Arsenic and Old Lace (1944)

Featured Audience Ratings

• xGary X

  
  The newly married nephew of a pair of dear old ladies is shocked to discover that they have been euthenising the lonely old gents of their neighbourhood. I'm a fan of Frank Capra and Cary Grant both, but Arsenic And Old Lace is rather too broadly played and self-consciously… More
  The newly married nephew of a pair of dear old ladies is shocked to discover that they have been euthenising the lonely old gents of their neighbourhood. I'm a fan of Frank Capra and Cary Grant both, but Arsenic And Old Lace is rather too broadly played and self-consciously "kooky" for my tastes. In my opinion, Grant is at his best when he is being silver tongued and debonair but in this film he leaps around, hopping and howling like a chimpanzee (the film it reminded me of most in approach was probably Monkey Business) and it's just full of people running in and out of the same one room location, shouting, blowing bugles and generally being rather loud and irritating. It's born of the same school of screwball comedy of falling over and double takes rather than fast talking wise-cracks and as such isn't really my cup of tea. I would have to say that the scenes involving the body removals in the dark are so beautifully shot that they could've been lifted straight from The Third Man, but otherwise I found it overlong and mildly annoying rather than funny.

• Melvin W

  
  Police Sgt. Brophy: They're two of the dearest, sweetest, kindest, old ladies that ever walked the earth. They're out of this world. They're like, they're like pressed rose leaves.  I'm slightly disappointed with Arsenic and Old Lace. My expectations were way… More
  Police Sgt. Brophy: They're two of the dearest, sweetest, kindest, old ladies that ever walked the earth. They're out of this world. They're like, they're like pressed rose leaves.  I'm slightly disappointed with Arsenic and Old Lace. My expectations were way too high. I expected a comedic masterpiece from Frank Capra and Cary Grant. What I got was still rather enjoyable, if not a masterpiece. Arsenic and Old Lace is a sporadically funny, dark, screwball comedy. It isn't Capra's best work, as it isn't Grant's. But together, they do make for a pretty fun, ridiculous and classic comedy. Mortimer is a play critic and a book writer. He writes books on how stupid getting married is and how bachelor life is the way to go. Then on Halloween he get married. He goes to tell his sweet, dear aunts and finds out they poison old lonely men and bury them in the cellar. The situation is made even worse, when his criminal brother shows up with a body of his own. This plot description may sound more like a horror film then a comedy, but the way it plays out is extremely humorous. What makes this movie so enjoyable would have to be the two aunts. They seem so sweet, even when they are talking about killing old men. They are so nonchalant about it. What they are doing seems so normal to them. They think they are doing the men favors. The two actresses, Josephine Hull and Jean Adir are wonderful as the aunts. They look and sound the part to perfection and make the wonderful premise all the more better. While this isn't one of the best comedies you will ever see, it is still a classic. You can't go wrong with Capra and Grant. Even if Grant's performance is a little too screwbally at times; these two greats weave a splendid two hours of pure entertainment. Aunt Martha: For a gallon of elderberry wine, I take one teaspoon full of arsenic, then add half a teaspoon full of strychnine, and then just a pinch of cyanide.  Mortimer: Hmm. Should have quite a kick. 

• Graham J

  
  The darker but comical side of Frank Capra came out for this black comedy classic. This movie will have you laughing, even almost 70 years after it's release.

• Jameson W

  
  The perfect combination of dark comedy and thrills! Cary Grant is really good here.

• Jens S

  
  This classic is a near-perfect combination of humor and horror, unlike most attempts in later years. Starting out like a somewhat regular romantic comedy of the era, the humor soon takes a turn to the really dark and then even to be a pretty exciting thriller. Of course the film never… More
  This classic is a near-perfect combination of humor and horror, unlike most attempts in later years. Starting out like a somewhat regular romantic comedy of the era, the humor soon takes a turn to the really dark and then even to be a pretty exciting thriller. Of course the film never ceases to amuse with its wonderfully weird characters and the top notch acting performances. Especially Cary Grant delivers a tour the force, with his protagonist who is torn between saving the day and losing his mind. Funny, exciting, rewatchable again and again.

• Tim S

  
  An absolute madcap screwball comedy bonanza of the highest order. Cary Grant alone is reason enough to see this.

• AJ V

  
  I love this movie so much, I wish I could've been in it! It's so hilarious and fun, I could watch it a million times. The movie stars Cary Grant and Peter Lorre, what a combination! I highly recommend this movie to anyone who loves dark comedy and of course the stars… More
  I love this movie so much, I wish I could've been in it! It's so hilarious and fun, I could watch it a million times. The movie stars Cary Grant and Peter Lorre, what a combination! I highly recommend this movie to anyone who loves dark comedy and of course the stars Grant and Lorre.

• Cindy I

  
  A hilarious dark comedy about a drama critic who finds out his two spinster aunts are not the innocent little old ladies they appear to be. This is one of Cary Grant's best roles, as Mortimer Brewster, the hysterical young man confounded by what he has found out about his… More
  A hilarious dark comedy about a drama critic who finds out his two spinster aunts are not the innocent little old ladies they appear to be. This is one of Cary Grant's best roles, as Mortimer Brewster, the hysterical young man confounded by what he has found out about his nutty familly. But he is by far not the only enjoyable character in the film. His old murderous aunts are delightfully played by Jean Adair and Josephine Hull (who won an Oscar playing a similar role in the invisible rabbit film Harvey), and Peter Lorre, John Alexander (a crazy brother who believed he is Teddy Roosevelt), and Raymond Massey as criminally insane brother Jonathon are put in quality performances. Priscilla Lane as Mortimer's brand-new wife didn't have a whole lot to do besides look pretty and kiss Cary Grant every so often, but she does it well. Then again, who COULDN'T kiss Cary Grant and make it look convincing!?! Something I found interesing is the old ladies seem like the sweetest little grannies in the world, and while they never change demeanors throughout the film, by discovering their psychotic impulses, I found them more creepy and scary than sweet. Director Frank Capra did a wonderful job in making this film work. Sight gags are everywhere, one of the funniest being Teddy running up the stairs screaming "CHARGE!" every time he goes to his room.. And Mortimer's continual facial expressions of surprise and alarm are priceless. But the film is not just a visual treat. The dialogue is a riot. One of my favorite lines "Insanity runs in my family....it practically gallops!" If this film is not on your list of favorite comedies -- and damn close to the top -- I don't really have any use for you.

• First L

  
  Cary Grant allegedly never cared for his performance in Arsenic and Old Lace. It's perhaps his broadest performance in a screwball comedy, but I can't imagine him playing it differently or worse, playing it more straight. The film is based on the play of the same name, and… More
  Cary Grant allegedly never cared for his performance in Arsenic and Old Lace. It's perhaps his broadest performance in a screwball comedy, but I can't imagine him playing it differently or worse, playing it more straight. The film is based on the play of the same name, and Frank Capra keeps the feeling of live performance intact with only a few noticeable cinematic flairs. Grant plays Mortimer Brewster, newly wed to Elaine (Priscilla Lane) and on his way to the honeymoon. All he has to do is make a quick stop off at home and he's all set. He even leaves a taxi waiting in the driveway. He lives with his two elderly aunts and a brother who thinks he's Teddy Roosevelt (he doesn't walk up the staircase, he dashes up it yelling "CHARGE!" like he's taking San Juan Hill). Everyone, including Mortimer, thinks the old ladies are very sweet and kindly. That is, until he finds a dead body stuffed into the window seat. It seems his aunts have been murdering lonely old men who come to rent their spare room by giving them poisoned elderberry wine. They're doing what they feel to be good deeds, performing a mercy killing, making sad old men feel peaceful and happy. Grant is thrown into a mad panic as he attempts to keep the dead body from being discovered. Things only get worse when his longlost brother Jonathan (Raymond Massey) returns from the mental asylum with a face that resembles Frankenstein's (thanks to his partner, the plastic surgeon Dr. Einstein, aka, Peter Lorre). The brother has a body of his own to hide, and he's not planning on letting anyone get in his way, least of all his annoying brother. The story takes place on halloween and it seems wholly apropos: there are few screwball comedies this morbid and macabre.

• Jennifer D

  
  I ADORE Cary Grant. And this film only expanded that. Grant is a comedic genius. Confusing, loopy, scary and hilarious story, but rather delightful! I would totally watch this again!

• Arash X

  
  I should definitely check more of Capra's movies, Great fun premise, Fun & well-made movie with hilarious characters, Grant overacts sometimes but that's ok, Peter Lorre is great

• moon r

  
  archie leach goes to doubletake heaven (eh? i didn't know there was one of those...there IS one of those!?!) as the nephew of two "pixelated" aunties with a peculiar solution to societal ills in their basement...it's madness, madness, madness and teddy roosevelt… More
  archie leach goes to doubletake heaven (eh? i didn't know there was one of those...there IS one of those!?!) as the nephew of two "pixelated" aunties with a peculiar solution to societal ills in their basement...it's madness, madness, madness and teddy roosevelt (of THE roosevelts, don't you know) to the rescue while lil ray massey and pete lorre drop by later on to even up ol' adolescent wrongs and do particularly sleazy enough to make robert blake blush.

• Ken S

  
  Cary Grant is unchained in this!

• Candy R

  
  Black comedy about a man who has discovers his aunts have been killing people and burying them in the basement.

• Jennifer X

  
  pretty ridiculous and not...very funny.

• Michael G

  
  Morbidly fun.

• Antony S

  
  Capra par excellence. AAOL boasts fine turns from its cast, headed by Cary Grant gurning his way through a script so disbelievable its a wonder its such class. From the hidden body in the windowbox to the perpertually perplexed taxi driver, this is an awesome adaptation of a wickedly… More
  Capra par excellence. AAOL boasts fine turns from its cast, headed by Cary Grant gurning his way through a script so disbelievable its a wonder its such class. From the hidden body in the windowbox to the perpertually perplexed taxi driver, this is an awesome adaptation of a wickedly funny play, and recommened to all. CCHHHAAAARRRRGGEEEE!!!

• Dillon L

  
  The plot is wonderfully rediculous, and the characters are memorable, but it's really uneven too. The ending is also far too drawn out, with almost 15 minutes straight of falling action. Also, rediculous, pointless plot twists near the end. Really disappointing conclusion… More
  The plot is wonderfully rediculous, and the characters are memorable, but it's really uneven too. The ending is also far too drawn out, with almost 15 minutes straight of falling action. Also, rediculous, pointless plot twists near the end. Really disappointing conclusion overall.

• Andy S

  
  One of the funniest movies I've ever seen, with great acting, comic timing, and characters. Cary Grant's facial versatility makes him kinda the 1940's Rowan Atkinson, and it works perfectly with the hilarious (and occasionally ludicrous) situations the movie sets up.

• Byron B

  
  I remember loving the zany physical humor when I saw it some Saturday afternoon when I was younger. I re-watched the DVD when I was preparing to act in the stage play recently, and was greatly disappointed. Cary Grant seemed way over the top! The stage play script is much better… More
  I remember loving the zany physical humor when I saw it some Saturday afternoon when I was younger. I re-watched the DVD when I was preparing to act in the stage play recently, and was greatly disappointed. Cary Grant seemed way over the top! The stage play script is much better than the movie adaptation. But then after completing my involvement in the community theater production, I happened to catch this on TV again. I sat through most of it again and my criticism lightened! It is an enjoyable comedy with a dark psych ward undertone.

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