Review of Arsenic and Old Lace (1944) by Lucas Q — 08 May 2008

I keep forgetting that Frank Capra directed this screwball comedy. It is such a different film for him other than You Can?t Take It With You. I believe this is the only film which Frank Capra directed that featured Cary Grant, and boy did Capra utilize him.

Grant is mugging like every shot in this dark comedy which makes fun of well just about everything. We have Teddy facing off with Johnathan Brewster, Grant's brother in the film, who looks like Boris Karloff.

Now if that doesn?t confuse you then enjoy this comedy which is primarily physical and provided by Grant. Of course, I can?t forget to mention the marvelously creepy Peter Lorre as he plays the squeamish Doctor Einstein.

Much of the cast is taken from the Broadway hit, and that works perfect as it introduced to the screen Josephine Hull who would later go on to win an Oscar for Harvey. Great fun to enjoy on a Halloween night.