Arsenic and Old Lace (1944)
Arsenic and Old Lace (1944)
Plot.
Where to Watch.
Currently Arsenic and Old Lace is available for streaming online, rent, buy or watch for free on: Apple TV, Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, Vudu, YouTube, AMC on Demand, VUDU Free
Streaming in:πΊπΈ United States
This Movie Is About.
Cast & Crew.
Cary Grant
Mortimer Brewster
Priscilla Lane
Elaine Harper Brewster
Josephine Hull
Aunt Abby Brewster
Jean Adair
Aunt Martha Brewster
Raymond Massey
Jonathan Brewster
John Alexander
'Teddy Roosevelt' Brewster
Peter Lorre
Dr. Einstein
Jack Carson
Officer Patrick O'Hara
Edward Everett Horton
Mr. Witherspoon
James Gleason
Lt. Rooney
Grant Mitchell
Reverend Harper
Edward McNamara
Sergeant Brophy
Garry Owen
Taxi Cab Driver
John Ridgely
Officer Saunders
Vaughan Glaser
Judge Cullman
Chester Clute
Dr. Gilchrist
Charles Lane
Reporter at Marriage License Office
Edward McWade
Gibbs
Hank Mann
Photographer at Marriage License Office (uncredited)
Spencer Charters
Marriage License Clerk
Sol Gorss
New York Pitcher (uncredited)
Lee Phelps
Umpire (uncredited)
Raymond Walburn
Drummer at baseball game (uncredited)
Spec O'Donnell
Young Man in Line (uncredited)
Leo White
Man in Phone Booth (uncredited)
Frank Capra
Director / Producer
Jack L. Warner
Producer
Joseph Kesselring
Theatre Play
Julius J. Epstein
Screenplay
Philip G. Epstein
Screenplay
Sol Polito
Director of Photography
Daniel Mandell
Editor
Max Parker
Art Direction
Orry-Kelly
Costume Design
Perc Westmore
Makeup Artist
George Bau
Makeup Artist
Eric Stacey
Unit Production Manager
Russell Saunders
Assistant Director
C.A. Riggs
Sound
Robert Burks
Special Effects
Media.
Details.
Release DateSeptember 1, 1944
StatusReleased
Running Time1h 58m
Budget$1,120,175
Genres
Wiki.
Arsenic and Old Lace is a 1944 American screwball mystery black comedy film directed by Frank Capra and starring Cary Grant. The screenplay by Julius J. Epstein and Philip G. Epstein is based on Joseph Kesselring's 1941 play of the same name. The contract with the play's producers stipulated that the film would not be released until the Broadway run ended. The original planned release date was September 30, 1942. The play was hugely successful, running for three and a half years, so the film was not released until 1944.
The lead role of Mortimer Brewster was originally intended for Bob Hope, but he could not be released from his contract with Paramount Pictures. Capra had also approached Jack Benny and Richard Travis before learning that Grant would accept the role. On the Broadway stage, Boris Karloff played Jonathan Brewster, who is said to "look like Boris Karloff". According to Turner Classic Movies, Karloff, who gave permission for the use of his name in the film, remained in the play to appease the producers, who were afraid of what stripping the play of all its primary cast would do to ticket sales. Raymond Massey took Karloff's place on screen. The film's supporting cast also features Jack Carson, Priscilla Lane, Peter Lorre, and Edward Everett Horton.
Josephine Hull and Jean Adair portray the Brewster sisters, Abby and Martha, respectively. Hull and Adair, as well as John Alexander (who played Teddy Brewster), reprised their roles from the 1941 stage production. Hull and Adair both received an eight-week leave of absence from the stage production, which was still running, but Karloff did not, as he was an investor in the stage production and its main draw. The entire film was shot within those eight weeks. The film cost just over $1.2 million of a $2 million budget to produce.