whastings1973 This movie is wonderful and I can't stand to see anyone but Lucy play Mame. In fact, the Christmas song, "We need a little Christmas" was written for this movie.Lucy and Bea Arthur have great chemistry and I would watch this movie over and over..Anyone who disses this movie doesn't know a good movie when they see it.She shows her talent in everything she is in. Lucy is so versatile she can play any character..Love that Lucy!She is truly the Queen of Comedy!!! WAtching Lucy is good therapy for anything that has you down in the dumps. She will raise your spirits!

cats2011 Can I say firstly that I do admire he comic abilities of Bea Artur and Lucille Ball. There attempts at singing left me wanting to block my ears. I seen Lucille Ball in an early movie with the Marx Brothers and her voice wasn't always like that-excessive smoking did that too her. If only the pair could have listened to themselves properly but I'm told that self appraisal isn't sufficient enough , so they persisted with a box office turkey. Even today if this movie was redone with Sirley Maclaine and Cher, in the lead rolls and singing than maybe I might view the picture in another light because the musical numbers were not all that bad

arsportsltd Lucille Ball was very fine as Mame Dennis in the Warner Bros film "Mame". Starting with the terrific opening sequence the rest of the film was what Warner Bros and Lucille Ball wanted, a photographed Play. Lucille Ball started her career as a showgirl in the 20's and nearly 50 years later still had a terrific showgirl figure. I liked Robert Preston as the male star. Bruce Davison had a fine start to his career and does well in this movie. To those who still years after this movie opened still complain about the casting of Lucille Ball, the fact is that money talks. Lucille Ball was the only star of her contemporaries who could have opened this Warner Bros picture as well as it did. Great songs from Jerry Herman, and choreography by Oona White. Additonally there has been some carping on these boards that Ms. Ball invested $5 Million US Dollars to co produce Mame and insure her casting. On a YouTube Video with Ms. Ball on the Phil Donahue show the host asks Ms. Ball if she wanted the movie to be a hit for the Studio. Ms. Ball replies on YouTube that "It wasn't My studio, it was Warner Bros., but no one wants to be in a flop". I hope this settles once and for all: Lucille Ball did not invest in Mame as a ploy to be its star. David Barra Los Angeles

alangalpert I don't think this movie is nearly as bad as many people say. The choreography is spirited, several of the songs are memorable, the set designs are vibrant, some of the dialogue is witty, and the character of Vera (Bea Arthur) is a hoot. One song, "Bosom Buddies", is even clever. Most of the criticism seems to revolve around the casting of Lucille Ball as Mame. Granted she is not the best singer, but her acting is better than acceptable. Her face expresses both elation and sadness quite convincingly, and we can easily believe she is the free spirit that Mame is supposed to be. Two things, however, are downright stupid. Mame and young Patrick sitting on the Statue of Liberty's hat is straight out of a cartoon. Almost as absurd is Mame's skill at riding a temperamental horse when it is obvious, from the look of terror on her face, that she has never even been astride a horse before. Many movies require "suspension of disbelief", but that exceeds my willingness to do it.