Arsenic and Old Lace poster & wallpaper
Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites

Cary Grant, Priscilla Lane, Raymond Massey, Jack Carson, Peter Lorre ... see more see more... , Edward Everett Horton , James Gleason , Josephine Hull , Jean Adair , John Alexander , Grant Mitchell , Edward McNamara , Garry Owen , John Ridgely , Vaughan Glaser , Chester Clute , Charles Lane , Edward McWade , Spencer Charters , Hank Mann , Lee Phelps , Leo White

Arsenic and Old Lace is director Frank Capra's spin on the classic Joseph Kesselring stage comedy, which concerns the sweet old Brewster sisters (Josephine Hull, Jean Adair), beloved in their genteel ... read more read more...Brooklyn neighborhood for their many charitable acts. One charity which the ladies don't advertise is their ongoing effort to permit lonely bachelors to die with smiles on their faces--by serving said bachelors elderberry wine spiked with arsenic. When the sisters' drama-critic nephew Mortimer (Cary Grant) stumbles onto their secret, he is understandably put out--especially since he has just married the lovely Elaine Harper (Priscilla Lane). Given the homicidal tendencies of his aunts, the sinister activities of his escaped-convict older brother Jonathan (Raymond Massey) and the disruptive behavior of younger brother Teddy (John Alexander)--who is convinced that he's really Theodore Roosevelt, and runs around the house yelling "CHAAAAARGGGE"--Mortimer isn't keen on starting a family with his new bride. "Insanity runs in my family," he explains. "It practically gallops." Further complications ensue when the murderous Jonathan Brewster arrives home, with his snivelling accomplice Dr. Einstein (Peter Lorre) in tow. When Jonathan learns that his darling aunts have killed twelve men, he is incensed--they're challenging his own record of murders. Though the movie rights for Arsenic and Old Lace were set up so that the film could not be released until 1944, director Capra shot the film quickly and inexpensively in 1941, so that his family could subsist on his $100,000 salary while he was serving in World War II. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Flixster Users

91% liked it

43,868 ratings

Critics

91% liked it

22 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 58 min.

Directed by: Frank Capra

Release Date: September 23, 1944

Keywords: funny, funniest, old

Invite friends to see

DVD Release Date: August 29, 2000

Get It:

Stats: 2,736 reviews

report incorrect info

Photos

Arsenic and Old Lace Arsenic and Old Lace Priscilla Lane and Cary Grant Arsenic and Old Lace Scene from Arsenic and Old Lace Arsenic and Old Lace
Upload a Photo | View All Arsenic and Old Lace Photos

Your Rating


clear rating

Flixster Reviews (2,736)

  • garyX
    March 7, 2012
    garyX
    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 "kook... read morey" 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.
  • blkbomb
    December 29, 2011
    blkbomb
    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 expecte... read mored 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. 
  • fb1664868775
    November 13, 2011
    fb1664868775
    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.
  • jamers2011
    November 8, 2011
    jamers2011
    The perfect combination of dark comedy and thrills! Cary Grant is really good here.
  • ironclad1609
    September 25, 2011
    ironclad1609
    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 ... read morenever 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.
  • FilmFanatik
    December 10, 2010
    FilmFanatik
    An absolute madcap screwball comedy bonanza of the highest order. Cary Grant alone is reason enough to see this.
  • ajv2688
    October 13, 2010
    ajv2688
    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... read more Lorre.
  • webalina
    August 5, 2010
    webalina
    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 nut... read morety 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.
  • bottcorecords1
    July 19, 2010
    bottcorecords1
    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 Fran... read morek 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.
  • MeetMeinMontauk
    November 30, 2009
    MeetMeinMontauk
    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!

View All Arsenic and Old Lace Reviews

Critic Reviews

Variety Staff
August 13, 2007
Variety Staff, Variety

Despite the fact that picture runs 118 minutes, Frank Capra has expanded on the original play [by Joseph Kesselring] to a sufficient extent to maintain a steady, consistent pace. Full Review

Dave Kehr
August 13, 2007
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

The timing is abysmal throughout, turning fast pace into numbing frenzy. Full Review

August 8, 2006
New York Times

Good macabre fun. Full Review

Charles Cassady
December 14, 2010
Charles Cassady, Common Sense Media

Cary Grant serial-killer comedy classic is cozy and tame. Full Review

August 13, 2007
TV Guide's Movie Guide

Riotously funny. Full Review

Geoff Andrew
June 24, 2006
Geoff Andrew, Time Out

Dusty but gentle entertainment. Full Review

Emanuel Levy
July 17, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

Unable to conceal the film's theatrical origins, Capra misfires as a director and misguides Cary Garnt, who's too mannered, but the time, the combo of horror and comedy was new and the old ladies' gru... Full Review

Steve Crum
October 25, 2004
Steve Crum, Kansas City Kansan

Charge! off to see this classic Capra screwballer.

Scott Nash
September 27, 2003
Scott Nash, Three Movie Buffs

has stood the test of time to remain as funny today as anything Hollywood is producing now. Full Review

Bob Bloom
March 6, 2003
Bob Bloom, Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)

Not one of Capra's best. Grant is too hammy and out of control, and without Boris Karloff as Jonathan Brewster, the joke is lost.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Cast

More Like This

Click a thumb to vote on that suggestion, or add your own suggestions.

  • Harvey
    Harvey (100%)
  • The Ladykillers
    The Ladykillers (80%)
  • Bringing Up Baby
    Bringing Up Baby (89%)
  • Burn After Reading
    Burn After Reading (18%)

More Movies like Arsenic and Old Lace

Facts

Submit a Fact | View All
    • "Teddy Roosevelt" Brewster: [Mr. Witherspoon has just met Teddy and Teddy pulls Mortimer aside] Is he trying to move into the White House before I've moved out?
    • Mortimer Brewster: Who?
    • "Teddy Roosevelt" Brewster: [points to Mr. Witherspoon] Taft!
    • Dr. Einstein: You shouldn't have killed him. Just because he know something about us, what happens?
    • Jonathan Brewster: We come to him for help, and he tries to shake us down. Besides, he said I looked like Boris Karloff!
    • Mortimer Brewster: [singing] There is a Happydale, far, far away...
    • Martha Brewster: 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 Brewster: Hmm. Should have quite a kick.
    • Dr. Einstein: No, no, Johnny. You cannot count him. You got twelve, they got twelve. The old ladies is just as good as you are!
    • "Teddy Roosevelt" Brewster: Charge!
Submit a Fact | View All

Arsenic and Old L... : Watch Free on TV

Arsenic and Old Lace Trivia

  • In what movie starring Cary Grant do two little old ladies poison old men and bury them in their basement out of the goodness of their hearts?  Answer »
  • Who plays Mortimer in Arsenic and Old Lace?  Answer »
  • In what movie does Cary Grant play the nephew of two "gentle" old ladies?  Answer »
  • Which actor portrayed Mortimer Brewster in the 1944 film, Arsenic and Old Lace?  Answer »
More Arsenic and Old Lace Trivia

Movie Quizzes

Create a Quiz |

All Quizzes

Video Clips

Upload a Video |

All Arsenic and Old Lace Videos

Meet Other Fans

Add Arsenic and Old Lace to favorites

Recent News

No recent headlines. Got one?

Recent Lists

Make a List |

View All Lists

Most Popular Skin

No skins yet. Interested in creating one?