Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsArsenic and Old Lace (1944) More at IMDbPro »
Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers:
Julius J. Epstein (screenplay) and
Philip G. Epstein (screenplay) ...
more
Release Date:
23 September 1944 (USA) more
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. full summary | full synopsis
NewsDesk:
(2 articles)
The Politics of Familial Moviegoing
(From Cinematical. 23 October 2009, 10:03 AM, PDT)
Character Actor Charles Lane Dies at 102
(From Studio Briefing - Film News. 11 July 2007)
User Comments:
The Brooklyn Brewsters more (183 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| 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 |
Additional Details
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]
more
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
118 min
Country:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
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:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
The only film Frank Capra made with Cary Grant. more
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. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
Baseball Fan:
I'll knock your block off, you big stiff! You're a bum!
more
Soundtrack:
Funeral March (Marche Funèbre) more
FAQ
What does Dr Einstein say in German when he slams the door?Why didn't Boris Karloff play his lookalike?
What is the name of the music that Teddy is performing when we first see him?
more
more (183 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Arsenic and Old Lace (1944) moreRecommendations
|
|
|
|
|
| Arsenik og gamle kniplinger | Arsenic and Old Lace | The Night of the Hunter | Psycho | Strangers on a Train |
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| News articles | IMDb top 250 movies | IMDb Comedy section |
| IMDb USA section | Add this title to MyMovies |

"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!