Auntie Mame Quotes

Context

This line is spoken by Mame Dennis (played by Rosalind Russell) in the film Auntie Mame, directed by Morton DaCosta (1958).

In this scene, the eccentric and charming Mame Dennis has overbooked her social calendar. She was supposed to attend a party with the sleazeball writer Brian O'Bannion, but instead she must save her nephew from the snob queen, Gloria. Mame has a plan, though. Why not bling up her wallflower secretary Agnes Gooch as the stand-in date? Timid Agnes, however, needs big-time convincing to come out of her shell. So Mame serves her an intoxicating cocktail made of whiskey and this sage wisdom: "Life is a banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death." Did Agnes take her advice? Find out here.

Where you've heard it

This quote has worn out its welcome in way too many eulogies, ditto for inspirational "words of wisdom." More recently, it has popped up in taglines for interior decorators and, of course, on foodie sites.

Additional Notable References:

• Auntie Marion: the real Auntie Mame?
• Read the book
• Life is a Banquet: The Rosalind Russell Story
• Here's an interesting spin on the quote

Pretentious Factor

If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.

Unless you do an absolutely mah-velous Auntie Mame impression—complete with a bejeweled cigarette holder, droopy diamond earrings, and a martini glass—do not attempt this quote, dah-ling. Otherwise, you'll end up sounding like an amateur actor, and they always have high pretentious potential.