Mame. Since Mame was a comedy, that would be the only key element that would be needed in playing the role, an actress who could play a comedic part which brings me back to my original choice of Meryl Streep. Despite the fact she's in her early 60's, Meryl has the stamina for the role.
shareThe problem with plays that are made into successful musicals is that the musical version tends to overshadow the original work and take prominence - when was the last time you read of a production of I AM A CAMERA or GREEN GROW THE LILACS? Even Thornton Wilder's THE MATCHMAKER took a back seat to HELLO DOLLY. And so it was with AUNTIE MAME - although there were still productions into the mid-1960s, once MAME became a hot property, AUNTIE MAME moved to a back-burner (it is said that when the producers of the musical were seeking backers, some of the potential investors thought AUNTIE MAME had been a musical, because director Morton Da Costa had given the production such a fast pace!).
As I've mentioned elsewhere, there were plans in the late 80s to film AUNTIE MAME as a vehicle for Goldie Hawn - Warners had shelled out quite a few bucks for the original novel - but Hawn ultimately had to withdraw. Tilda Swinton has some crazy idea about updating AUNTIE MAME to the 1960s and making Mame some kind of hippy, and I hope to Hollywood Heaven that Patrick Dennis's estate NEVER even gives her an option on it.
"In my case, self-absorption is completely justified."
She may be too old, but Goldie Hawn would be an absolute dream as Mame and she's in dire new of a good "return" to Hollywood.
And of course Annette Benning would make AN AMAZING Auntie Mame, she's tailor made for it now and the perfect age.
Though I know if it were remade they most likely cast Renee Zelweger as Mame
You know to this day I still can't believe Carol Burnett never played Mame with Vicki Lawrence as Agnes Gooch(or Vera Charles)
Jacks
There were so many actress who could have played Mame in 1973: Goldie Hawn, Julie Andrews, Natalie Wood, Debbie Reynolds, Liza Minnelli, Carol Burnett, Geraldine Page, Shirley Maclaine,Anne Bancroft, Shirley Jones, Madeline Kahn, Barbra Streisand, Maggie Smith, Karen Black and of course, Angela Lansbury.
shareIn 1973 Goldie Hawn wasn't even 30, a 20somthing playing Mame would be a crime haha even if it was Goldie Hawn.
What would I give to see Shirley Maclaine as Mame *sighs* (seeing her in Downton, now she's really REALLY too old to play her, anybody have a time machine?)
I wish ABC would have done a Wonderful World of Disney tv movie remake of Mame like they did with Cinderella.
Jacks
"I wish ABC would have done a Wonderful World of Disney tv movie remake of Mame like they did with Cinderella."
There were plans for a TV remake of MAME - at one point CHER was all but signed - she even mentioned it in interviews; at another point Barbra Streisand's name was attached to the project as a co-producer. The project was ultimately shelved, due, if I recall, to some legal wranglings with Patrick Dennis's estate.
"In my case, self-absorption is completely justified."
My choices for the role:
Jennifer Lawrence (have this set in the current day)
Pink (somewhat young, but it would work-also set this in current day, or even in the late 20's like the original)
Tilda Swinton (and yes, I agree with her idea of setting it in the 1960s and having here be a young hippie heiress-if Shakespeare plays can be set in the present day, why can't this musical be?)
I've pondered it and I must admit, everyone I think of doesn't have the vocal range which was Lucy's problem. Mame is written for a higher alto and Lucy was almost barratone.
"I think you'll just LOVE Peckerwood!"
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One problem is that everyone is probably thinking of Angela Landsbury's characterization. I don't know that there's anyone that fits that mould. But here are some people who might be interesting:
1) Queen Latifah. Yes, non-traditional casting. But she has the ability to act kooky. She can definitely sing the part.
2) Megan Mullally. She definitely has personality and Mame's kooky factor. She's the right age. She can sing. (Don't confuse her for the character she played on Will & Grace. She can sing out of Karen Walker territory. She'd have to keep it out of it.
3) Vanessa Williams.
4) Ana Gasteyer. She has the comedic chops and can sing.
5) Allison Janey. She can sing. She can kook.
I dunno but Rachel Dratch would HAVE to play Agnes Gooch.
share