Arsenic and Old Lace
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Movie Reviews of Arsenic and Old Lace
Movie Review: Comedies don't get much blacker.
Summary: 5 Stars
Rarely does a movie make me laugh as much as "Arsenic and Old Lace." I don't even know what it is that gets me going, but this film has it. It is just...crazy!The plot is charmingly ridiculous, full of outrageous twists and turn, sight gags and snappy dialog. The cast is perfect, with effective overacting from Cary Grant , silly looming from Raymond Massey and Peter Lorre and the innocent evil of Josephine Hull and Jean Adair. Priscilla Lane also captures hearts as the longing Mrs, Brewster, wondering what has become of her new husband. The use of a single set is barely noticed amongst the antics. The director gets just what he wants out of every scene.
A black comedy if ever there was one, each murder becomes an avenue for further comedy and madness is the enviable state. Elderberry wine is an elegant murder weapon, and the two old biddies are perfectly adorable murderers.
For such a classic film, one could wish for a better DVD presentation. There is really not much here other than the movie. Still, it looks nice and the comedy would not be improved by extras. This one will keep me laughing for years to come.
Movie Review: "Two hours and when it was all over, what?"
Summary: 5 Stars
I was first introduced to ARSENIC AND OLD lace as a child after visiting two sweet aunts and a crazy uncle of mine who lived together and had a "mysterious" celler of their own. My father told me they reminded him of ARSENIC AND OLD LACE and I had never seen the movie, so when we returned home we watched it.The movie was filmed over 60 years ago and except for the dated references (WWII, Brooklyn Dodgers, Boris Karloff) the film remains amazingly fresh. Though this was one of Cary Grant's least favorite performances, his comedic talents shine, offsetting the rather low key peformances by the other members of the cast.
The movie stays fairly close to the play, especially in dialogue. The major difference being that Mortimer and Elaine are married rather than just engaged.
The movie starts off rather slow, but quickly picks up steam and doesn't lift up until the film's conclusion. Full of wit and vitality, this is the type of movie comedy that Hollywood rarely makes nowadays. Great viewing for anytime of the year, but it especially makes a nice treat around Halloween.
Movie Review: A Little Arsenic with Your Elderberry Wine?
Summary: 5 Stars
This movie is a brilliant dark comedy, where the idea that killing lonely elderly men is wrong and illegal just doesn't occur to Aunts Martha and Abby. The idea that the Police would be interested in stopping them from their "charity work" is unfathomable to them. Cary Grant, one of my favorite actors, plays his part perfectly, parts aghast, gullible, harried, confused, faithful nephew, and finally son of a sea cook. The cast plays this script for all its worth and deliver performances that make the whole concept work. The performance by Peter Lorre as the doctor is so fine, a poor little man caught in the insanity of Jonathan Brewster. He is alternates scheming and pathetic. But in the end it is Cary Grant who delivers the sights that call for laughter. His sitting in the chair and describing his own trussing up is just priceless, followed immediately by the gullibility of the young beat cop and his being thrilled to have a 'captive' audience. I strongly recommend this movie to all Cary Grant and Peter Lorre fans and all fans of dark comedies.Movie Review: I love this movie
Summary: 5 Stars
I absolutely love this movie, and the main reason is Cary Grant. My only regret where Cary Grant is concerned is that I wasn't alive when his pictures were actually shown in theaters! But then, I wouldn't get to enjoy them over and over again on my DVDs. No one Hollywood has to offer today can ever expect to hope to touch him for talent or looks. I even have my 12- and 10-year-old nieces begging to watch this and "Bringing Up Baby" over and over again! Even a kid knows quality when they see it.
Anyway, this movie also has a great ensemble cast, and despite the plot revolving around death and murder, is somehow sweet and endearing. Lucky for us, it showcases the beautiful, but very underrated, Priscilla Lane. For some reason, it seems she got lost in the '40's shuffle of beautiful blondes. If you want to catch her again, get "Sabateour", a dilly from Hitchcock, also starring Bob Cummings. I personally think they have more chemistry than she and Grant, if that's possible.
Movie Review: Hilarious!
Summary: 5 Stars
Arsenic and Old Lace is one of the funniest comedies of all time. Based on the hit Broadway show of the same name, it is about a drama critic who finds out that his aunts have been poisioning people (hence the title) out of a desire to help them (they only poison lonely old men) out of their misery. Anyhow, the dialogue is truly hilarious ("Insanity doesn't just run in the family - it practically gallops.") and the cast is great!Even though Cary Grant, who played the lead role, always said he disliked his performance in Arsenic and Old Lace (he complained that Capra pushed him into overplaying instead of his usual more restrained style) I think he was excellent! His expressions are priceless, and it is impossible to keep a straight face while watching his frantic movements about the house. The aunts are also quite good, as are the actors playing the other crazy brothers.
All in all, this movie is a must have! If you haven't seen it already, you are in for a treat.