David AllsoppArsenic and Old Lace (1944)
February 12th 2009 06:50
Director:- Frank Capra
Starring:- Cary Grant, Priscilla Lane, Josephine Hull, Jean Adair, Raymond Massey.
Adapted from a hit Broadway play by Joseph Kesselring, Arsenic and Old Lace figures as a riotous black and white romp through the New York Bronx. Made in 1941, the film took several years to be released before finally coming to the audience in 1944, when it no doubt provided some much needed absurdity.
The film revolves around successful drama critic Mortimer Brewster, and all those held dear to him. Mortimer, played by Cary Grant, is on his wedding day, soon to be married to the lovely Elaine Harper. Whilst being introduced to his world, we are taken to the Brewster household, which contains the eccentric trio of Aunt Abby, Aunt Martha and Teddy. Besides trying to avoid contradicting his anti-marital beliefs in his best selling novel, things seem to be going pretty well for Mortimer. However, all this is about to end as he gains further understanding into the habits of his two aunts. Aunt Martha and Aunt Abby are adjusting old and unaccounted for members of the public, which they seem quite at ease about. As soon as Mortimer is introduced to this fact, it’s all down hill for him, as he struggles to accept the apparent insanity in his family. In between his nephew charging through the house pretending to be Teddy Roosevelt, and his Aunt’s scheming new artefacts for their basement crypt, Mortimer must appease both his fiancé and his own nerves. Enter Mortimer’s evil brother Jonathan, his reluctant accomplice Dr Einstein, the local credulous law enforcement, and you have a riot.
At a count of 12 each, Jonathan Brewster and Mortimer’s two Aunts are neck and neck in a macabre showdown. However, the two Aunt’s have the home court advantage, and their tried and trusted recipe - 1 teaspoon of arsenic, half a teaspoon of strychnine, and a just a pinch of cyanide to 1 litre of elderberry wine.
The locale of these events is the Brewster household, which provides the majority of the movie’s scenery. This works well with the absurdity of the plot, as the story is flowery enough without any additional variety. The music is often gay and boisterous, which suits the playfulness of the film and adds humour to Grant’s acting. Yes, Grant is good in this, his impassioned and slightly over the top acting works well with the chaos of the film. However, special mention must go to Josephine Hull and Jean Adair, who play Aunt Abby and Aunt Martha respectively, as their altruistic outlook toward their scheming hobby proves to be highly entertaining.
Four bananas out of five.
Starring:- Cary Grant, Priscilla Lane, Josephine Hull, Jean Adair, Raymond Massey.
Adapted from a hit Broadway play by Joseph Kesselring, Arsenic and Old Lace figures as a riotous black and white romp through the New York Bronx. Made in 1941, the film took several years to be released before finally coming to the audience in 1944, when it no doubt provided some much needed absurdity.
At a count of 12 each, Jonathan Brewster and Mortimer’s two Aunts are neck and neck in a macabre showdown. However, the two Aunt’s have the home court advantage, and their tried and trusted recipe - 1 teaspoon of arsenic, half a teaspoon of strychnine, and a just a pinch of cyanide to 1 litre of elderberry wine.
The locale of these events is the Brewster household, which provides the majority of the movie’s scenery. This works well with the absurdity of the plot, as the story is flowery enough without any additional variety. The music is often gay and boisterous, which suits the playfulness of the film and adds humour to Grant’s acting. Yes, Grant is good in this, his impassioned and slightly over the top acting works well with the chaos of the film. However, special mention must go to Josephine Hull and Jean Adair, who play Aunt Abby and Aunt Martha respectively, as their altruistic outlook toward their scheming hobby proves to be highly entertaining.
Four bananas out of five.
| 67 |
| Vote |
Add To: 
subscribe to this blog
Comment by Michelle Sweeney
Competition Queen
Comment by Quin Goot
Bagman's Gazette