Arsenic and Old Lace (1944)

Director:

Frank Capra

Writers:

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

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 | Critic | Insanity | Murder | Cemetery

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
Chester Clute	...	Dr. Gilchrist
Charles Lane	...	Reporter
Edward McWade	...	Gibbs
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Spencer Charters	...	Marriage License Clerk (uncredited)
Sol Gorss	...	New York Pitcher (uncredited)
Herbert Gunn	...	Undetermined Supporting Role (uncredited)
Roland Jones	...	Undetermined Supporting Role (uncredited)
Hank Mann	...	Photographer at Marriage License Office (uncredited)
Spec O'Donnell	...	Young Man in Line (uncredited)
Lee Phelps	...	Umpire (uncredited)
Don Phillips	...	Undetermined Supporting Role (uncredited)
Leo White	...	Man in Phone Booth (uncredited)
Jean Wong	...	Young Woman in Line (uncredited)

Directed by
Frank Capra

Writing credits
Julius J. Epstein		(screenplay) (as Julius J.) and
Philip G. Epstein		(screenplay)
Joseph Kesselring		(play)

Produced by
Jack L. Warner	....	executive producer
Frank Capra	....	associate producer (uncredited)

Original Music by
Max Steiner		(music by)

Cinematography by
Sol Polito		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Daniel Mandell

Art Direction by
Max Parker

Costume Design by
Orry-Kelly		(gowns)

Makeup Department
Perc Westmore	....	makeup artist
George Bau	....	makeup artist (uncredited)
Anita De Beltrand	....	hair stylist (uncredited)
John Wallace	....	makeup man (uncredited)

Production Management
Eric Stacey	....	unit manager (uncredited)
Steve Trilling	....	production manager (uncredited)

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Claude Archer	....	second assistant director (uncredited)
Russell Saunders	....	assistant director (uncredited)

Art Department
Lou Hafley	....	props (uncredited)
Keefe Maley	....	second propman (uncredited)
Al Williams	....	assistant propman (uncredited)
Levi C. Williams	....	assistant propman (uncredited)

Sound Department
C.A. Riggs	....	sound
Everett A. Brown	....	mixer (uncredited)

Special Effects by
Robert Burks	....	special effects
Byron Haskin	....	special effects

Camera and Electrical Department
Wesley Anderson	....	second camera (uncredited)
Joe Cramer	....	best boy (uncredited)
Frank Evans	....	assistant camera (uncredited)
Mickey Marigold	....	still photographer (uncredited)
Harold Noyes	....	grip (uncredited)
Charles O'Bannon	....	gaffer (uncredited)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Cora Lobb	....	wardrobe (uncredited)
Leon Roberts	....	wardrobe (uncredited)

Music Department
Leo F. Forbstein	....	musical director
Hugo Friedhofer	....	orchestral arrangements

Other crew
Russel Crouse	....	producer: stage play
Howard Lindsay	....	producer: stage play
Harold Winston	....	dialogue director
Bob Fender	....	unit publicist (uncredited)
Dr. Herman Lissauer	....	researcher (uncredited)
Mal Merrihugh	....	stand-in: Cary Grant (uncredited)
Wandra Ramsey	....	script clerk (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Warner Bros. Pictures (A Warner Bros.-First National Picture) (presents)

Distributors

• Warner Bros. Pictures (1944) (USA) (theatrical)
• Warner Bros. (1946) (UK) (theatrical)
• Criterion Collection, The (1991) (USA) (video) (laserdisc)
• MGM/UA Home Entertainment (1994) (USA) (video) (laserdisc)
• Warner Home Video (2000) (USA) (DVD)
• Chapel Distribution (1997) (Australia) (theatrical)
• First Trading (2006) (Japan) (DVD)
• GP Museum Soft (2005) (Japan) (DVD)
• Junes Planning (2003) (Japan) (DVD)
• Keep (2007) (Japan) (DVD)
• Living Colour Entertainment (2008) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• Tone (????) (Japan) (DVD)
• Warner Home Video (2006) (USA) (DVD)

Also Known As:

Frank Capra's 'Arsenic and Old Lace' (USA) (complete title)

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:

On stage, Boris Karloff played the monstrous Jonathan Brewster, Raymond Massey's film character, who, in eerie-looking screen makeup, resembled Karloff, which was a running gag throughout the picture. Because Karloff was still appearing in the Broadway play during the film's production, he was unable to do the picture.

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:

Referenced in "Midsomer Murders: The Electric Vendetta (#4.3)" (2001)

Soundtrack:

Take Me Out to the Ball Game (1908)

Brilliant comedy like they could only make it in the old days

Arsenic and Old Lace is the most important contender for the funniest movie ever made !! Every single aspect and element in this movie is just perfect. And I'm NOT exaggerating... If I have to rate all the different elements of cinema separately, I would rate them all 10 out of 10. Acting, directing, plot, location, dialogues, sense of humor...all brilliant and in the right proportions. Frank Capra was responsible for several milestones and masterpieces in the history of cinema but - in my opinion - Arsenic and Old Lace beats them all. Yes, I DO think it's even better than 'It's a Wonderful Life' and 'Mr. Smith Goes to Washington' !!! Arsenic and Old Lace is just everything you could possibly wish for in a motion picture. A must see that comes with the highest possible recommendation.

Explaining the plot a bit would almost be impossible to do. The story goes about so many things. Don't be alarmed, it's not at all hard to follow or something. As a viewer, you're just being overwhelmed by a series of hilarious plot twists and intelligent side-characters and their backgrounds. So much that it is almost impossible to mention it all. And besides, it's better that you start watching it without knowing too much about the story anyway. Just sit back and enjoy being pleasantly surprised. I can't imagine that there are people out there who didn't fully enjoy this movie !! It comes really close to perfection, and the intelligence and originality of it will never again find an equal. Nowadays comedies are all low-brainers ( or even no-brainers ) that handle about dumb teenagers or dick and fart jokes. Arsenic and Old Lace is a comedy that is mainly story-driven and brought to an even higher level thanks the flawless acting performances.

Yes...let's talk about the cast a bit !! Cary Grant plays the role of his life in my opinion. Sure, he played many other brilliant roles but his character Mortimer Brewster is just the most memorable of them all. Grant's comedy talent was never stressed better than in this film. His facial expressions are hilarious and his the amazingly funny lines sound brilliant coming out of his mouth. The girl who played his wife Elaine ( forgot her name ) is very beautiful and a great match for him. And I was very enthusiast to see Peter Lorre in this film. He's in my top 5 list of greatest actors who ever lived and anyone who saw this movie will agree with me on that. He's just perfect as Dr. Einstein. I can keep on rambling about the cast but I think you get the whole picture... FLAWLESS !!!

Black comedy is one of the hardest subgenres of cinema to make a good movie out. Not many directors and scriptwriters have enough talent to take a subject like murder, death or insanity and make a masterpiece out of it. Stanley Kubrick did it with 'Dr. Strangelove' and Frank Capra did it with this one ... I think these men are the exception. Only these guys can make you laugh hysterically with subjects like this. Finally one more note : This is also a perfect movie to watch if you're a fan of classic horror movies and thrillers. First of all because of the tribute role by Peter Lorre of course but also because of the constant morbid atmosphere hanging around the movie...And, naturally, because of the character of Jonathan Brewster which clearly is a direct tribute to Boris Karloff...They even say so most of the times.

What the hell are you waiting for ?? Go watch it right now !