Auntie Mame (1958) - Morton De Costa

There are some roles that come around for actors that are so damn good, you imagine everyone rampantly pursuing it. Rosallind Russell scored a career defining role in the stage produciton of Auntie Mame, and seemed a perfect choice for the film version. Even if her status as a movie star may have slipped a little over the years, she was still "big" enough to lead a film, and her personality was enough to carry this picture through. At times overly theatrical, the films inherent eccentricity make it worthwhile. The same people put off by Katherine Hepburn in Bringing Up Baby would most likely despise Russell here. Life is a banquet indeed. The film was nominated for six Oscars and took home none, so people obviously liked the film, but apparently not enough. Most of the films best moments seem to be taken from the stage, particularly the modifications in sets and costumes, but as predictable as it may be, the film is still rewarding. Ironically the films most horrifically annoying character Agnes Gooch was another performance singled out by the academy.

*Auntie Mame was nominated for best actress (Russell), best art direction, best color cinematography, best editing, best picture, and best supporting actress (Peggy Cass)