Why do so many gay people love this film? - Auntie Mame (1958) Discussion

[–] LordLustworthy 17 years ago

After Mame's husband falls from the mountain:

Lindsey: "You know Mame can't sit still for too long. SHe's got to have a project."

Vera: "She's got a project! Now she's a Tragic Queen!

(Also, the name of the secretarial service they get Gooch from is Speedo.)

"They're all gonna laugh at you! They're all gonna laugh at you!

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[–] Harold_Robbins 17 years ago

The use of "Tragic Queen" and "Speed-o" were completely coincidental and have absolutely no gay subtext, because they were lifted directly from the Lawrence and Lee play, and as far as I know both gentlemen were quite straight.

At this point I suppose someone should say "We're here - we're queer - hey, let's watch Auntie Mame!"

"I don't use a pen: I write with a goose quill dipped in venom!"---W. Lydecker

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[–] willjohn 11 years ago

In 1958 "Speedo" was a brand of Australian swimwear. The trunks, which Americans now call "speedos" were worn by male Australian Olympic swimmers and the idea of the name was to give the idea you swam faster in them.

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[–] somethingwicked 17 years ago

Auntie Mame is a flamboyant woman, and I do believe that is why many flamboyant gay men love this movie. Not every gay man is flamboyant, though.

The existentialists would approve.

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[–] moorlock2003 17 years ago

Gay men love this film because it has a very strong gay sensibility throughout. This may be, in fact, the gayest movie of all time. I adore it. It is outlandishly funny; a real hoot.

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[–] keywslt 17 years ago

My 2 cents:
Because it validates the fact that you can be different, outrageous at times, welcome everyone who wants you into their lives, and have something to teach, to pass on, to care for a child, to never compromise your beliefs and to succeed in living a full, productive, and eventful life.
Any further questions?

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[–] QueerVamp20 17 years ago

I cannot speak for any other gay men but here's my reason:

I first watched this a few years ago with my grandmother, and I just really loved the movie after seeing it. Mame is eccentric and spontaneous, and doesn't care what other people think. Maybe gay people (including myself) are able to relate to the movie (or at least the way Mame is in the movie). But this movie is brilliant on its own. The story, the acting, and th characters are all so interesting. Anyone can love this movie. Everyone just takes different things away from it. But I am sure there are many other people besides us gay people that love this movie.

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[–] jameelahere-1 16 years ago

It's over the top and very faaaaaashionable!

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[–] Dannybob 16 years ago

I've always believed that Auntie Mame acts like a drag queen - flamboyant, over-the-top, larger than life. You can't help but love it.

I remember being on a weekend rehearsal retreat with our local gay chorus and I was pretty young then. During "recreation" night someone had a 16mm projector - and four or five reels of Auntie Mame! No VCRs or DVD players back then! As soon as they started showing it, most of the guys started yelling the lines back at the screen. It was the best time I've ever had!

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[–] petersj-2 16 years ago

Auntie Mame represents the kind of woman gay men love. Down to eartg and not retricted by narrow minded values. She also gets up when she is down. I love Auntie Mame.

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[–] brefane 16 years ago

Mame has been described as a transvestite and the film is campy!!

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[–] jtyroler 16 years ago

I think the attraction is that Mame is willing to not conform to what people expect - there's a lot of pressure to conform, especially if you feel "different" from others. I know some straight men who think it's a great movie because you have someone who is willing to be not only different, but thrives because of it. To me, it's a very empowering movie.

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[–] praxagora 16 years ago

I'm not a gay man - but my guess is thats she excepts everybody, she has style & she has the money to pull it all off.

I wish that more people were as accepting as Mame.
It'd be a much nicer planet.

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[–] EndorasBox 15 years ago

Because gay men have taste.

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[–] director777 15 years ago

just caught this on TV today and liked it. Finding this post made me smile

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[–] nbroyles 15 years ago

although i am merely a hetrosexual female, to me, the reason this film is so revered by the gay community seems obvious. Auntie Mame is progressive way ahead of her time, she is liberal in her attitudes, embraces peoples differences, different cultures, and truly admires individuality. also, in the end, her aversion to conventional attitudes is dealt with. poetic justice.

if you want to go the stereotypical route:
the outlandish outfits, all those fabulous HATS!
the New York apartment with its revolving decor
live, live, live - life is a banquet and most people are starving!

although i am not gay, i was raised liberal. my parents always taught me to never judge others, and to accept people as they are. they ingrained in me that all people are created equal; no matter the color of their skin, their religous beliefs or sexual preferences.

Auntie Mame is one of my very most favorite movies.

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