Review of Arsenic and Old Lace (1944) by David F — 14 Mar 2010

Frank Capra's gallows-humor screwball farce highlights Cary Grant's lesser-known ability to play broad physical slapstick. Based on the hit Broadway play about two quaint Brooklyn ladies who take it upon themselves to poison the unfortunate transients who end up at their boarding house, Grant's Mortimer Brewster does all he can to keep from going mad himself as he discovers his auntie's plots (and I mean that in the most literal way) while his long-lost criminal brother (a truly scary Raymond Massey) pays a visit to hide out from the law.

Best features are creepy sidekick Peter Lorre, playing a role only he could pull off, and John Alexander as a bully 'Teddy Roosevelt'. Cast seems to be having great fun in this 'spirited' romp, but Grant could have done with a bit less ham in his bug-eyed performance.