Arsenic And Old Lace
Mirthful Murder Cary-ed Off In Slapstick, Slap-Happy Style!
Cary Grant and a stellar cast romp through this classic farce based on Joseph Kesselring's 1941 Broadway hit and breezily directed by Frank Capra. Frazzled drama critic Mortimer Brewster (Grant) has two aunts (Josephine Hull and Jean Adair) who ply lonely geezers with poisoned libations, one sociopathic brother (Raymond Massey) who looks like Boris Karloff, one bonkers brother (John Alexander) who thinks he's Teddy Roosevelt, one impatient new bride (Priscilla Lane) -- and only one night to make it turn out all right. In this circus' center ring is Grant, twisting his face into a clown's gallery of flabbergasted reactions and transforming his natural athletic grace into a rubber-legged comic ballet. You'll die laughing.
Member Reviews
What a Unique Comedy! - ShawnConnery
Or maybe that was just the style back then! With a mixture of screwball, slapstick and black comedy, this was truly an outrageous but hilarious comedy. All the actors and actresses did a fine job, the use of shadows and camera angles was well done, and the dialogue was certainly a hit.Ageless humour - Woody2
One of the other reviewers was right- each generation has their own sense of humour, and different style of actor. Not to mention differences in culture! I still cannot fathom what the French see in Jerry Lewis! However, each to their own. This movie really stands up well, such a great combination of fun, craziness, twists and turns. Wonderful actors- Cary Grant had a perfect sense of timing. It feels more like a British classic, and a great way to relax, use those face muscles and wonder at a film without 4 letter words!Murder, monsters and sweet little old ladies - loveclassics
I'm always looking for movies to watch with the combination of c/c (comedy/Cary). Well this so far is the best c/c yet. It was not your typical predictable movie. I kept changing my mind as to what was going to happen and then...to my surprise a GREAT ending. What a combination: murder, comedy, monsters, suspense, sweet little old ladies with bad habits, a bit of a love story, and best of all a good looking hero. This movie has it all!
Member Reviews
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What a Unique Comedy! - ShawnConnery
Or maybe that was just the style back then! With a mixture of screwball, slapstick and black comedy, this was truly an outrageous but hilarious comedy. All the actors and actresses did a fine job, the use of shadows and camera angles was well done, and the ...Ageless humour - Woody2
One of the other reviewers was right- each generation has their own sense of humour, and different style of actor. Not to mention differences in culture! I still cannot fathom what the French see in Jerry Lewis! However, each to their own. This movie really ...Murder, monsters and sweet little old ladies - loveclassics
I'm always looking for movies to watch with the combination of c/c (comedy/Cary). Well this so far is the best c/c yet. It was not your typical predictable movie. I kept changing my mind as to what was going to happen and then...to my surprise a GREAT ...