Arsenic and Old Lace (1944) movie poster

Arsenic and Old Lace (1944)

"She Passed Out On Cary! No Wonder . . . She's just discovered his favorite aunts have poisoned their 13th gentleman friend!"
ThumbScore
๐Ÿ‘ 91%Google users liked it archived
Critics Score
๐ŸŽฌ 86% (RT: 86%) โ„น๏ธRT = Rotten Tomatoes (critic reviews). MC = Metacritic (weighted critic average). Critics Score is the average of both.
ComedyCrime

Where to Watch

Rent / Buy
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Director
Runtime
1h 58m
Country
United States of America
Language
English
TMDB Rating
7.6/10 (1,020 votes)
Rotten Tomatoes
86%
Cast
Cary Grant as Mortimer Brewster
Priscilla Lane as Elaine Harper Brewster
Josephine Hull as Aunt Abby Brewster
Jean Adair as Aunt Martha Brewster
Raymond Massey as Jonathan Brewster
John Alexander as 'Teddy Roosevelt' Brewster
Peter Lorre as Dr. Einstein
Jack Carson as Officer Patrick O'Hara
Yes. 91% of real audiences liked it based on 1,020 votes. Critics agree, scoring it 86%.
Overview
Mortimer Brewster, a newspaper drama critic, playwright, and author known for his diatribes against marriage, suddenly falls in love and gets married; but when he makes a quick trip home to tell his two maiden aunts, he finds out his aunts' hobby - killing lonely old men and burying them in the cellar! Wikipedia โ†—
Fun Facts
  • Cary Grant spent months preparing for the role, heavily researching the subject matter.
  • Frank Capra cited several classic comedy films as the primary inspiration for the visual style.
Audience Consensus

Arsenic and Old Lace is a 1944 comedy, crime film directed by Frank Capra. Mortimer Brewster, a newspaper drama critic, playwright, and author known for his diatribes against marriage, suddenly falls in love and gets married; but when he makes a quick trip home to tell his two maiden aunts, he finds out his aunts' hobby - killing lonely old men and burying them in the cellar!. The film has been rated by 1,020 audiences on ThumbScore, reflecting its reach and engagement with viewers.

As a comedy film, Arsenic and Old Lace delivers on the expectations of its genre while bringing its own distinctive perspective to the storytelling. The production showcases the creative vision of its filmmaking team, bringing together performances, cinematography, and narrative elements that have resonated with audiences. Arsenic and Old Lace (1944) continues to find viewers through theatrical releases, streaming platforms, and home media, maintaining its place in the contemporary entertainment landscape.

The film represents the kind of cinematic experience that has attracted a dedicated audience, with viewers appreciating its approach to the story and characters it presents.

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What Reddit Thinks

r/movies
⬆ 1,354💬 94 comments
"Arsenic and Old Lace" (1944) - A Halloween Classic from Frank Capra
Top comment: "*Insanity runs in my family. It practically gallops.* Mortimer Brewster "
r/movies
⬆ 1,234💬 85 comments
"Arsenic and Old Lace", Frank Capra's 1946 macabre screwball comedy, joins the Criterion Collection with a stunning digital transfer
Top comment: "This has always been one of my favourite movies! "Insanity runs in my family! It practically..."
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