JOURNAL ARTICLE
Arsenic and Old Lace.
Published In: Cineaste, 2023, v. 48, n. 2. P. 60 1 of 3
Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3
Authored By: Smyth, J. E. 3 of 3
Abstract
This article reviews the 1944 film *Arsenic and Old Lace*, directed by Frank Capra and produced by Jack L. Warner, adapted from Joseph Kesselring's successful Broadway play. The dark comedy centers on the Brewster family, particularly two elderly aunts who poison lonely old men as an act of twisted charity, and their eccentric relatives, including nephew Mortimer Brewster, played by Cary Grant. The film is noted for its sharp dialogue, black humor, and memorable performances, especially contrasting Raymond Massey's Jonathan Brewster with Boris Karloff's original stage portrayal. Praised for its enduring appeal and farcical treatment of macabre themes, *Arsenic and Old Lace* remains a significant work in American theater and film history.
Additional Information
- Source:Cineaste. 2023/03, Vol. 48, Issue 2, p60
- Document Type:Film/TV Criticism and Review
- Subject Area:History
- Publication Date:2023
- ISSN:0009-7004
- Accession Number:162096671
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