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Its over 30 years since this film was released - never seen on DVD - and only to be bought on a now deleted VHS, it would be nice to have it out on DVD now - also the music release from this film has never been released since the 1970s vynil too! (although the stage show with Angela Landsbury is now on CD) Its not a bad musical really, it just was released a year or two too late to ride on the back of things like Hello Dolly and such! (Very 1960s musical style is the film) but worth a watch!
Anyway to show how good it is, here is We Need A Little Christmas, performed by Lucy. It will be of interest to Crossroads fans as I know this was featured in the soap sung by Noele Gordon in 1979.
By: MameDennis
Rating: 
Viewed: 31216 times
Tags: Lucy Ball Mame Crossroads
Length: 04:31
Comments
i love it ba rum paba bum
FYI, MameDennis, the music from this movie is available (at the very least) on iTunes.
I love her! She has a plastic face like me and the voice formed by 10,000,000 cigrettes!!!!!!
I agree! I would love to have this on DVD!!
I find Lucy painful in this role. Part of the problem is that she’s never been good at subtlety. Angela Lansbury could have done so much here. But at least they didn’t cast Martha Raye.
It IS on DVD. I got it at the library once.BTW-RIP Bea.
It IS on DVD. I got it at the library once.
BTW-RIP Bea.
She wasn’t a great Mame but I still love Lucy! BTW,this version is on DVD now and has been for several months.
She wasn’t a great Mame but I still love Lucy! BTW,this version is on DVD now and has been for several months.
Actually, Roz Russell did sing some of her Mame role. The tougher parts were done by Marni Nixon.If you listen closely you can tell when it’s Roz.
Actually, Roz Russell did sing some of her Mame role. The tougher parts were done by Marni Nixon.If you listen closely you can tell when it’s Roz.
Roz wasn’t in the musical of Mame. She did Mama Rose in the film of Gypsy which she did sing some of - Liisa Kirk dubbed the rest. You can tell which parts are Roz because she goes flat.
Roz wasn’t in the musical of Mame. She did Mama Rose in the film of Gypsy which she did sing some of - Liisa Kirk dubbed the rest. You can tell which parts are Roz because she goes flat.
I got it on DVD
I got it on DVD
CHER should do the remake of this and Auntie Mame
CHER should do the remake of this and Auntie Mame
Cher can not Turn back Time!
Cher can not Turn back Time!
I believe she was Goldwyn Girl.
I believe she was Goldwyn Girl.
I have seen this version so many times i have lost count love it. Even if they did have to smear vaseline on the camera lense to soften her looks.. Lucy was a beautiful person
I have seen this version so many times i have lost count love it. Even if they did have to smear vaseline on the camera lense to soften her looks.. Lucy was a beautiful person
Wow - these comments. Lucy was not a bitch, I knew her some. She was straight on, and didn’t beat around the bush…You knew what she was thinking. And sometimes, even if she didn’t mean it personally, the honest comments might not have sounded good…but she was genuine and pretty simple and unaffected. She was tough about work - and worked hard. Some of what’s here is conjecture. Because it was on some blog or whatever, doesn’t mean it’s true. Lucy wanted to do this role when she was younger.
Wow - these comments. Lucy was not a bitch, I knew her some. She was straight on, and didn’t beat around the bush…You knew what she was thinking. And sometimes, even if she didn’t mean it personally, the honest comments might not have sounded good…but she was genuine and pretty simple and unaffected. She was tough about work - and worked hard. Some of what’s here is conjecture. Because it was on some blog or whatever, doesn’t mean it’s true. Lucy wanted to do this role when she was younger.
She was a Goldwyn Girl.
Lucille Ball was quite ä lady - an excellent comedienne! BUT she stole the role of Mame away from Angela Lansbury. And is it Lucy’s voice we’re hearing or is she being dubbed? Anyone who knows? Dying to know!!!
i saw it on dvd the other day…
Whose calling Lucy a bitch?!? She was far from it!
It’s Lucy’s voice
Quite frankly, I don’t care if it’s Angela Lansbury or Lucille Ball singing it, it’s one of my fav Christmas songs.
Interesting. That’s one of the reason I have always appreciated Lucille Ball: the subtlety in her performances. She could be broad when required, but also subtle. Most other performers who try physical comedy lack the subtlety. As for Angela, I think she’s a terrific stage star, but her features are not right for the screen. Mame was supposed to be glamorous and beautiful, and I’ve always thought Angela was rather ordinary looking. Clearly, though, Angela is a superior singer.
I really love the way Lucy played this role. And I think she was a great singer. There is more to singing than having perfect pitch. Lucy was able to convey so much emotion into every song. Especially in “If He Walked Into My Life.” I love Angela Lansbury a lot too. I love them both. And Rosalind Russell was also an amazing Mame. They all played the role in their own ways and should be respected for that. To me, all three are different and all three are fantastic.
Lucille Ball, Bea Arthur and Robert Preston! Who could ask for a better trio!
I’d get this movie just to see a young Bruce Davison sing! That dude was sexy!
had lucy not broken her leg skiing near the time of filming, the dance numbers would have been more energetic, i think. one person who did NOT care for lucy was madelyn kahn, who was originally cast as gooch - she & lucy did not get along, & kahn was fired - later she said “on film lucy looks great, but in person she looks like a 102 year old chorus girl…”
My god… this movie should not have been made… Lucy is no Angi Lansburry… or Roz Russle for that matter. No one in this movie can actually sing, except Bea Arthur and the role was written for her not being able to sing
the poor bastards who don’t like Lucy’s perfect performance in this film, dont deserve to have sight.
leave lucy alone, dont ever criticise lucy
you should not be leaving mean,comments about lucille ball,she is a legend and if you dont have anything nice to say please dont say anything at all
Pretty sure Im allowed to voice my opinion… and just because someone is a comedy legend doesnt mean everything they do is brilliant… this is bad, thats all there is to it
i love Lucille in this! shes not the most amazing singer, but who cares, she sounds good and she is amazing anyway pure and simple.
We all need a little christmass whar a great performance. I also love “OPen a New Window”. Thank you for posting this. XX
I posted the full DVD Rip on my account DuBarryWasALady if anyone wants to watch it
Lucille Ball has always admitted she couldn’t sing. Her voice did fit the character. I enjoyed the movie. I thought Lucy did a very good job in the role. I am also a fan of Angela Lansbury and I love everything she does.
i agree she did a great job in this film
i agree with youlucy was a great singer
yes it is lucy’s voice and she did a terrific job
i have the record album which i bought on ebay
Surely, you’re joking. Lucy was NO where near a great singer…not even a good one.. yes it sort of fits here for this role, but SINGER.. No.. No…No..Don’t get me wrong. I adore lucy and still remember when she died and I heard it on the news, I cried and so did a lot of my friends.
I think it’s fascinating the way Lucille Ball imitates Lansbury’s gestures when she dances. Not bad but not the original.But A. L. was not the only broadway star to be denied her signature role in the movie - remember My fair Lady?
i love how they decorate the lady on the table so she looks like a tree. i love lucy
No DVD yet???????????????????
I LOVE LUCY FOR REAL
i love this film & managed to get the dvd offebay..great when your feeling a bit down.I always choose we need a little christmas now & loving you. great
my god, she sounds like phylis diller
Lucy could bring off a song, cos, she sang them right, but her voice was better as a young lady. Too much talent there and I wish she’d done more drama, but we were Blessed to have her brand of entertainment. And hey! Who cannot smile when you hear this song
with lucille and bea ,
ohh i used to sing this song every year in school !!!
I absolutely ADORE this movie, and this song. I concur, this needs to be on DVD! Thank you so much for posting this.
It is! Check out Barnes and Noble or Amazon. It was released in 2007.
Although say that Lucille Ball wasn’t cut out for it, I think she did a fairly decent rendition of this song. I suppose many just dislike her performance because they were more accustomed to Angela Lansbury whose performance for this was astounding.
Aw right. So it ain’t Angela Lansbury but what the heck I still love Lucy any way!
love this song
Lucille did give it her all.
I have the dvd its nice to watch Lucy!
Like “Hello, Dolly,” the role of Mame belonged to Angela Lansbury just as the role of Dolly Levy belonged to Carol Channing. Angela Lansbury and Carol Channing were perfect in their roles and Hollywood really messed-up when it failed to cast those two in the roles they made world-famous on Broadway. Hollywood has a way of doing things like that…..nothing against Lucy and Barbra but they did not cut it in the roles.
Sorry, but I think that Rosalind Russell owns this part and always will. If you’ve never seen the movie, DO!
Nahhh, I never had any empathy for Rosalind Russell’s version. She made Mame seem so self-centered and inconsiderate. Lucy’s performance made her seem so vulnerable. She truly seemed to love the boy as her own, as oppose to Russell’s seemingly temporary fascination with him as if he were just a pet or a new toy.
I love both, but Lucy really nailed it. And I agree, I think Mame would have been strong in the face of adversity, but really vunerable under the skin.
Actually I looked on Amazon and it is out on DVD.
I love Lucy, but this movie stank and Mame with Rosalind Russel is my all time fave! I just couldn’t bear to watch this version all the way through it’s so poorly done on so many levels and too bad cuz I do feel like Lucy gave it her all.
Lucielle Ball was always a B-Movie Actress and I think Angela Lansbury should’ve been in the film. But still…it isn’t as bad as other films I’ve seen.
haaay : D
Yeah, WB. Release MAME on DVD already so I can buy it!
The Mame dvd with Lucille Ball came out in 2007.
yes, but lucy was miscast from the begining. but whatever lucy wanted she got.
I LOVE this movie so much. I just watched it again, and it really brightened my day. =)
Amen! Mame on DVD would be a dream come true!
Its out on dvd and I got it on the Lucille Ball movie collection set !
lucy needs a throat lozenge, like really bad
As is mentioned, MAME is out there is a collection of 5 films. Worth it as it shows her dramas and comedy, MAME..was she too old, yes. Could she sing, no. Were cameras filtered, yes, But it was Lucy! Who cares? Was gorgeous. Always stood out, even in film like ‘Stage Door’, with Kate Hepburn, Ginger rogers, Eve Arden, from early 30’s. You notice her. Even when young, perfect timing. I have loved Lucy since I saw her in reruns, in NY on channel 5, every day. An American icon. This boy loves Lucy!
I already got that!
Repulsive & grotesque.
As much as i love Mame and I love Lucy, I don’t love them together! Also, that Santa mask was just damned creepy!
Lucy brought a joy to anything she did! I love watching her! May not be great, but, what fun!
Why didn’t Angela get the opportunity to do the movie version?
I still luv lucy
@KingCobra121 Me too R,I,P lucy
wow that sucks
!! I want it !!! is there a DVD ??
your wish has been granted, the DVD is on sale
PLEASE DONT READ THIS. YOU WILL GET KISSED ON THE NEAREST POSSIBLE FRIDAY BY THE LOVE OF YOUR LIFE. TOMORROW WILL BE THE BEST DAY OF YOUR LIFE. HOWEVER IF YOU DONT POST THIS COMMENT something bad will happen. NOW UV STARTED READIN DIS DUNT STOP THIS IS SO SCARY. SEND THIS TO 5 VIDEOS IN 143 MINUTES WHEN UR DONE PRESS F6 AND UR CRUSHES NAME WILL APPEAR ON THE SCREEN IN BIG LETTERS. THIS IS SO SCARY CAUSE IT ACTUALLY WORKS THIS ACTUALLY WORKS
Rosalin Russel was much better.
PLEASE DONT READ THIS. YOU WILL GET KISSED ON THE NEAREST POSSIBLE FRIDAY BY THE LOVE OF YOUR LIFE. TOMORROW WILL BE THE BEST DAY OF YOUR LIFE. HOWEVER IF YOU DONT POST THIS COMMENT something bad will happen. NOW UV STARTED READIN DIS DUNT STOP THIS IS SO SCARY. SEND THIS TO 5 VIDEOS IN 143 MINUTES WHEN UR DONE PRESS F6 AND UR CRUSHES NAME WILL APPEAR ON THE SCREEN IN BIG LETTERS. THIS IS SO SCARY CAUSE IT ACTUALLY WORKS THIS ACTUALLY WORKS
PLEASE DONT READ THIS. YOU WILL GET KISSED ON THE NEAREST POSSIBLE FRIDAY BY THE LOVE OF YOUR LIFE. TOMORROW WILL BE THE BEST DAY OF YOUR LIFE. HOWEVER IF YOU DONT POST THIS COMMENT something bad will happen. NOW UV STARTED READIN DIS DUNT STOP THIS IS SO SCARY. SEND THIS TO 5 VIDEOS IN 143 MINUTES WHEN UR DONE PRESS F6 AND UR CRUSHES NAME WILL APPEAR ON THE SCREEN IN BIG LETTERS. THIS IS SO SCARY CAUSE IT ACTUALLY WORKS THIS ACTUALLY WORKS
PLEASE DONT READ THIS. YOU WILL GET KISSED ON THE NEAREST POSSIBLE FRIDAY BY THE LOVE OF YOUR LIFE. TOMORROW WILL BE THE BEST DAY OF YOUR LIFE. HOWEVER IF YOU DONT POST THIS COMMENT something bad will happen. NOW UV STARTED READIN DIS DUNT STOP THIS IS SO SCARY. SEND THIS TO 5 VIDEOS IN 143 MINUTES WHEN UR DONE PRESS F6 AND UR CRUSHES NAME WILL APPEAR ON THE SCREEN IN BIG LETTERS. THIS IS SO SCARY CAUSE IT ACTUALLY WORKS THIS ACTUALLY WORKS
I simply adore Lucy but she CANNOT sing.
PLEASE DONT READ THIS. YOU WILL GET KISSED ON THE NEAREST POSSIBLE FRIDAY BY THE LOVE OF YOUR LIFE. TOMORROW WILL BE THE BEST DAY OF YOUR LIFE. HOWEVER IF YOU DONT POST THIS COMMENT something bad will happen. NOW UV STARTED READIN DIS DUNT STOP THIS IS SO SCARY. SEND THIS TO 5 VIDEOS IN 143 MINUTES WHEN UR DONE PRESS F6 AND UR CRUSHES NAME WILL APPEAR ON THE SCREEN IN BIG LETTERS. THIS IS SO SCARY CAUSE IT ACTUALLY WORKS THIS ACTUALLY WORKS
PLEASE DONT READ THIS. YOU WILL GET KISSED ON THE NEAREST POSSIBLE FRIDAY BY THE LOVE OF YOUR LIFE. TOMORROW WILL BE THE BEST DAY OF YOUR LIFE. HOWEVER IF YOU DONT POST THIS COMMENT something bad will happen. NOW UV STARTED READIN DIS DUNT STOP THIS IS SO SCARY. SEND THIS TO 5 VIDEOS IN 143 MINUTES WHEN UR DONE PRESS F6 AND UR CRUSHES NAME WILL APPEAR ON THE SCREEN IN BIG LETTERS. THIS IS SO SCARY CAUSE IT ACTUALLY WORKS THIS ACTUALLY WORKS
Well, this clip explains why this movie bombed.
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE Release on DVD!
@Jen21998 try amazon .com i got it a few months ago
Ugh!!!
@wealthylesbian because she is an old drag queen wanna be!
Read Leonard Marlins review. He rates it BOMB and says even those who love Lucy with be embarrassed by this. Calling Fred and Ethel Mertz!! She was too old for the part and couldn’t sing. Lucy had cast approval and nixed Madeline Kahn in a key part. Sadly, it was Lucy’s last theatrical film.
they’ll never be another Lucille Ball……….she was the best.
no she did a great job on this. I love this movie
both versions have been on DVD for years. I have both of them.
And don’t forget that special lens…apart from her awful singing, much of the criticism focused on the very “fuzzy” lens used on Lucy. She was too old but she just imagine what Mame would have been like if the two original choices played the part -Ethel Merman, then Mary Martin…both centuries too old and totally wrong.
Mame Starring Lucille Ball is available on DVD through Amazon.com
I thought like you did about the DVD, but, it is available and in stock at Books-a-Million. I ordered it on-line and received it about 5 days later.
I thought like you did about the DVD, but, it is available and in stock at Books-a-Million. I ordered it on-line and received it about 5 days later.Enjoy. Glad I could help.ALSO, I love Fran Drescher in The Nanny. If you have ever just watched her act and not just watched the show, she is classic Lucy.
My mother and I would watch and sing-a-long, I think about it alot now that she’s gone. I don’t think they hired Lucille Ball because she could sing. Her performance with the volume off just knocks my socks off. I just have not been that fond of Angela and I sure can’t see her as a Mother doing anything for her child or being the appealing companion for a man to date. Maybe they showed you one side, the georgeous Lucy, and then the other, the singer (?) Angela.
when was this version made?
@sharkfin478 , 1973 and released in 1974.
I love this movie, but as many have already pointed out, Lucy’s voice left something to be desired. I blame Philip Morris. :\
Rosalind Russell’s verision is 1000 times better than this one. If you like this one, check out Auntie Mame and report back.
@wealthylesbian The reference to Cher makes no sense. And how wealthy can you be, Mme. Lesbian, if you don’t have proper spelling and grammatical skills?
THANK YOU!!!!!
THANK YOU!!!!!
has warner heard our plea to make a dvd of this movie?
For those of you looking this most certainly is on dvd. I own a copy and it is a manufactured dvd, not something someone made. It may be from out of the country since a lot of our movies are on dvd outside this country, lord knows why, but they are available. Try ebay, I think that’s where I got mine.
that’s the creepiest mask i’ve ever seen.
@Cerulean0987 rosslind’s version was not a musical.. If we only had one dimention of everything, only one concept why would we need more than one diet soda???
@jmgriffin10 agreed. WB was looking for a show piece for Miss Ball. A crown. Something they could show case “Technicolour Tessie” (as she was called back at RKO) it is a delightful story, based on an awsome book. Comparing it to other productions is just plain wrong. ART is not perfect…. These cookie cutter studio performers are pale pale pale.Angela and Roslind are stars in their own right. Diversity is ART.
I honestly can’t imagine someone else as Mame or Vera. Lucy and Bea were perfect for the role. And Lucy proves in movies like “Dance Girl Dance” and “Mame” that she can do more than just comedy.
Oh, we all Love Lucy…
@pudgeuncle rosalind russel wasn’t young either when she played mameshe was 58 years old
@colormemichael Russell was 51 [born in 1907] but comparatively Lucy [who was in her 60's] looked a lot older. Ideally Mame should be younger than both of them.
I found it on Ebay. Search Mame Lucille Ball
Anyone got the rosalind russell version ??
@pudgeuncle… the book / movie covers a period of 4 decades. age is NOT relavent in movies. Lucy was 64 and had just broken her leg skiiing. Production was only postponed for 6 months. merry Christmas ALL!
@gracecc5249 you are correct… it is available in many Lucy movie gift sets as well!! Merry Christmas all!
@moonraise You can’t be remotely serious. Make this comment to anyone in the industry [and I used to be] and they will laugh until they choke on their tongues. And in the history of movies, I cannot think of a single performace of all-time more criticized for being miscast for being WAY too old. I LOVE LUCY…but as Mame she was a dinosaur.
@parzifal40 “Mame stayed up all night and drank champagne! What did you expect her to sound like? Julie Andrews?” - Lucille Ball
I have always enjoyed this movie for some reason it always cheers me up it’s great love it!
@agnes1ph they must have… it has been on DVD for about 6 years
AND in many lucy/movie gift sets
@jmgriffin10 Fran, Lily Tomlyn, Shelly Long and many TV stars of comedy have said that Lucy was THE mentor of comedy. At a live performance of her daghter , Lucie Arnaz, I met Lucie’s son (Miss Ball’s grandson) and we keep in touch by email. Lucy always said he was not funny at home but he said that it was always a hoot. sorry… i digress.
@pudgeuncle …the movie, book and play cover a 30 year period. ART is diversity. NO ONE owns a role. I love seeing different versions of EVERYthing… otherwise it would all be soooooo flat _________.
@pudgeuncle I’m in “the industry”… not sure what that has to do with anything.How “young” is Auntie Mame supposed to be… age relavence = Olivia Newton John at 30 playing a high school student. I am well aware of agism in the movie industry. Thank God Broadway does not exercise the same discrimination
They have this movie on DVD.I bought it last year through Amazon.com..
I agree sure would like to get the movie…..
She was expecting really big things to come from this movie. I think it was the wrong vehicle for her. The critics were really cruel to her. Oh well, that’s show biz….
B/c yeah…this role was stolen by Lucy. It’s a CRIME against Roz Russell’s version from the 50s. Furthermore, Lucy…CAN’T SING! Wasn’t that the WHOLE point of I Love Lucy???
Imagine if they had paired Roz with Bea Arthur and the new Gloria. Robert Preston, Plus the music. Now there is a movie. I love Lucy but no-one can approach Rosalind Russell in this role.
I agree. What’s taking so long? I’ve been hanging on to my VHS for decades! That, and the 1st season of MAUDE!!!
@yentl50 They have the DVD out already. I bought it a while ago.
It’s not easy to find but it’s been out on DVD for several years. I believe I found mine through Boader’s Book Store. Good luck in your search.
The Patrick from Autie Mame was super adorable, this one looks like a Leprechaun.
The orchestra was either badly recorded or just not balanced right?! The orchestra arrs. seem a bit “dumbed down” from the original score amongst other things. I can buy Lucille Ball in this role but the orchestration behind this singing just doesn’t help at all?!
you got your wish and they realised it on dvd
it was BAD…
@parzifal40 same with Ethel Merman for Gypsy. HUGE mistake!
@Geostrum2 thankyou thankyou thankyou, thats riiiiight
Thanks to your clip I bought the DVD from Amazon. Thank you very much for showing.
It’s now on DVD
you can rent on netflix on disk now Im glad too.: )
And of course Julie Andrews in “My Fair Lady”, but she got her revenge and won the Oscar for “Mary Poppins”. However, we were deprived of the great pleasure of having that performance on film forever.
Angela Lansbury wasn’t interested in the role. And perhaps for the best. The movie did tank. Bea Arthur who reprised her role of Vera saw the final nail driven into the coffin of her marriage after she rebounded from the flop while her husband, director Gene Saks, sunk further into irrelevance and couldn’t swallow his pride and handle having a successful wife. Lucy did a great job considering how musicals were not her thing. It was a great movie w/ great actors simply produced in the wrong era.
I need to learn this song for chours, Love it!
I saw this in first release in 1974 and I remember when MAME was on B’way. I recently watched the MAME VHS in my collection. The colors, costumes and sets are superbly rich. 1974 was way past the Movie Musical era. Lucy was a consumate actress, but once she became Lucy Ricardo, she could do or be no other and she may have been a little long in the tooth for the Mame character. Her whiskey tenor voice in Mame was just terrible, but what wouldn’t we do to hear that voice just once again, now?
In 1974 Baskin & Robins celebrated the opening of Lucy’s MAME by introducing PEACHY MAME flavored ice cream with photos of Lucy as the Moon Lady emblazened on everything.
WOW, what a smokers and drinkers voice!
I love Lucy
First off I have to say I am amazed that Lucy can sing. After seeing all those failed attempts on I Love Lucy I had kinda lost hope. I must say I am proud to be wrong about her as a singer though…she also did one good song on the Lucy Show that wasn’t horrible. On a side note I notice in this song she’s decorating 1 week before christmas. Feels to me like people took this idea to heart and to the extremes, the local mall has been decorated for X Mas since around Halloween
This was 1974, not 1973. Saw it in the movies first run, then ran to the record store to buy the album!
Both DVD of Mame with Rosilnd Russell and Lucille Ball can be purchased at TCM.
Actually the best version is the Rosalind Russell version is MUCH better. AND it’s on DVD……….
It’s out on DVD now! YAY! you can get it on Amazon