ARSENIC AND OLD LACE (1944) - ♦♦♦♦♦

Directed by - Frank Capra

Written by - Julius J. Epstein, Philip G. Epstein (based on a play by Joseph Kesserling)

Starring - Cary Grant

"On the day of his wedding, a theatrical critic discovers that insanity runs in his family when he finds out his beloved aunts are maniacal serial killers.

There is no denying that Arsenic and Old Lace is a true gem and classic of the comedy genre. The frantic pace and 100 miles an hour dialogue is very exciting and gripping. The wit and originality of the piece also makes the sequences that go over the top seem fun rather than annoying. But that is also down to Capra’s skilled choreography that remains theatrical whilst simplistically delightful.

And on top of that, Cary Grant’s comedic and likeable personal is let loose. Grant, in fact, is an admirable figure in classic Hollywood that could be as hellishly charming as devilishly funny. Here, he has a lot of fun throwing into the maddeningly catastrophic situation and drives the film to comedic perfection.

Arsenic and Old Lace stands out as a black slapstick romp with sinister undertones and one that has played an influential role for other films that have tried to replicate, or at least have tried to fiddle around with the same structure."

Comedy, USA