Arsenic and Old Lace
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Movie Reviews of Arsenic and Old Lace
Movie Review: Twisted but Funny
Summary: 5 Stars
Two old ladies who poison lonely men and bury them in the basement -- it sounds, well, a little sickening. It is, however, the plot of one of the greatest comedies of all time, Frank Capra's "Arsenic and Old Lace".
Cary Grant gave some great performances throughout his career, but this may be his greatest comedy. The suave Grant stars as Mortimer Brewster, a renowned theater critic who despises marriage and Brooklyn. All of the action takes place, ironically, on Halloween, when Grant returns home to Brooklyn to inform his aunts that he has just tied the knot with next-door neighbor Elaine Harper (Priscilla Lane) and will be leaving on his honeymoon in Niagara Falls. While looking to destroy his notes for his latest literary work, 'Mind Over Matrimony', he accidentally discoveres a body in the window-seat of his aunts' living room. About to pin the murder on his insane brother, Teddy ("Roosevelt"), he quickly finds out that his seemingly sane aunts are behind the killing -- as one of their numerous 'charity' acts. The rest of the movie is one comedic scene after the other as Grant comes to terms with his aunts' killing of lonely old men, his quest to get Teddy committed to the Happy Dale Sanitarium, and the reappearance of his long-lost brother, hit man Jonathan (Raymond Massey).
With thirteen bodies, a jar of poisonous elderberry wine, and two policemen running about, this comedy will keep you laughing for hours.
Movie Review: Watch, die laughing, repeat...
Summary: 5 Stars
A well known drama critic, Mortimer Brewster (Cary Grant), gets married on a Halloween night. Very soon, obstacles emerge between him and his honey moon...namely: thirteen dead bodies; two crazy aunts; one brother who thinks he's Ted Roosevelt; one criminally insane brother; his brilliant, but permanently drunken surgeon sidekick; incompetent police; uncooperative psychiatrists; an annoyed cabbie; and, worst of all...a, by now, impatient and oblivious to it all bride...If Mortimer, the only sane Brewster (or is he?), ever hopes to commence his marital bliss, he must bring order to it all and has only one night to do it!
While I am not typically given to belly laughs at the movies, I was rolling on the sofa with histerics while watching this superbly acted and scripted dark comedy! The fun begins with Mortimer's discovery of the first body and does not end until the credits roll. The zany characters weave in and out of Mortimer's life with the speed of light, disrupting his own sence of sanity, and allowing Grant's vast comedic skill to shine brightly.
"Arsenic and Lace" turns 65 this year, but it is as fun, cool and fresh today as it was in 1944. Be ready for many repeated viewings!
PS: The paper clad DVD is bare bones, with English and French subtitles only. Can't beat the price though!
Movie Review: 5 Stars
This is a amazing movie, it's very old and i don't think it was well loved back in it's day, but it's a halloween favorite for me and my family, it all started when my grandmther who loves this movie to death, showed it to me when i was a kid.now the movie is scary in the second half when the brother shows up, when i was a kid it was hard to watch it, but it's tame by todays standards, but the little tikes watching it might need a parent or loved one to cuddle up with in a few arts.
the humor is over the top but in the old hollywood style screwball comedy humor, and it works well, grant is at his best here, and there are so many quotes that i use all year round that will be stuck in your head.
now i say it's a halloween story, and it is, it was meant to be his halloween classic like it's a wonderful life was a classic for christmas, but it's a great movie for any time of the year, but it's great to drag out for the whole family on all hallows eve, turn down the lights, scare away the trick or treaters and watch it, the mood set in the movie is great, blowing leeves, old cemetary, a house with 13 bodies in the basement and one in the window seat and a poor guy who gets wrapped up in it all and just tries to make it through the night without going insane.
Movie Review: A classic!
Summary: 5 Stars
This is absolutely one of the most entertaining, side-splitting movies that i have ever seen. At the present time that I wrote this review, I was 18, therefore very young to know anything about vintage Hollywood. I mean the REAL Hollywood. About a few months back, still in high school, more specifically in my English class, our teacher gave us a few days off to watch this movie. I felt we were being forced to watch some old movie garbage to satisfy her needs of 'exposing us young kids to classic silverscreen films.' Well bein a movie and having a few days off, i reluctantly sat and watched what i had no idea would be the most funny movie/story i had ever seen. Being a black comedy and in Black and White Color, added to the unique panache of this wonderful movie. I even understand that Cary Grant received a well deserved Oscar nomination. Ingeniously written and flowing constantly without any slow moments, this movie has made me more appreciative of classic films back in the good old days when movies were made intently to tell a good story outlined with witty plots and lovable characters. Even the 'bad guys', got sympathy from me once in a while. In general if you want a good laugh or a good ol entertainin' night on the sofa, watch this movie!Movie Review: A fun Halloween story
Summary: 5 Stars
I have seen this movie dozens of times on TV. The problem is they always cut out a lot of the little nuances that make the movie fun; sometimes it is crucial to the story. Now you can see the whole story in its entirety. Lots of sight gags and relies on many expressions to convey what they are thinking.
If this looks like a play, that is because it is a play. It was written by Joseph Kesserling and opened in New York City 10 JAN 41. It ran for 1,444 performances. Boris Karloff was an investor and the star attraction so he could not be released for the movie.
The story takes place all on Halloween night in Brooklyn. Mortimer Brewster (Cary Grant) a critic, that wrote a scathing book about the negatives of marriage, gets married. He soon finds out about his families past and where the bodies are buried. Soon he is to be visited by his estranged or just strange brother (Raymond Massey). Seems that his brother and his brother's partner, Dr. Einstein (Peter Lorre), has some little says that it is perfect to get the right person for it baby secrets of their own. Keep your eye on the elderberry wine.
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