Arsenic and Old Lace (1944)

Director:

Frank Capra

Writers:

Julius J. Epstein (screenplay) and
Philip G. Epstein (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

23 September 1944 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Thriller

Tagline:

She Passed Out On Cary ! No Wonder . . . She's just discovered his favorite aunts have poisoned their 13th gentleman friend !

Plot:

A drama critic learns on his wedding day that his beloved maiden aunts are homicidal maniacs, and that insanity runs in his family.

Plot Keywords:

Cellar | Insanity | Critic | Poison | Marriage

Cast

Cary Grant	...	Mortimer Brewster
Priscilla Lane	...	Elaine Harper
Raymond Massey	...	Jonathan Brewster
Jack Carson	...	O'Hara
Edward Everett Horton	...	Mr. Witherspoon
Peter Lorre	...	Dr. Einstein
James Gleason	...	Lt. Rooney
Josephine Hull	...	Abby Brewster
Jean Adair	...	Martha Brewster
John Alexander	...	'Teddy Roosevelt' Brewster
Grant Mitchell	...	Reverend Harper
Edward McNamara	...	Brophy
Garry Owen	...	Taxi Cab Driver
John Ridgely	...	Saunders
Vaughan Glaser	...	Judge Cullman

Also Known As:

Frank Capra's 'Arsenic and Old Lace' (USA) (complete title)
Arsen und Spitzenhäubchen (Austria) (West Germany) [de]
Arsenic et vieilles dentelles (Belgium: French title) (France) [fr]
Arsénico por compasión (Spain) [es]
Arsénico y encaje antiguo (Argentina) [es]
Arsen und alte Spitzen (Austria) [de]
Arsenico e vecchi merletti (Italy) [it]
Arsenicum en oude kant (Belgium: Flemish title) [un]
Arsenik kurbanlari (Turkey: Turkish title) [tr]
Arsenik och gamla spetsar (Sweden) [sv]
Arsenik og gamle kniplinger (Denmark) [da]
Arsenikkia ja vanhoja pitsejä (Finland) [fi]
Arseniko kai palia dantella (Greece) [el]
Arszenik i stare koronki (Poland) [pl]
Dokuyaku to rôjô (Japan) [ja]
Esse Mundo É um Hospício (Brazil) [pt]
O Mundo É Um Manicómio (Portugal) [pt]

Runtime:

118 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | German

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Certification:

Argentina:Atp | UK:A (1944) | UK:PG (1990) | Canada:PG (Ontario) | USA:Approved (PCA #7855) | Australia:G (cable rating) | Australia:PG (original rating) | Germany:12 | Sweden:15

Filming Locations:

City Island, Bronx, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Warner Bros. Pictures

Trivia:

The only film Frank Capra made with Cary Grant.

Goofs:

Audio/visual unsynchronized: When Jonathan is trying to find Mr. Spenalzo, he mentions to Elaine that his friend Dr. Einstein is "somewhat of a magician." However when he says this, his lips aren't moving.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Baseball Fan: I'll knock your block off, you big stiff! You're a bum!

Movie Connections:

References M (1931)

Soundtrack:

Funeral March (Marche Funèbre)

The Brooklyn Brewsters

"Arsenic and Old Lace", one of the best stage comedies that were seen on Broadway, gets the royal treatment via Frank Capra, a man that was born to direct the movie version, if ever there was a man to do so. The play written by Joseph Kisserling was given an excellent screen play treatment by the Julius and Philip Epstein team, two great movie adapters of all time.

This is a combination of a madcap and a screwball comedy. The first best thing in the film are the star turn performances by two of the original actresses that created the roles of Aunt Abby and Aunt Martha, Josephine Hull and Jean Adair, respectively. Just to see the Brewster sisters in action is worth the price of admission. These two women had the roles of a career by bringing life into the two kinds souls living in Brooklyn and doing good, as well as "helping lonely old men" to find happiness.

The second best reason for watching the film is Cary Grant. This is without a doubt one of the actor's best achievements in his long career in the movies! Mr. Grant plays Mortimer Brewster, a man that hates the idea of getting married and losing his freedom. That is, until the beautiful Elaine comes along. Mr. Grant is a joy to watch in the film, no matter what he is doing, at any given moment. His expressions, as well as his timing is impeccable, something one expects of all of Mr. Capra's movies.

The Brewster household is the center of the action, but for a stage play, it never seems confining, or theatrical, even though it's basically shot in one single set. This appears to be the Brooklyn area near the Heights where one can see the majestic bridge in the distant. Maybe around Old Fulton Street, or that area, where the River Cafe is located now.

Mr. Capra was able to assemble such a wonderful group of the best actors working in movies. Lovely Priscilla Lane is the woman that conquered Mortimer's heart. Raymond Massey is Jonathan, the Dracula-like sinister figure that is Mortimer's brother. Also, John Alexander, is seen as "Uncle Teddy", the man with a Teddy Roosevelt's complex. Peter Lorre makes a good contribution as Dr. Einstein.

Jack Carson and John Ridgley are seen as the police working the area where the Brewster live. The supporting players are amazing: Edward Everett Horton, Garry Owen, Grant Mitchell, James Gleason, and although seen briefly, the great Charles Lane, who is one of the photographers pursuing Mortimer and Elaine when they are getting the marriage license. Mr. Lane appeared in hundred of films and is still alive, 100 years young! In a way, it's ironic Mr. Lane survived almost all the people in the film!

An excellent film by that American master, Frank Capra!