Arsenic and Old Lace Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A newlywed discovers his sweet old aunts are running a bizarre boarding house for corpses, while his brother thinks he’s Teddy Roosevelt and digs up the yard, because family.

🍿 Arsenic and Old Lace: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Fateful Wedding Day

Mortimer Brewster, a confirmed bachelor and author who disparages marriage, ironically decides to marry Elaine Harper. Their plans are disrupted when Mortimer visits his seemingly innocent aunts, Abby and Martha Brewster, in their Brooklyn home before heading to Niagara Falls for their honeymoon. The film opens with Mortimer and Elaine getting married, setting the stage for the chaotic events to come.

Discovery in the Window Seat

While visiting his aunts, Mortimer discovers a dead body hidden in a window seat. His aunts calmly explain that they’ve been poisoning lonely old men with elderberry wine laced with arsenic, strychnine, and cyanide as an act of ‘charity.’ They believe they’re putting these men out of their misery. This shocking revelation throws Mortimer’s world into disarray.

Family Madness Intensifies

The situation escalates with the arrival of Mortimer’s brother, Jonathan, a homicidal maniac who looks like Boris Karloff due to botched plastic surgery performed by his alcoholic accomplice, Dr. Einstein. Jonathan is on the run from the law and intends to use his aunts’ home to hide another body. The dynamic becomes increasingly complicated as Mortimer tries to protect his aunts, hide their crimes, and manage his increasingly distraught fiancée.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Mortimer Brewster (Cary Grant): A drama critic and author who discovers his aunts are serial killers on his wedding day.
• Abby Brewster (Josephine Hull): One of the seemingly sweet old aunts who poisons lonely old men as an act of ‘charity’.
• Martha Brewster (Jean Adair): The other seemingly sweet old aunt who participates in the arsenic-laced elderberry wine killings.
• Jonathan Brewster (Raymond Massey): Mortimer’s murderous brother, whose face resembles Boris Karloff due to botched plastic surgery, returns home with another body.
• Dr. Einstein (Peter Lorre): Jonathan’s alcoholic and inept plastic surgeon accomplice who tries to help him evade the authorities.
• Elaine Harper (Priscilla Lane): Mortimer’s new wife, who is initially unaware of the craziness surrounding the Brewster family.
• ‘Teddy Roosevelt’ Brewster (John Alexander): Mortimer’s mentally ill brother who believes he is Theodore Roosevelt and digs ‘Panama Canals’ (graves) in the cellar.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Mortimer: “Insanity runs in my family… It practically gallops.” – Mortimer explains to Elaine why they can’t get married, fearing he’ll inherit his family’s madness.
• Aunt Abby: “We think Mr. Hoskins was such a lonely old man.” – Aunt Abby explains their motive for killing lonely old men to Mortimer.
• Teddy: “Charge!” – Teddy yells this while running upstairs, believing he is Theodore Roosevelt charging San Juan Hill.
• Mortimer: “I’m the son of a sea cook!” – Mortimer exclaims his relief at discovering he is not a Brewster by blood and therefore not prone to insanity.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $1,164,000
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 Arsenic and Old Lace Reviews

Personal Review

I adore *Arsenic and Old Lace*! Cary Grant is at his frantic best, and the aunts are just deliciously wicked. The whole ‘Panama Canal’ bit slays me every time. Sure, it’s theatrical, but that’s part of its charm. I laughed out loud, and the way everything escalates into utter chaos is comedic genius. Plus, Peter Lorre adds a layer of classic horror fun that’s just perfect. It’s a laugh riot from start to finish and a must-see for any classic comedy lover.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic black comedies”
  • “Viewers who appreciate farcical humor”
  • “Cary Grant enthusiasts”
  • “Those interested in Golden Age Hollywood films”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild violence and comedic depictions of murder”
  • “Dark humor that may not appeal to all audiences”

Professional Reviews

• Gold Derby: “While not a direct review of *Arsenic and Old Lace*, Gold Derby’s Cary Grant movie ranking places it among his 15 greatest films, highlighting Grant’s comedic talent and the movie’s enduring appeal. The film is celebrated for its dark humor and ensemble cast.
• User Review: “A user from IMDb praises the movie as a “Comic masterpiece”. They noted Cary Grant’s comic skills, the sinister performances by Massey and Lorre, and the charm of the murderous aunts. The viewer enjoyed the wit, slapstick, and crazy plot twists.
• User Review: “Another user review stated that Cary Grant’s timing and expressions were priceless. This movie is an enjoyable film and the storyline is hilarious with plenty of twists. The reviewer enjoys Grant’s many expressions and the overall cast.

Audience Reactions

The darkly comedic plot kept viewers laughing throughout.: Most viewers agreed the film’s absurd humor and fast-paced plot make it highly entertaining.

Overall Consensus: A darkly comedic romp with stellar performances and a zany plot.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Although filmed in 1941, the movie’s release was delayed until 1944, after the Broadway play had finished its run, due to a contract stipulation.”
• “Cary Grant reportedly considered this one of his worst performances, feeling he was miscast and overacted.”
• “Jean Adair and Josephine Hull, who played Aunts Martha and Abby, both reprised their roles from the original Broadway production.”

🖥️ How to Watch Arsenic and Old Lace?

Arsenic and Old Lace is available for purchase or rental on various platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Check local listings for possible broadcast options. While not typically available on subscription-based streaming services like Netflix or Hulu, this can vary by region and licensing agreements. Physical copies on DVD and Blu-ray are also widely available for purchase.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Arsenic and Old Lace, you might like these similar films:

• Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949): Darkly comedic story of a man systematically murdering his way to a dukedom, sharing the theme of murder played for laughs.
• The Trouble with Harry (1955): Alfred Hitchcock’s dark comedy about a group of people dealing with a dead body in a humorous and lighthearted way.
• Clue (1985): A comedic murder mystery with an ensemble cast and farcical situations.
• Serial Mom (1994): A black comedy about a seemingly normal suburban mother who commits increasingly outrageous murders.

🛒 Arsenic and Old Lace Related Products

• Arsenic and Old Lace [Blu-ray]: A high-definition Blu-ray of the classic film, offering improved picture and sound quality. Relive the madcap comedy in pristine condition. Includes special features, such as behind-the-scenes footage and interviews.
• Frank Capra: The Career of a Hollywood Legend: A biography exploring Frank Capra’s life and films, including *Arsenic and Old Lace*. Offers deep insights into his directing style and the cultural impact of his work.
• Cary Grant: A Celebration of Style: An illustrated tribute to the iconic actor. Features behind-the-scenes stories and a peek into his personal style.
• Arsenic and Old Lace: The Play Script: Read the original play script to better appreciate the text of this beloved comedy. A fascinating comparison to the film adaptation. Great collectible for theater lovers.

🎧 Soundtrack

Arsenic and Old Lace features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “There Is a Happy Land” – performed by Leonard P. Breedlove

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

7 deceased Arsenic and Old Lace actors (part 1)

Ever wondered what happened to the actors from Arsenic and Old Lace? This video takes a moment to remember some of the stars who are no longer with us. It’s a bit sad, but also a nice way to appreciate their talent!

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