When it came to casting roles for Mame, Lucy had someone in particular in mind to play the part of Beauregard Jackson Pickett Burnside. 'Lucy signed for it (Mame) and now she wants Gary to get Rock Hudson to play opposite her. "Beauregard, I've always thought was slighted. He should be— for the women of today—like Rhett Butler. He should be THAT wonderful. It's a dream—a fantasy that very few women indulge these days—they won't even think about it anymore. But they would like to. I know that. I know they would! A lot of women have put away a lot of dreams I think they should have back. Whoever plays Beauregard will be that great southern gentleman everyone would like to have fall in love with them. Very galant and very handsome." That does sound like Rock Hudson, doesn't it?' —article, 1972. (As we now know, the part went to the wonderful and very capable, Robert Preston. Rock's commitment to 'McMillan & Wife' (1971-1977) may have prevented him from taking the role, if in fact, he was ever approached.) #lucilleball #rockhudson #robertpreston #leadingman #mame #lucymame #southerngentleman #rhettbutler #loveinterest #handsomemen https://www.instagram.com/p/CJCP3K4l5tv/?igshid=1sytbrl0zkofr