“Arsenic and Old Lace” — A Classic? — Yes!

(The ideas expressed in this blog do not reflect that of College of the Ozarks. They are completely the opinion of the writer)

1. The film has to be 30 years or older.

2. The movie should feature quality acting.

3. One should walk away remembering scenes or lines from the film.

4. The movie must display good storyline and writing.

5. The movie should emotionally involve the audience.

Synopsis: A young man about to be married discovers the two aunts who raised him have been poisoning lonely old men.

1.       The films have to be 30 years or older (yes).

In order for a movie to be considered a classic and not just another movie, it has to stand the test of time. Arsenic and Old Lace (written by Joseph O. Kesselring) was originally a play that made its Broadway debut in 1941. Later that year, Frank Capra directed a motion picture version of what was seen on the stage; the plan was to release the movie on September 30, 1942. The release date was delayed for 2 more years because of the play’s 3 ½ year run (over 1,400 performances).

From the play’s release date – 71 years

From the movie’s release date – 68 years

 2.       The movie should feature quality acting (yes) – Cary Grant as Mortimer Brewster.

During the 1940s, Hollywood had many great, well-known male personalities like: Jimmy Stewart, Humphrey Bogart, and Bob Hope (both of the latter were considered for the leading role). However, Cary Grant, an already established actor who had starred in movies like Bringing Up Baby (1938), and A Philadelphia Story (1940), was borrowed from another studio to play the leading role. I believe Cary Grant was a good choice for this movie because he gave a perfect balance of acting and comedy for this morbid sort of humor. He not only used his words, but also his body language. With just one look, he could give the audience more information than what the script demanded.

Bob Hope, a personality known best alongside Bing Crosby in “The Road To…” series, was mainly noted for his vaudeville style comedy and use of ad-libs. Hope had such a presence about him that if he was to portray the lead role in this film, it would look as if the person, Bob Hope, had stepped into a movie and not Bob Hope acting the part as Mortimer Brewster.  He would have brought a different kind of comedy to the picture, but not the kind that this movie required.

3.       One should walk away remembering scenes or lines from the film (yes).

There are many great moments and lines that can be remembered from this film. However, the one that stands out the most is the scene (or actually many scenes) where “Teddy Roosevelt” Brewster, played by John Alexander, rushes up the stairs yelling, “CHAAAAAARGE!”

According to Frank Capra’s autobiography, these scenes were also memorable to the viewers overseas. While stationed in London during WWII, he overheard both American and British soldiers shouting “Charge!” in the same way Teddy Roosevelt did during the movie, concluding that they must have seen the film.

4.       The movie must display good storyline and writing (yes).

The brilliant script from this movie was a combination of three different writers: Joseph O. Kesselring (the original playwright), and the theatrical production team of Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse. It is said that Kesselring never planned for it to be a comedy, but more of a mystery-thriller.

While in the brainstorming process, he thought of the worst thing his sweet grandmother could possibly do. This turned out to be murder. After writing the play, he sent a copy of it (then entitled “Bodies in Our Cellar”) over to Lindsay to read. His reaction of this play turned into laughter. Lindsay then contacted his partner Crouse, and together, with the agreement of Kesselring, they produced the show.

Although a lot of the script was re-written, and some new characters were added, the two producers were always careful to give credit where credit was due – to the original writer.

5.       The movie should emotionally involve the audience (yes).

This is a great example of how a movie can involve the audience. In a way, the  viewer joins Mortimer on this journey as he finds out, little by little, what his aunts have been doing and how he attempts to handle this problem. And if that isn’t enough, he has to deal with his cousin (who thinks he is Teddy Roosevelt), the return of his grotesque looking brother, and his newlywed wife (played by Priscilla Lane) who is now thrown into these bizarre events. Even once in the picture, Cary Grant breaks the fourth wall by speaking to the audience at the shock of finding a second dead body.

**Preview for my next entry: Get ready to hear the famous scream!

Works Cited:  www.imdb.com , www.tcm.com, www.artsclub.com, www.youtube.com, pictures from Google Images

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