Mame: Bosom Buddies (Lucille Ball & Bea Arthur)

[bodyvegas]

This is a much better version than the one with Rosalind Russell

[rmutt4]

Lucy's Mame is one of the great miscasts of the past century

[dav1237]

Bea should have played Mame and Bette Davis sould have played Vera.(they both wanted to)

[DorothyZbornak1922]

Not as good as the original broadway production,But aleast we have Mame on flim to watch over and over again.Think Bea outshined Lucy in the this version.

[KeikoMagari]

Are both of these women dead? '3'

[suitsmelikeasuit]

@KeikoMagari Unfortunately, yes. Lucy died of a heart condition in 1989 aged 77; Bea died of cancer in 2009 aged 86.

[marijuanagate2health]

What a horror! Lucille Ball sings like one of those machines that chews up asphalt from a street soon to be repaved.

[BearyHairy]

Broadway and Hollywood L.A. have the strangest relationship imaginable. Jerry Herman was correct in wanting Angela Lansbury to reprise the role she created on Broadway, as Mame. L.A. said no. Carol Channing should have starred in Hello Dolly. L.A. said no. We got Streisand instead. Zero Mostel should have starred in the film Fiddler on the roof. L.A. said no. We got Topol instead. I love Rosalind Russell, but Merman should have been Mama Rose in the film. 4 good movies could have been classics.

[marijuanagate2health]

@BearyHairy don't forget replacing Julie Andrews in My Fair Lady with Audrey Hepburn and Marnie Nixon's voice over vocals! But I do think Julie Andrews was abetter choice for the Sound of Music than Mary Martin.

[BearyHairy]

@marijuanagate2health Hi. I could not agree with you more. Look at Fiddler On The Roof. Zero Mostel created the role on Broadway to miraculous reviews and acclaim. Yet, the film producers didn’t want to pay the dollars Mostel asked for. So, for the film we get Topol (a nice enough guy); an eighth stringer from out no where for the lead. It was like trading out Harrison Ford for Don Knotts for crying out loud. Thank you for your astute commentary. Peace. Bear

[UncleOafie]

Before this movie came out, there were Critics who had made reference to Lucille Ball's age, and that she would'nt be believeable in the role as Mame. As it was, the camera-men used gauze over the camera lens to filter out Lucy's wrinkles, thus giving her the appearance of looking younger. Even with some of the negative personal opinions and comments made here, I'm still delighted she did this movie. The cast, the sets, the costumes, the music...were all beautifully created. I like it a lot!

[laycho2002]

jerry herman insisted on angela lansbury to reprise her role but the producer think that shes not bankable enough (in one of his interview and he said that he will not buy the dvd lol....)

i love bea arthur ....for a change she was wearing a hills...and i love her voice..

[petclark1]

Though I loved Lucy in her early TV sitcom, she should never have been given this role. Admittedly by '74 when this was released, big-musicals were failing seeming one after the other, the powers that be didn't think Angela Lansbury would have enough star power to bring in a movie audience. So instead of having Angela and Bea, and I bet a lot of the origial Broadway cast,to have on film in their Mame roles forever, instead we've this trainwreck to forever remind us who SHOULD'VE played Mame.

[Barbaraplease]

"...but sweetie I'll always be Alice Toklas if you'll be Gertrude Stein ...!" LOL !!!!

[MerylStreepsChannel]

I can't stop watching this video, it is pure gold! Two true comedy legends <3

[dvidal1985]

@MerylStreepsChannel I know I feel the same way. I can't get enough. BTW I love your youtube channel. Take care.

[gcpropertymanagement]

Observing this kind of exchange is fun. Being a part of one is not. I am 53.

[moozicx]

this is the perfect pairing :)

[whalleyPE]

Bea once told a story about working with Tallulah Bankhead who wore an elegant white gown in the show and Bea remarked on how beautiful she was in white. Bankhead said something about how Bea would never be a big enough star to wear white in a show (meaning the lead). As Bea got older she often wore all white to award shows I notice. Do you think she was thumbing her nose at Bankhead? lol

[dtoddmiller]

@whalleyPE Probably so...I saw Arthur's one-woman show (she toured a few years before she died), where she reminisced about her career. She seemed to be a rather prickly person who remembered everyone who had ever slighted her!

[whalleyPE]

@dtoddmiller but of course, its not interesting to talk about all the easy praises you received and who would go pay to hear that? I think Bea often got labeled as prickly and god knows she probably had her issues but her talent was undeniable. I didnt get to see the last tour but I heard it on cd.

[colombiana3489]

this kind of reminds me of elfaba and glinda from wicked prob cuse of the outfits lol idk its cute....i love the both of them so much

[thisherecat2]

Lucille Ball does nothing for this number. A piece of furniture.

[Mezzotenor]

Though I love both Bea and Lucy, I must say this song is the one bright spot in an otherwise painfully inept movie musical. And else but a bosom buddy....

[capcom23]

@Mezzotenor i liked the movie :-)

[aescougarcheer]

I wonder what Lucy would have sounded like if she hadn't been a smoker?

[Bearman9235]

@aescougarcheer Not as good

[arvedsin]

@aescougarcheer If she hadn´t been a smoker,she would´ve sounded like Fran Drescher,just wait and remember this in a few years,Fran is gonna sound like Lucy in this film,lol.

[onirannam]

I love Lucy, but the true mega-star of this number is Bea Arthur. Lucy got to do her vanity project (shot through gauze in every close-up) while Broadway's unforgettable Mame, Angela Lansbury, had to sit this one out. The fact that the film was a total flop might have offered her some consolation.

[MissGarland20]

More people need to watch Bea in this...I love this movie haha

[mysticaltraveler1111]

LOVE THIS!! Thank you!!!!

[Dolphindream15]

is this complete movie here on you tube  with lucy and bea auther,,

[possumpooter]

LOVE this ! Two women from my 2 fav. T.V Shows ever!!!

[osanders300]

Lucy has been gone for 22yrs but her legend lives on. I stumbled on this video when I noticed her birthday just passed. What's even more amazing this is the first time I have seen her and Bea Arthur together and this was a great performance.

[hhhk20]

Who are these guys?

[granddad2002]

The original 'Ab Fab' girls.

[CaliCaliente00]

Great musical, but sorry to tell, Angela Lansbury owns that role.

[hithr3000]

The two-faced lyrics make me sick. I never want to see this movie and those of who sold out to such a pretentious theme b/c of the 'wonderful casting' need to check yourselves.

[twins111998]

@hithr3000

You suck...you wouldn't know a good musical if it hit you in the ugly face!

[twins111998]

@hithr3000 

You suck...you wouldn't know a good musical if it hit you in the ugly face! And obviously you have no humor or good taste.....

[twins111998]

@hithr3000 

You suck...you wouldn't know a good musical if it hit you in the ugly face! And obviously you have no humor or good taste.....

[twins111998]

@hithr3000 You don't get it.....you are probably just too immature to get it.....HELLO

[hithr3000]

@twins111998 okay, my comment was harsh... I just don't like cattiness. Know what I mean?

[Duecemoney1]

Lucy is amazing here but I gotta agree with arpeggio1358. Angela Lansbury was better in the role.

[arpeggio1358]

i'm sorry folks. Lucy was a brilliant comedienne, but she just wasn't very good in this role. Angela Lansbury was so much better. Lucy did say thogh that she agreed to do the role of Mame only if Lansbury wqas unable to do it. Lansbury did turn the role down.

[TheLadyWhoLunches]

@arpeggio1358 I completely agree. It's nice to know that the role was offered to Angela Lansbury (and that Lucille Ball wouldn't have taken it if Lansbury accepted), but why did she turn down the role?

[arpeggio1358]

@TheLadyWhoLunches I believe Lansbury's son was very sick and she had to be with him.

[TheLadyWhoLunches]

@arpeggio1358 Oh, I understand now. That's so sad.

[onirannam]

@arpeggio1358 Don't know where this story of Lansbury turning down the role came from. Lucille Ball fought for this role, and let's face it, she was a far more powerful presence in Hollywood than Angela Lansbury who was the toast of Broadway. Lucy was too old for the part, she couldn't sing, and her dancing was less than adequate. There's no way Angela Lansbury would turn down this role, in spite of what Lucy may or may not have said at the time.

[gdwme]

I loved this movie despite how wrong Lucy was for the part. Her voice is one level above a frog but she had spunk. Bea, on the other hand, was brilliance on two legs.

[showtunestarpower]

Angela Lansbury was wonderful as MAME - but so was Lucille Ball! Thanks for posting this clip to prove it. Lucy was such a wonderful showgirl. And, how lucky we are that Gene Saks used his wife in the movie! Brava Bea!

[BTURNER1961]

Ball is the only woman I can think of who can make Arthur sound like an opera star.

[SpazChat]

Lucille Ball isn't bad, but there are so many other better choices for the lead role as Mame, even at this time. Lucy just isn't good enough of a singer, neither is Bea.

[gabsylv]

@SpazChat I think the overall performance here is great, Ball makes up for her lack of pipes with acting (perfect timing) and those trademark eyes. I don't know about the rest of the movie, but this scene is A+

[ahumble77]

I'm in love

[teddybears1232001]

Oh, Bea was always so beautiful.....One of my favorite idols of all time.

[iloveyouforever911]

im such a dork i was waching an cryed a little freekin hormons haha

[122mammamia]

that's lucille ball?? she looks soo different from i love lucy!

[ilcrox]

@122mammamia it's actually angela lansbury and bea arthur...

[shortypenquin]

@ilcrox No Its Lucille Ball

[122mammamia]

@ilcrox noo.. i think it is lucille ball... it looks more like her...

[MusicalsFan15]

@ilcrox its definitely Lucille Ball

[tubabu97]

@ilcrox It is lucille ball. Sorry, but, your just wrong. :P

[holisterhottie14]

wow Bea looks so different. I've always grown up with her in the Golden Girls. I was heartbroken when she passed.

R.I.P Bea !

[err247]

what year was this?

[adamdicy]

@err247 1974, she must've did this when Here's Lucy was on hiatus, cause there's one episode titled "Lucy Carter meets Lucille Ball" where she comes out dressed as Mame.

[Beejjjjjj]

@adamdicy , it was filmed in 1973 between the 5th and 6th seasons of Here's Lucy.

[mywaymn]

Wonderful movie...love it!

[ell3en]

Hmm, did I hear one of them offering to be Toklas to the other's Stein?

[columbusmozart]

@ell3en yes

[hotsweetyboy]

What 2 ppl didn't had Bosom Buddies????

[MiGrm9]

Bravo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[SueBeaWho]

And that's showbiz, folks!! YAY!!!!

[JoshuaTaylor]

How could two such amazing talents have made such a God-awful movie ? There's so much wrong with this it's hard to know where to begin....

[traod8]

@JoshuaTaylor

Yeah, there were a lot of contributing factors that harmed the film. Lucy is wonderful but was miscast in the part, although I give her an E for effort. The director was primarily a theatre director and as such didn't quite know how to navigate a film shoot, so the film was often poorly shot and edited, which threw off the timing. I also know that Bea Arthur was bitterly disappointed that Angela Lansbury wasn't in the film, and later called the film an embarassment.

[almecor]

This is from the 1972 musical film Mame by the great Jerry Hermann.

[serenity3cbs]

I promise this is just like two of my closest friends. They are the funniest ( well.. um...I'll just say .."LADIES"... for now ) ladies you'll ever be around. As soon as I can afford the equipment I'm going to put them on you tube. If you wanna laugh, and have fun with two crazy chicks you gotta check them out. I'll put them up around November. We'll call it Bosom Buddies/ Angie, and Kim, or Kim, and Angie. Cause they'll wanna know why the others name is first ..lol...haa haa ha.

[dellotti]

1973 or 1974 wasn't the right years to make an old fashioned musical, still this number is a highlight.

This movie get's bad reviews in all movie guide books....

Wonders who convinced Lucy that this movie could be her big finnally, so she could retire with grace, a sort of end to a long long magnificent career.

[crazyforfire]

Two great ladies + one great song= this video.

[AmericaLoudNClear]

@crazyforfire

Crazyfire:

This is a poor rendition of Bosom Buddies.

Bea Arthur and Lucille Ball said it themselves that this was a FLOP.

Who the hell dies and made you the Grand Poo-bah anyway?

This is the WORST of the Bosom Buddies.

Garland and Merman did the best---in a SHOW that was not even musical theatre.

[crazyforfire]

@AmericaLoudNClear I like it. You dont. Bea Arthur and Lucille Ball don't. I'm gonna keep not caring now and ove on with my life.

[DorisDayFanatic]

@crazyforfire Love that response! LOL

[Nansbbgrand]

Pure platinum~ CLASSIC!

[sharkfin478]

when was this made 1973?

[millie73]

I have this dvd and i just love it! <3

[dreamboatrachie]

I will always be very sorry that Madeline Kahn was fired from the role of Agnes Gooch...

Personally, I prefer this to "Auntie Mame".

[Gaygarious]

the line in the novel was ... "between 50 and death" .... LOL

[Gaygarious]

in the novel the line was ... between 50 and death ... LOL!!!!!

[maleficentdiva]

Bea looks like a witch with her costume on, its looks like she has horns on her head! LOL! This scene makes me think of a fight between an angel,( Lucy) and the devil, ( Bea) their costumes kind of make that point, Lucy in white, and Bea in black. LOL! its cute, I love this. Bea is my fave she was a great actress she is my idol.

[BobChippewa]

This remake of Mame is a disgrace. I like Bea but she can't sing and forget lucy, she can't carry a note. Watch the original Mame with Roseliand Russell!

[bittersweetsunrise]

@BobChippewa The original stage [and subsequent film] adaptation of the novel "Auntie Mame," with Rosalind Russell wasn't a musical, you giant douchebag. And, while you're correct in saying that poor Lucy, in her latter years anyway, couldn't carry a tune if it were a damned suitcase, Bea Arthur is an undisputed queen of Broadway, who's role as Vera Charles was unforgettable.

What the film adaptation of the musical "Mame" IS, is camp comedy, dear. Maybe you'll recognize it better next time.

[TGTSTS]

@BobChippewa Actually the original "Mame" starred Angela Lansbury and Bea Arthur!

[iloveaudreyhepburn09]

i loved this, i think the when from the 19th century were soo beautiful and back then you really had someone with class to look up to.

[CustomFig]

I hear this is number 1 of top ten gayest song ever.

[rcatl]

true friendship

[degrassigrl]

My family had tickets to see Lucy play Mame on Broadway in the early 70's. When we got to the theatre, we found out that Lucy was sick and the show was cancelled. One of themost dissapointing moments in my life.

[DeanLeonard1]

@degrassigrl ....Lucille Ball never played Mame on stage. She was only in the movie version. Perhaps she was going to make a personal appearance at a theater playing the movie "Mame"?

[degrassigrl]

@DeanLeonard1 You are right. I was only 5 at the time and my memories have been mixed up. I asked my father and he said we were going to see the film but the lines were too long. Sorry for the misprint.

[Broadway3]

@degrassigrl Angela Lansbury was Mame on Broadway, I think she should have done the movie too

[DorisDayFanatic]

I LOVE YOU FOR UPLOADING THIS!!!!

[1980NewWave]

Very interesting hearing this - Bea's voice wasn't nearly as deep when she was younger. Obviously this happens to everyone, the voice tends to deepen as one ages, but it's just weird since I'm so used so Bea's deeper voice on the Golden Girls.

[MaliBootyz]

@1980NewWave Geee, I don't know... could it be because she smoked all her life?!?!?! LOL! Yes it can! :P

[casgo11]

@1980NewWave I think it's pretty deep here too, she more or less always sounded like this, in interviews she has stated she had a very deep voice even as a young girl. In GG, however, her voice had started to become more raspy though, this is natural since she was 65. Nowadays, for some reason, no young female actresses have deep voices anymore like theese hollywood stars had when they where young, such a pity.The only younger one nowadays I can think of with a voice like that is Peri Gilpin.

[showtimepoppy]

I loved this! I also loved the casting! So happy I got to see these two together on the big screen!

[tubeeorrnottubee]

I LOVE this! BEST part of the whOLe movie, considered pretty much a flop, but by us diehard fans of Lucy, or BEA! LOL ~CLASSiC!~;)

[photobygil]

While this appears to be widescreen, this particular version must be either pan and scan or a close-up version of the widescreen, as it cuts off the edges (sides as well as top and bottom.) Have you seen the widescreen edition? This number, and the whole movie, benefits from seeing more of what was intended. For example, here, when Lucy sings about her 'frank observation' (:52), Bea is nodding all too knowingly while continuing to drink - it's extremely funny!

[sitgeshorn]

Love it!

[BetteDavisMimic]

this was my first time to see MAME.....a little gay boy in St Louis......a world away from B'Way and Landsbury's MAME......so i CANNOT fault Ms Ball.......i love them....ALL of them since i've seen them all over the years......but please.....STOP BASHING LUCY........OMG....this movie is one of the defining moments in my gay history!

[dezinator]

I like it when Bea Arthur sings :)