[1] In chronological vignettes, the narrator — also named Patrick — recalls his adventures growing up under the wing of his madcap aunt, Mame Dennis.

[5] In 1942, he joined the American Field Service, working as an ambulance driver in North Africa and the Middle East.

He worked as an administrative assistant for Eileen J. Garrett and he told her Auntie Mame was based in part on her, according to her granddaughter.

[6] The first edition of Auntie Mame spent 112 weeks on the bestseller list, selling more than 2 million copies in five languages.

The first, titled Little Me, recounts the escapades through life and love of glamour girl Belle Poitrine "as told to Patrick Dennis."

His wife, Louise, appeared as Pixie Portnoy in the book's photographic illustrations, which included their children, their friends, and their housekeeper as well.

The second "bio," titled First Lady (1964), is the life story of Martha Dinwiddie Butterfield, oblivious wife of a robber baron who "stole" the U.S. presidency for 30 days at the turn of the century.

Little Me was turned into a musical in 1962, with book by Neil Simon and score by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh, and Sid Caesar playing all the male roles.