Auntie Mame

In 1928, Edwin's death leaves Patrick an orphan who is placed under the care of his flamboyant Aunt Mame Dennis in Manhattan. Mame immediately takes on a maternal role and fills his life with opportunities to experience life beyond convention. Her goal is to show him a broad, free-spirited view of the world.

Mame throws vibrant parties and surrounds Patrick with free-spirited friends, treating him like a family member rather than a ward. She becomes a surrogate mother, guiding him toward independence and curiosity. Her influence broadens Patrick's sense of possibility.

Dwight Babcock, the Knickerbocker Bank trustee, fights Mame's influence and seeks a conventional path for Patrick. Mame secretly enrolls him in Acacius Page's progressive school, hoping for exposure to broader ideas. When Babcock discovers the arrangement, he forcibly enrolls Patrick in his own conservative boarding school, restricting Mame's access during terms.

The 1929 stock market crash leaves Mame financially ruined, forcing her into a survival mode she had never expected. She tries acting with Vera Charles, but a misstep on stage or screen becomes a debacle. Consumed by financial hardship, she takes a string of ill-fitting jobs that test her resilience.

While working as a Macy's salesgirl, Mame attracts Beauregard Jackson Pickett Burnside, a Southern oil baron who seeks solace in her company. They fall in love and marry, blending wealth with Mame's free-spirited philosophy. The marriage ushers in a new era of travel and abundance.

Mame and Beau embark on an extensive world honeymoon, sampling cultures and adventures from around the globe. Patrick writes to her and occasionally joins them during holidays, maintaining a connection with his aunt. The travels broaden Mame's horizons even further and deepen her influence on Patrick.

In 1937, Beau dies while climbing the Matterhorn, leaving Mame a wealthy widow. She returns home to a changed life, while Patrick, now an adult, grows more independent. The family dynamic shifts as Mame recalibrates her plans for Patrick and herself.

Patrick, Vera, and Lindsay urge Mame to commit her adventures to print, initiating an autobiography project. They hire Brian O'Bannion as a ghostwriter, who quickly proves to be more of a fortune hunter than a loyal collaborator. The collaboration strains Mame's autonomy but sets a new chapter in motion.

Patrick announces engagement to Gloria Upson, a match approved by Babcock from a restricted community in Connecticut called Mountebank. Mame initially resents this conventional choice but relents to please her nephew and maintain harmony.

Trying to derail O'Bannion's scheming, Mame sends Agnes to a party in her stead, claiming Agnes is a secret heiress. The ruse backfires when Agnes returns inebriated and pregnant, exposing the fragility of the autobiography project and the people around it.

At a dinner with the Upsons at Upson Downs, Gloria insults Mame's circle and Patrick's loyalty to his aunt. Patrick defends Mame and his nonconformist, welcoming world, effectively ending his engagement with Gloria. The clash marks a turning point in Patrick's independence from Babcock's control.

Mame dedicates the royalties from her forthcoming book to a home for refugee Jewish children to be built adjoining the Upson property. The Upsons depart in a huff, unable to accept such a compassionate act. The gesture cements Mame's stance against their narrow prejudices.

Mame's triumph over Babcock leads to his departure from the social scene and Patrick's life. The old guardian's influence wanes as Patrick asserts his independence and loyalty to his aunt. The family dynamic shifts toward a more self-determined future.

By 1946, Patrick and Pegeen are married and have a son named Michael. The family finds stability, contrasting with Mame's earlier whirlwind existence. The film frames this as a new chapter built on shared history and affection.

Mame and Michael persuade Patrick's parents to let her take the child on a journey to India. The movie fades as Mame promises Michael the wonders they will see, underscoring her enduring appetite for exploration and the bond she shares with Michael.