Arsenic and Old Lace (1944) Review: Cary Grant, Capra Comedy, and a House Full of Bodies

Debbie and Janna, the adorable mother-daughter-movie-duo, discuss Frank Capra’s 1944 classic - Arsenic and Old Lace - starring Cary Grant and Priscilla Lane, describing it as a hilarious mix of Halloween creepiness, romance, and farce.

 

They outline the premise: Grant’s character discovers his two aunts have been poisoning lonely old men with wine and hiding bodies in the cellar, while his brother believes he’s Teddy Roosevelt and another brother, Jonathan, is a psychopath who resembles Boris Karloff and arrives with Dr. Einstein for more face work.

 

They share favorite moments including the phone-booth scene, police saluting “Teddy Roosevelt,” near-misses with the poisoned wine, and Grant’s physical comedy. They note the Boris Karloff Broadway connection, discuss Lane’s grounding presence, and highlight the ending reveal that makes marriage acceptable for Grant’s character.

 

THINGS TO PONDER WITH YOUR POPCORN:

Learn more about the movie

Follow LGL in Classic Movies Hosts Debbie and Janna on Instagram

Meet the Production Team - Dee Daniels Media

 

FIND A FAVORITE SPOT IN THIS EPISODE:

00:00 Meet the Hosts

00:14 Movie Setup and Premise

01:19 Murderous Aunts and Brothers

02:08 Post Movie Reactions

02:27 Getting Lost in the Opening

04:13 Cary Grant Comedy Style

05:11 The Aunts and the Bodies

07:15 Boris Karloff Connection

08:07 Priscilla Lane and Romance

09:57 Ending and Favorite Scenes

11:51 Martini Shot and Wrap Up