Review of Arsenic and Old Lace (1944) by Martin B — 06 Aug 2011

Classic absurd horror-comedy play for cinema.

A classic play doen't automatically work for the big screen however clever the script is, but this one most definitely work as a splendid movie experience. And depite the fact that this comes all the way from 1944 it could have worked in modern time setting without much change in the script.

Cary Grant (Or David Byrne that people born in the '70s might mix up him with) plays the cool bachelor who is on his way from freedom into marriage, but a stop to his old aunts kind of delay him for quite some time.

We also meet small hero actor Peter Lorre as the lilttle german villain and eventhough everyone is acting out great in this neat black comedy I have to point out John Alexander as well. Alexander plays the american president Teddy Roosevelt, kind of, and how he plays him. So much fun.

Witty, and in good speed. a classic '40s drama of the very highest quality.