Rating: 
Summary: Entertaining, But Rather Loose Adaptation
Review: ARSENIC AND OLD LACE isn't a strict adaptation of the classic Broadway play; in fact there are numerous interpolations that may have been necessary in order to get the film past the censors. On it's own terms, however, it's a very enjoyable screwball dark comedy. As Mortimer Brewster, who discovers his aunts are poisoning lonely old men and burying them in the cellar, Cary Grant is occassionaly too frantic, but quite funny nonetheless, especially in his quieter moments. The real value of ARSENIC is having Josephine Hull, Jean Adair, and John Alexander recreate their Broadway roles as Abby, Martha, and Teddy; all three are delightful. Boris Karloff hoped to star in the film, but regrettably was prevented from doing so by his contractual obligation to the stage show. However, Raymond Massey admirably fills in for Karloff with a suitably menacing performance. Peter Lorre is a scene stealing marvel as the weasly, drunken Dr. Einstein. A laughfest the whole family can enjoy.
Rating: 
Summary: ELDERBERRY WINE.
Review: The famous play by Joseph Kesselring was one of Broadway's biggest hits of the 1940's. This movie was actually filmed in 1941 and it's not typical of Capra's work; some, in fact find it one of Capra's lesser efforts yet the film is rollicking good fun any which way you slice it. Cary is admittedly broad in his playing, yet he's fresh and likeable as Mortimer (Grant himself disliked his performance & claimed he mugged too much for the camera.) the mild-mannered critic of plays who discovers that his kindly elderly aunts (excellently portrayed by veterans Hull and Adair) are actually committing "mercy killings" by serving unsuspecting lonely men guests Elderberry wine laced with arsenic! The cast is uniformly excellent with special kudos to Lorre and Massey; Jack Carson as O'Hara the cop is fun and the always welcome Gleason gives his standard stint as Rooney. As Teddy, little-known John Alexander is truly inspired, while Priscilla is cute and decorative as ancy Elaine. Some old movies which were yawned at during their release hold up better today-this is one of them! As a footnote, this movie was actually filmed in 1941, but because the Broadway play ran so long, it was kept from public release until 1944.
Rating:
Summary: If you don't have the money, CHARGE it!
Review: As a lover of comedies that feature eccentric characters, this film ranks high on my list as one of the best adaptations of a stage play to the screen. If you don't like madcap farce or black comedy, then you'd probably do well to pass this one up; but otherwise you'll enjoy this tale of a young man who, on the eve of of his wedding, discovers that his two eccentric old-maid aunts have been killing homeless men and burying them in their basement as an "act of charity." Josephine Hull and Jean Adair (reprising their Broadway roles) are hysterical, and Cary Grant is a lot of fun as bundle-of-nerves nephew Mortimer, the only sane Brewster. John Alexander also recreates the role he made famous on Broadway of Teddy, Mortimer's unbalanced brother who thinks he's Teddy Roosevelt. Unfortunately, the Broadway play cast Boris Karloff as Mortimer's brother Jonathan, and seeing as how Jonathan is constantly compared to the Frankenstein monster, it would have helped had Karloff been cast in the film version as well; but instead the role went to Raymond Massey, who does well with it, but some of the humor of the "Frankenstein" comparisons may be lost on him. Peter Lorre is also excellent as Jonathan's sidekick - his role is sort of a sendup of the "mad-scientist-henchman" role that was prolific in 30's and 40's monster movies. And I for one love the scenes with Edward Everett Horton (some may remember him as the tongue-in-cheek narrator of "Fractured Fairy Tales" on the old Bullwinkle cartoon show), who plays the proprietor of Happydale Sanitarium - his straightfaced delivery will have you in stitches. If you're a fan of crazy, nerve-wringing farce, you'll love this film - only make sure you buy the black and white version, not the colorized one.
Rating: 
Summary: This is what killed screwball comedies
Review: In one of those terrible busy performances that are almost unbearably painful to watch, Cary Grant (in a role better suited to the gifts of Jimmy Stewart) does what he can to resucitate this horribly cute deathwatch. Capra's whimsy is growing stale at this point in his career, and though somewhere someone must have thought this a stroke of genius, it is an utter disaster. The material which is really suited toward community theater and high school production hamminess, must have even seemed dated at the time. Now it is musty and worn out and incredibly creaky.If you want to see Grant at his best, watch Holiday or His Girl Friday or The Philadelphia Story. If you want to see Capra at his best: Meet John Doe or Mr. Deeds Goes to Town.
Rating:
Summary: Great (classic) fun!
Review: Over the top. This can be said about the acting, plot and caracters. If this is not your style, do not see it. You can see the script is adapted from the stage in both the set and the plot, but it is done with such great humour you can not help but laugh even more. The two kindly ladies help people out in the Brewster way, the discovery of what this means moore specifically somewhat disturbes Mortimer but makes for laughs from the audiance. One of the first dark comedies, and purhaps the best (given when it was made) it is a film to see.
Rating:
Summary: absolutely hilarious!
Review: One of the few old movies I really like. I can't watch Uncle Teddy 'charging' up the stairs without laughing. Buy it!
Rating:
Summary: Crazy Comedy
Review: I'm probably one of the few people that will say that I didn't like this film as much as I thought I would, based on what I had heard and read before I watched it. The premise is great, with the aunts burying the bodies in the cellar and the brother who thinks he's Teddy Roosevelt. I usually like movies with these kinds of off the wall set-ups and characters. I like some of the lines (especially the "galloping" insanity), but this movie wasn't completely successful for me. I know that Cary Grant was supposed to be over the top with his performance, but in my opinion, it doesn't always work. And the part of the plot dealing with his criminally insane brother doesn't fit in well. Some of the scenes are good, but overall, this film was a disappointment for me.
Rating:
Summary: The Laughter is Poisonous
Review: TOTALLY AWESOME AND WELL ACTED, DIRECTED, PRODUCED AND DONE. FUNNY, SMART AND A GREAT SCRIPT. THIS IS MY FAVORITE MOVIE!
Rating:
Summary: Classic Comedy at it's best.
Review: I love this movie. Cary Grant as Mortimer Brewster is absolutely hilarious. The timing in this movie couldn't be better. Grant mastered the art of the double-take in this film. The funniest part of it all is the non-chalant attitude of the 2 aunts. And "Teddy" is wonderful as well. I find myself occasionally "charging the block house!" My favorite line is when Grant says "Insanity runs in my family. It practically gallops." This is one to watch again and again.
Rating:
Summary: Funny!!!!!
Review: A great movie, I loved it!!!! I am not usually a fan of old movies, but this was great. The acting was superb and the plot was well thought out.
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