Arsenic and Old Lace (1944)

Police Sgt. Brophy: They're two of the dearest, sweetest, kindest, old ladies that ever walked the earth. They're out of this world. They're like, they're like pressed rose leaves. I'm slightly disappointed with Arsenic and Old Lace. My expectations were way too high. I expected a comedic masterpiece from Frank Capra and Cary Grant. What I got was still rather enjoyable, if not a masterpiece. Arsenic and Old Lace is a sporadically funny, dark, screwball comedy. It isn't Capra's best work, as it isn't Grant's. But together, they do make for a pretty fun, ridiculous and classic comedy.Mortimer is a play critic and a book writer. He writes books on how stupid getting married is and how bachelor life is the way to go. Then on Halloween he get married. He goes to tell his sweet, dear aunts and finds out they poison old lonely men and bury them in the cellar. The situation is made even worse, when his criminal brother shows up with a body of his own. This plot description may sound more like a horror film then a comedy, but the way it plays out is extremely humorous.What makes this movie so enjoyable would have to be the two aunts. They seem so sweet, even when they are talking about killing old men. They are so nonchalant about it. What they are doing seems so normal to them. They think they are doing the men favors. The two actresses, Josephine Hull and Jean Adir are wonderful as the aunts. They look and sound the part to perfection and make the wonderful premise all the more better.While this isn't one of the best comedies you will ever see, it is still a classic. You can't go wrong with Capra and Grant. Even if Grant's performance is a little too screwbally at times; these two greats weave a splendid two hours of pure entertainment.Aunt Martha: For a gallon of elderberry wine, I take one teaspoon full of arsenic, then add half a teaspoon full of strychnine, and then just a pinch of cyanide. Mortimer: Hmm. Should have quite a kick.