Movie Monday: Arsenic and Old Lace (1944)
For years all I have heard is how Hocus Pocus is the perfect Halloween. Trust me I love that film too, but Arsenic and Old Lace takes the cake for Halloween movies. This film has it all! It even takes place on a Halloween!
These photos are not mine.
There are not too many Halloween themed films that can make you laugh, but Arsenic and Old Lace manages to do just that! We initially see that the day which we observe this entire movie is, in fact, Halloween. After that fact is established, it all goes downhill for Cary Grant’s character.
The reactions Grant makes in Arsenic and Old Lace are very much what we in our modern day terminology would deem “meme worthy”. What I think makes this film so special is that the actors are able to pull off the nonchalant attitude of each character perfectly! A lot of that is to the credit of the actors themselves, but it also has a lot to do with how Frank Capra produced this movie.
These photos are not mine.
Like so many of Capra’s movies, Arsenic and Old Lace still has the “American Dream” vibe to it. The setting of New York and Brooklyn is an absolutely perfect location for the story of this film to take place. However, we do not see much of the location which was chosen, it is still a great choice for at least the beginning of this movie.
These photos are not mine.
Personally, I think this is Cary Grant’s best film and performance. Grant made a lot of movies that had at least a little touch of humor, but Arsenic and Old Lace certainly had a lot more than a touch. This line of humor that can be found throughout the story of this film is really what makes it memorable! In my opinion, none of the other Frank Capra films are quite this funny or have much humor in them at all.
I couldn’t possibly imagine this film or role without Cary Grant in it. He was able to handle of the reactions that the plot of this film demanded of him, and he was a fast talker just like he was in His Girl Friday. Not too many actors back in Old Hollywood or even today would be able to pull off the kind of performance that Grant did in Arsenic and Old Lace.
These photos are not mine.
If you are looking for the perfect movie to watch building up to Halloween, be sure to check out Arsenic and Old Lace! It is a classic with as many plot twists as it has fun facts. Plus, who doesn’t enjoy a good Cray Grant film?
Much Love,
Sarah
