Arsenic and Old Lace (film)

Arsenic and Old Lace is a 1944 American dark comedy film directed by Frank Capra, starring Cary Grant, and based on Joseph Kesselrings play Arsenic and Old Lace. The script adaptation was by Julius J. Epstein and Philip G. Epstein. Capra actually filmed the movie in 1941 because of star Cary Grants availability, but it was not released until 1944, after the original stage version had finished its run on Broadway. The lead role of Mortimer Brewster was originally intended for Bob Hope, but he could not be released from his contract with Paramount. Capra had also approached Jack Benny and Ronald Reagan before learning that Grant would accept the role. Boris Karloff played Jonathan Brewster, who looks like Karloff, on the Broadway stage, but he was unable to do the movie as well because he was still appearing in the play during filming, and Raymond Massey took his place. Note The films supporting cast also features Priscilla Lane, Jack Carson, Edward Everett Horton and Peter Lorre.

The plot revolves around the Brewster family of Brooklyn, New York, descended from the Mayflower and composed of illustrious White AngloSaxon Protestant ancestors whose portraits line the walls. The religious theme is repeatedly mentioned, and Elaine is the daughter of the minister who lives next door, with some scenes held in its ancient cemetery. Today the Brewster clan comprises insane murderers.Despite having written several books ridiculing marriage as an oldfashioned superstition, Mortimer Brewster Cary Grant falls in love with Elaine Harper Priscilla Lane, who grew up next door to him in Brooklyn, and, on Halloween day, they marry. Immediately after the wedding, Mortimer visits the eccentric but lovable relatives who raised him and who still live in his old family home his elderly aunts Abby Josephine Hull and Martha Jean Adair, and his brother Teddy John Alexander, who believes he is Theodore Roosevelt. Each time Teddy goes upstairs, he yells Charge and takes the stairs at a run, imitating Roosevelts famous charge up San Juan Hill. ........

Source: Wikipedia