Review of Arsenic and Old Lace (1944) by Dave H — 08 Jun 2013
Classic black comedy, which will be far too theatrical and hammy for most modern audiences, but I enjoyed it (if less so than I was hoping to). Premise is darkly awesome, but the film (apart from a few creepy scenes of Massey parodying Karloff, and early Peter Lorre) is pure screwball frantic.
Some won't like seeing Grant in his panicky "Bringing Up Baby" style (as opposed to his more famed debonair grace), but I love the manic, wide-eyed energy he has here. Acting honours belong to Josephine Hull though, as sweet, murderous Aunt Abby, she's a riot and John Alexander as "Teddy Roosevelt".
Stagey, dated, fun. "Insanity runs in my family. It practically gallops.".
This review of Arsenic and Old Lace (1944) was written by Dave H on 08 Jun 2013.
Arsenic and Old Lace has generally received very positive reviews.
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