Mame
Upon the death of wealthy Chicagoan Edward Dennis in the late 1920s, his nine-year-old son Patrick Dennis becomes the ward of their only living relative, Edward's equally-wealthy New-York-residing sister, Mame Dennis. Edward's will states that Patrick is to be raised Protestant in a "traditional" manner and that the trustee, Mr. Babcock of the Knickerbocker Bank, will pay Mame for expenses incurred in raising Patrick, but he has the right to refuse to pay if he deems that she's not honoring the spirit of Edward's will. Mr. Babcock and Patrick's longtime nanny, the timid Agnes Gooch, are to ensure that Patrick is raised correctly. Edward included these stipulations in his will knowing that his sister is a flamboyant, freewheeling, eccentric woman who can be considered anything but traditional or conventional. Despite the disruption each provides in the other's life, Mame and Patrick form a loving, supportive relationship. Mame wants to provide her sense of guidance to Patrick, which means exposing him to a broad spectrum of all that life has to offer. That changes when Mr. Babcock learns what is going on, and the stock market crashes resulting in Mame losing all her money, the events in combination leading to Mr. Babcock enrolling Patrick in boarding school to remove him from Mame's daily influence. Although not for herself, Mame realizes that she needs money to get Patrick back and support her entire family, which includes Agnes and her faithful butler Ito. She might get a little help from her best friend, Broadway actress Vera Charles, and a southerner she meets named Beauregard Jackson Pickett Burnside. Over the next several years, Mame's influence on those around her, including Patrick, is presented, although those relationships are not always smooth sailing, especially as Patrick grows into a man with his own mind.
The film underperformed commercially against its small-scale budget of $12.0M, earning $6.5M globally (-46% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its distinctive approach within the comedy genre.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Mame (1974) showcases meticulously timed narrative design, characteristic of Gene Saks's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 12 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.6, the film showcases strong structural fundamentals.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (2% through the runtime) establishes Mame Dennis lives a glamorous, carefree bohemian life in her Manhattan apartment, hosting extravagant parties and surrounded by eccentric friends in the roaring 1920s.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when Young Patrick Dennis arrives after his father's death, making Mame his guardian. The conservative trustee Mr. Babcock threatens to take Patrick away if Mame doesn't provide a proper upbringing.. At 11% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 31 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 23% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to The 1929 stock market crash destroys Mame's fortune. She makes the active choice to take responsibility for Patrick, vowing to find work and provide for him despite losing everything., moving from reaction to action.
At 66 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat Mame marries Beau in a lavish Southern wedding, seemingly achieving happiness and financial security. False victory - she appears to have found the perfect life, but separation from Patrick looms., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 97 minutes (73% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Mame realizes Patrick has become exactly what she fought against - conventional, prejudiced, and closed to life's possibilities. Her worst fear realized: she has failed to pass on her values. Beau's death earlier provides the literal "whiff of death."., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 105 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Mame realizes she must show Patrick and the Upsons who they really are. She synthesizes her life lessons with strategic action, planning to expose the Upsons' hypocrisy and prejudice at their own party., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Mame's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Mame against these established plot points, we can identify how Gene Saks utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Mame within the comedy genre.
Gene Saks's Structural Approach
Among the 4 Gene Saks films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.1, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Mame represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Gene Saks filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Gene Saks analyses, see Barefoot in the Park, The Odd Couple and Cactus Flower.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Mame Dennis lives a glamorous, carefree bohemian life in her Manhattan apartment, hosting extravagant parties and surrounded by eccentric friends in the roaring 1920s.
Theme
Mame's philosophy is stated: "Life is a banquet, and most poor suckers are starving to death!" - the theme of embracing life fully rather than living in fear.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Mame's world: her lavish lifestyle, her relationship with Vera Charles, her faithful butler Ito, and her unconventional approach to life during Prohibition-era New York.
Disruption
Young Patrick Dennis arrives after his father's death, making Mame his guardian. The conservative trustee Mr. Babcock threatens to take Patrick away if Mame doesn't provide a proper upbringing.
Resistance
Mame struggles to adapt to motherhood while maintaining her lifestyle. She enrolls Patrick in progressive school, faces judgment from Babcock, and debates whether she can change her bohemian ways.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
The 1929 stock market crash destroys Mame's fortune. She makes the active choice to take responsibility for Patrick, vowing to find work and provide for him despite losing everything.
Mirror World
Mame meets Beauregard Jackson Pickett Burnside, a wealthy Southern gentleman who represents a different world and possibility for love, introducing the romantic subplot that carries the theme of openness to life.
Premise
Mame tries various jobs with comedic results, bonds with Patrick through their adventures, and develops her romance with Beau. The "promise of the premise" - watching Mame navigate adversity with style and humor.
Midpoint
Mame marries Beau in a lavish Southern wedding, seemingly achieving happiness and financial security. False victory - she appears to have found the perfect life, but separation from Patrick looms.
Opposition
Years pass and adult Patrick returns, engaged to the narrow-minded Gloria Upson. Babcock and Gloria's parents represent opposition to Mame's values. Beau's death occurs, and Mame faces losing Patrick to conformity.
Collapse
Mame realizes Patrick has become exactly what she fought against - conventional, prejudiced, and closed to life's possibilities. Her worst fear realized: she has failed to pass on her values. Beau's death earlier provides the literal "whiff of death."
Crisis
Mame mourns the loss of both Beau and the Patrick she raised. She contemplates whether her unconventional approach was wrong, facing her dark night before finding resolve to fight for her values one last time.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Mame realizes she must show Patrick and the Upsons who they really are. She synthesizes her life lessons with strategic action, planning to expose the Upsons' hypocrisy and prejudice at their own party.
Synthesis
Mame executes her plan at the Upson party, exposing their prejudices and narrow-mindedness. Patrick sees the truth about Gloria and her parents, remembering the values Mame instilled in him. He breaks the engagement.
Transformation
Patrick, now with his own son, asks Mame to take the boy on an adventure around the world. Mame joyfully agrees, mirror to opening - still embracing life fully, but now passing the torch to a new generation who shares her values.