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 | Insanity | Critic | Poison | Marriage

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:

The only film Frank Capra made with Cary Grant.

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:

References M (1931)

Soundtrack:

Funeral March (Marche Funèbre)

The Brooklyn Brewsters

"Arsenic and Old Lace", one of the best stage comedies that were seen on Broadway, gets the royal treatment via Frank Capra, a man that was born to direct the movie version, if ever there was a man to do so. The play written by Joseph Kisserling was given an excellent screen play treatment by the Julius and Philip Epstein team, two great movie adapters of all time.

This is a combination of a madcap and a screwball comedy. The first best thing in the film are the star turn performances by two of the original actresses that created the roles of Aunt Abby and Aunt Martha, Josephine Hull and Jean Adair, respectively. Just to see the Brewster sisters in action is worth the price of admission. These two women had the roles of a career by bringing life into the two kinds souls living in Brooklyn and doing good, as well as "helping lonely old men" to find happiness.

The second best reason for watching the film is Cary Grant. This is without a doubt one of the actor's best achievements in his long career in the movies! Mr. Grant plays Mortimer Brewster, a man that hates the idea of getting married and losing his freedom. That is, until the beautiful Elaine comes along. Mr. Grant is a joy to watch in the film, no matter what he is doing, at any given moment. His expressions, as well as his timing is impeccable, something one expects of all of Mr. Capra's movies.

The Brewster household is the center of the action, but for a stage play, it never seems confining, or theatrical, even though it's basically shot in one single set. This appears to be the Brooklyn area near the Heights where one can see the majestic bridge in the distant. Maybe around Old Fulton Street, or that area, where the River Cafe is located now.

Mr. Capra was able to assemble such a wonderful group of the best actors working in movies. Lovely Priscilla Lane is the woman that conquered Mortimer's heart. Raymond Massey is Jonathan, the Dracula-like sinister figure that is Mortimer's brother. Also, John Alexander, is seen as "Uncle Teddy", the man with a Teddy Roosevelt's complex. Peter Lorre makes a good contribution as Dr. Einstein.

Jack Carson and John Ridgley are seen as the police working the area where the Brewster live. The supporting players are amazing: Edward Everett Horton, Garry Owen, Grant Mitchell, James Gleason, and although seen briefly, the great Charles Lane, who is one of the photographers pursuing Mortimer and Elaine when they are getting the marriage license. Mr. Lane appeared in hundred of films and is still alive, 100 years young! In a way, it's ironic Mr. Lane survived almost all the people in the film!

An excellent film by that American master, Frank Capra!