Review of Arsenic and Old Lace (1944) by Brian B — 21 Jun 2009
Arsenic and Old Lace is a one of the best screwball comedies, mixing the madcap, the surreal and the sinister into one of Cary Grant's very best films. Grant felt that this was one of his worst performances and that he was horribly over the top but that type of acting style was required in this film.
The action is all very peculiar and certainly off-the-wall, and is kept together in a hysterical bundle by Grant. The supporting cast is uniformly excellent. The two aunts, played by Josephine Hull and Jean Adair, are fantastic.
They are so innocent and nonchalant about their twelve murders that the viewer never thinks of them as wicked murderers - they're just two dotty old women trying to help. Peter Lorre is also terrific as always as Raymond Massey's partner-in-crime.
Massey is suitably sinister but it would have been perfect if the Broadway producers had allowed Boris Karloff to reprise the role. Priscilla Lane, John Alexander, Jack Carson, Edward Everett Horton, James Gleason and Garry Owen all add tremendous support to the main cast .
As things get weirder, madder and more and more frantic, the pace never lets up. It just continuously spirals towards its screwy climax.
This review of Arsenic and Old Lace (1944) was written by Brian B on 21 Jun 2009.
Arsenic and Old Lace has generally received very positive reviews.
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