Roz Russell began her career as a dramatic actress. Early on, however, she claim her name to fame in comedy while performing in the film, "The Women" when she wisely elected to play her role of Sylvia Fowler in a slapstick way, and from there the stage was set. She grew as an actress in many different roles, so multi-talented, but if you ask me her very best role ever was within this film. In a very real sense, it took so much of her variety of talent to play the role of Mame Dennis - at times the film made you cry, but it usually had you laughing. Coral Browne gave an outstanding performance as Vera Charles - she and Russell were both under-rated actresses. Peggy Cass did a great job as well. To be honest, I never really saw Cass in much other than "To Tell The Truth" in the 1960's, but she was a great "sponge" of a secretary that was over 200 in Auntie Mame! Later, I very much enjoyed Roz Russell's Autobiography "Life is a Banquet" about that Cathoic girl from Waterbury, CT who worshiped at the Parish in Beverly Hills she called, "Our Lady of the Cadillacs" and although Russell was a devout Catholic, she did not show it off in the obnoxious way that Loretta Young did. Reverend Mother from "The Trouble With Angels" was certainly a beauty, an outstanding actress, and this was in my mind her very greatest film. From what I understand, she had a long tour on stage with the play before it was brought to the Warner lot. Very well done. I never bore of watching it. Whenever I want to feel good - there it is, so faithful, so there, just like Beekman Place! That's it!
Review of Auntie Mame
