Drag queen Bianca Del Rio: why I love Auntie Mame | BFI Flare

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RuPaul’s Drag Race winner Bianca Del Rio on Auntie Mame (1958), the classic comedy starring Rosalind Russell as an eccentric aunt bringing up her orphaned nephew. Del Rio explains the film’s huge LGBT following, and why she and many gay men wish they had an Auntie Mame in their lives.
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[@wonderwillows0955]

Auntie Mame is one of the best movies! My Mom showed it to me when I was 13 and since then it holds a special spot in my heart.

[@patgal2359]

Omg Bianca Auntie Mame is my favorite film of all time. Life is a banquet and most suckers are starving to death!!! Live live live !!!

[@manmeshi]

mary poppins ..because of film sensors at the time...1958....they altered the original line....Most poor sons of bitches are starving to death.😉

[@ShoryoTombo]

Bianca is not only beautiful and hilarious but very smart. Love her very much! When she comes down to Florida and perform, I'm going to see her! Hopefully!

[@donnerdonner315]

Bravo 👑Queen👑Bianca!!! This is one of the GREATEST movies EVER!!! My absolute fave......LOVE IT!!!! My favorite part of the movie (it is hard to pick....it's all so good!!) is when she quotes her famous line to Ms. Gooch: "Life is a banquet and most poor suckers are starving death!" LIVE....LIVE...LIVE!!!! 😂😂😂 I just love this film....God Bless Rosalind Russell!!! She was a treasure!!!! "TOP DRAWER...VERY TOP DRAWER!!!" LOL!!!😅😅😅

[@gogames31]

Auntie Mame is one of my favorite movies ever.

[@patgal2359]

It had great composition too, with the staircase a setting for each act change.

[@Bakanello]

It has been absolutely wonderful to see all the references -aesthetic and otherwise- in the wonderful works of these legendary queens (Jinkx, Bianca, Sharon) - kudos to BFI for recognizing these great talents and the art of drag. Please continue this amazing series. Katya Zamo studied film and media - I'd really love to hear her talk about films as well. I thought it would be so amazing if someone like her curated a series of screenings for the BFI.

[@stevers62]

We had a local production of "Auntie Mame" with a conservative female republican doing the role in an understated monotone. I wish Bianca could have shoved her into the orchestra pit, and taken over.

[@alvarogoiriz6671]

OMG I love that! Because the irony is that Rosalind Russel was a conservative republican. But, the movie version was quite sanitised...

[@maryanncarroll8724]

agree agree--I don't hold grudges, but in this case have still NOT forgiven the Academy for not given her the Best Actress Award in 1955...I'm sure there are many fans like us still around

[@jayhartbarger2793]

ah for the time when queens knew who orry kelly was.

[@MsLeenite]

@Victoria Orry Kelly designed the costumes for Some Like It Hot, which means not only those dresses Sugar Kane (Marilyn Monroe) was *almost* wearing, but the dresses worn by Josephine (Tony Curtis) and Daphne (Jack Lemmon) as well. He won an Oscar for his work, which may have been the most richly deserved Oscar ever awarded. But you knew that already. ;-D

[@MsLeenite]

On second thought, Cecil Beaton deserved his costume and production design Oscars for My Fair Lady. The Ascot scene is one of my all-time favorite movie sequences.

[@Alusnovalotus]

“You’re auntie Mame is going to open doors for you, Doors you never even dreamed existed!!” That one made me cry, because I too wanted an auntie Mame growing up.

[@Art_911]

One of my all time favorite movies, that and The lion in Winter. Yes the Roz version, NOT the Lucy version (we shall not go into that). A timeless movie.

[@patgal2359]

The denouement at the end, where Mame crushes the bigots plans for her nephew and gains back his respect is a great moment. I was Auntie Mame for my kids!!

[@maryanncarroll8724]

+patty gallagher I wanted to be Auntie Mame for my nieces & nephews..just didin't have the cash flow to fully carry it of...and beyond money truly love them so

[@spideresque]

It's one of my favorite films, too. And my favorite quote of all time comes from it. "Life is a banquet, and most poor suckers are starving to death." I saw it as a child, and it's always stayed with me.

[@martinredvfr]

Great - I can really relate to B - I also had wonderful friends (now gone) who introduced me to so many amazing films that are part of our history. I would love to get a copy of Bianca's list!

[@RaymondHng]

Here you go: www.imdb.com/list/ls070011203/

[@CiaoBriella]

I love the fact that I know which Queen she gave the list to lmao!! See... you can learn some inside scoops by stalking... COUGH*** I mean.. Following.. closely. maybe.

[@tracitamatteo511]

+Briana De Luca its joslyn fox lmao

[@CiaoBriella]

yis hinny hinty bby yeaa

[@kingkingjustin]

+Briana De Luca yass. I feel weirdly proud when I know which queen she's talking about

[@abacus912]

Black Beauty was on that list because Joslyn needed to learn the difference between a black horse and a dark horse.

[@Rrrrrrrojas]

abacus912 i need that list!!

[@hekeptdying1428]

I want that list Bianca talks about

[@RaymondHng]

Here you go: www.imdb.com/list/ls070011203/

[@choxxxieful]

Good assessment of my favorite classic film !!! Thank you !!

[@thezuh1398]

Auntie Mame is one of my favorite movies of all time. I lost my mother when I was six and that movie helped me get through a lot of very lonely and hard times growing up. I looked up to Mame as the mother figure I never had and always wanted. Naturally, when I realized I was gay, my love for the movie made complete and perfect sense. This video just makes me love Bianca even more.

[@tishsmiddy71]

Thank you 😊 i know what going to be added to my movie library! Can’t wait 😊

[@richardtodd5956]

One of my favourite movies ever! It always cheers me up and makes me laugh. Sometimes I don't know if I'm Mame or Vera. "Hurry my tray darling, Auntie needs fuel"

[@sueparras6028]

I totally agree with Bianca about this movie. It is so depressing that they don't make this type of movie anymore. Auntie Mame is one of those classic movies that everyone should see at least once.

[@LoonyTunes]

Well now I need to watch this film! Anything that Bianca loves I must watch

[@tonyabattistoni3560]

It has always been one of my favorites.

[@virginiakramer9055]

I saw this film when it first came out and realized that Mame was exactly who I wanted to be when I grew up.

[@Mawrdew]

I dissolve into tears the moment Mame walks up the stairs with Michael at the end, telling him about all the wonderful things she's going to show him. So perfect that the last word she says is "beautiful."

[@KeithDunnFernandez]

MAME was the first musical I ever played in the orchestra for on clarinet, sax and bass clarinet. I was ONLY 15 YEARS OLD but it made me a part of the theater!

[@iggyvonmoon]

I just watched this 😂😂✨✨❤️

[@jeffreymartin6369]

Auntie Mame was written by the quintessential UNCLE Mame, Patrick Dennis aka Edward Tanner Jr. If anyone is interested he wrote around 15 hilarious novels including Auntie Mame. His biography Uncle Mame is a fabulous tale.

[@Dumpsterfiregrace]

I have both books!! I Adore Auntie Mame!! ❤❤❤

[@kdlane4046]

One of my favorite movies by far!

[@chrissyvallo5181]

I watched for the first time today for a movie club! Loved it!!! I also want an Auntie Mame--anyone that wouldn't I question the type of person they are...

[@maryjoyner9695]

My all time favorite movie. Ms.DelRio has beautifully articulated why.

[@jasonmartin1267]

I would love to see more queens doing these

[@teeniebeenie8774]

god yes that movie saved my life at 14..... such inspiration. GOD BLESS ROSALIND RUSSELL

[@jcw1729]

Oh that moon's bright!

[@denises6821]

Orly Kelly's costume design was magnificent!!! One of the greatest Oscar snubs of all time. That burgundy jumpsuit is just to die for. I would give almost anything to have that costume. Also, I just love the message of this movie.

[@MrTroyb1]

Agreed, Loved that Movie from my late teens onward. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@browv415]

I would love for you to do this role. OMG

[@vapsa56]

One of my all time favorite films.

[@dcbornmike]

I too saw the movie Auntie Mame as a child. I knew nothing about homosexuality and did not know i was gay... I stayed and watched this movie twice. Just loved Rosalind Russell. Had a kid crush on Patrick's teacher! Tall dark and handsome ...

[@shaynehatch5433]

Auntie Mame is one of My fave classics, Bianca please revive HER!

[@gregbryant516]

That would be great casting!

[@hannahmakilan4707]

Adore has that list and she's done more than half of it!!!

[@Joe-hx8mg]

I have seen Auntie Mame at least 100 times

[@She-M-C]

One of the best movies ever!!!

[@J0shJames]

Auntie Mame and all its iterations are beautiful. But this movie is more than spectacular.

[@christinereilly3699]

My all time favorite movie

[@glennlaroche1524]

Preach, o Queen of Salt, p r e a c h!!!!!!!!!!!

[@esmeperkin6417]

Bianca is amazing but did anyone notice kids singing in the background towards the end

[@kennedyhardy8786]

where can I get that list of movies!

[@dramatischegestalten]

I can't copy the link in here. There is an IMDb list called Bianca del Rio Recommended. The listnumber is ls070011203.

[@phyllisbarr4766]

i would say this is really only a partial list of movies people should watch especially drag queens for reference

[@orion6372]

The facts that Mame hasn’t been portrayed on Snatch Game is criminal

[@vapsa56]

Could you imagine an updated version of this movie with Bianca as Auntie Mame.

[@SJRD18]

Bianca del Rio is very wise and has great taste.

[@dadosarahocooking7303]

Love her so much more. My favorite movie

[@dadosarahocooking7303]

Wouldn’t Bianca make the perfect person to play mame on Broadway

[@Mirage238]

I love that movie

[@chuxkingdom]

Preach preacher! This is September 31st! If like in the beginning, people are allowed to freely "gaze" and graze, confidence conquers confusion. We can all play fish family. Love me some Bianca brashness!

[@qjazz28]

You can find her list of movies on IMDB.

[@leonarddaccardi7196]

It was a hell of a lot better than the musical version.

[@johnpickford4222]

Yes, the film is better than the musical version because the cast someone too old, too hoarse couldn’t interpret lyrics or line readings, too lame all wrapped up in a soft focus which accentuated the age of the miscast MAME. BUT WATCH THE ROZ RUSSELL VERSION AND GET THE BROADWAY CAST ALBUM WITH ANGELA LANSBURY!!

[@edoverhills]

I love a funny and a cultured queen, Bianca del Rio!!! 💗💗💗

[@paulpeters462]

And do not forget the musical Mame staring Lucille Ball with Bea Arthur. That was great too :)

[@mitchell12375]

I have to disagree mame was horrendously miscast lucille ball robbed Angela Lansbury of the roll and ruined that film

[@jeffeastwood15]

Apparently everyone lost their shit when Lucy played the role cuz she was deemed too old but seems like Mame could be just about any age.

[@rust44]

Jeff Eastwood Tilda Swinton is playing Mame in a remake that is in development now.

[@Salsero12]

Yes! I loved how Lucille played it.

[@rachellows]

Joselyn Fox asked Bianca how is she so smart. And she is really smart and also very cultured

[@jcw1729]

One of the best films in the history of ever!

[@bearstud1957]

One of the best filmsif not the best films of all times.

[@darrenhoskins8382]

Yes ,she’s so right ☺️☺️☺️

[@Thedrcatwoman]

I want that list of movies.

[@msbeejones]

they go through their "ups and downs" ... "upson downs", anyone?

[@dramasociety3483]

WE LOVE AUNTIE MAME

[@GodsChild4Ever446]

Bianca I think you would make an awesome Auntie Mame if they ever redo the production I can see you in the lead role.

[@bigfunjoshieb]

Lovely interview. I'm curious as to which queen Bianca passed on her list to. I imagine it was Adore, maybe Trinity?

[@jugasppar]

+Josh Bullin (bigfunjoshieb) joslyn fox

[@tracitamatteo511]

+Josh Bullin (bigfunjoshieb) it was joslyn fox. she said it in james st james transformations

[@lokhiwilder]

Ok, raise your hand everybody who now needs a remake "Uncle Mame" with Bianca as the lead to live another day?

[@GottagitchaGROOOVEon]

It's on Netflix?..:D

[@ShimmySchimeon]

Is the Auntie mame the one that does the voice over for Cruella De Vil in 101 dalmations? :o

[@RaymondHng]

No, that was Betty Lou Gerson who did the voice for Cruella De Vil in the 1961 Disney animated film.

[@benjaminlopezisgreat]

it is my favorite movie

[@damianrhea8875]

~30 years ago, there was a big oil portrait of Rosalind Russell in the lobby of the main medical building @ University of California, San Francisco. Maybe next time Roy Haylock does a gig in that city, he can check if it's still there.

[@RaymondHng]

Russell's portrait is at the UCSF Cardiac Electrophysiology and Arrhythmia Service department in the Ambulatory Care building at 400 Parnassus Street. www.flickr.com/photos/dennis_brumm/8679408677

[@bringiton5282]

Broadway performers, whether it's actors, singers or comedians should invade Hollywood. That would be some quality acting right there. Could you imagine Patti Lupone up against Meryl Streep at the Oscars ?

[@mizuko2001]

I want to know what were the movies on that list...

[@RaymondHng]

Here you go: www.imdb.com/list/ls070011203/

[@AR-kf8dr]

Love her

[@spak3950]

Bianca Del Rio IS Auntie Mame!

[@glb360]

So when are we going to see a remake starring Bianca?

[@jcarterla]

Are we all lit?

[@eloisagarcia3300]

I love just to stare at her fave, she looks so beautiful and sweet here

[@jimjimmyjames59]

Bianca, Bianca, Bianca..."up and downs"? LOLOLOL

[@rebeccapass3313]

You could never be me.

[@ThePeaceableKingdom]

someone's been reading her Camille Paglia...! (cf. "Sexual Personae"...)

[@NovElection2012]

ThePeaceableKingdom Someone's a pompous try hard know it all with no clue that Bianca Del Rio has spent his entire life in theater. Not only performing but being an award winning costumer for many plays in NOLA and working for the ICONIC Barbara Matera NYC, constructing costumes for opera, ballet and Broadway.

[@ThePeaceableKingdom]

Ali Gory Ha ha! C'mon, Just 'cause you're in the theatre doesn't mean you don't read. Don't underestimate Bianca's talents! In my youth I worked with Teatro Bilingue when we toured through Mexico - and I read. Ms. Paglia wrote a famous extended paean to Auntie Mame, emphasizing its gender-transgressive nature and its iconography in gay culture. It seemed an appropriate, light-hearted remark to me. But then I've been clueless all my life... :)

[@chiqichiqi1]

+ThePeaceableKingdom still pompous. ugh.

[@ThePeaceableKingdom]

chiqichiqi1 Thou has wounded me with a mortal blow! What fearful god could have fashioned such a rapier of wit as to construct such a stunning riposte: ‘still pompous’ - itself a sparkling diamond of composition - artfully uncapitalized - even yet perfected by the addition of the terminal guttural ‘ugh’! My will is broken; my heart shrinks; the art of word-smithery forever to be held in abeyance by such an unworthy servant as I. For all I could manage was a short relevant comment, about the source and the apex of theoretical ruminations on the place of Rosalind Russell’s Auntie Mame in gay culture, one of the themes of Bianca’s discussion in this very video. But I am surpassed by the apex of your illumination. Your eloquence shall ne’er be forgotten, and be considered the final word on the subject forevermore; yeah, verily, for generations to come. I have been humbled. Now _THAT'S_ now you do pompous, son…

[@taylorbrenton8859]

+ThePeaceableKingdom you speak my language darling.

[@ladyboywonder9139]

Bianca marry me 💖💖💖💖❗️

[@alaly1027]

If you have not seen this movie. ..SEE THIS MOVIE!!

[@richardxavier2459]

"the big depression" lol

[@SwarthySkinnedOne]

Think this is something, read the book!

[@laurelsmith2322]

Bianca girl, if you ever want a watching buddy, look no further

[@ShitHappensRLY]

I couldn't expect to hear Russian here

[@brentdillahunty3314]

Bianca, I adore you, you hateful young lady! 😽❣️🥂

[@rebeccapass3313]

See what labotamies Do to people they need institutions who understand there pysche is damaged and they need therapy to cope. So do I

[@richarddeleon8601]

Lucille Ball is the true Mame. And most poor son's of bitches are starving to death.

[@stevie68a]

Bianca, you need more eye makeup.

[@johnnyaingel5753]

Dear God how much makeup did she plaster on wow

[@vintage1520]

Bruno Mars' song and Bianca Del Rio.... not a good combination.

[@kellyclarksonismygd]

WHY CAN'T I FOCUS ON ANYTHING ELSE BUT HER OBVIOUS HAIRLINE? WHYYYYYYYYYY?

[@gazepskotzs4]

because you re not interested in the subject?

[@PhotoRichie]

kellyclarksonismygd I was looking at that too and wondering how she gets it to look like it's her hair?

[@ivonnehermkens7432]

You just ruin auntie Mame forever

[@carlabroderick5508]

Drag eye makeup has become horrifying. What happened to just impersonation?