Arsenic and Old Lace [DVD] [1944]

Great film

All as described, thank you

total funny classic one of the best

Maybe Capra's masterpiece, even better than other most famous titles that help build his reputation (A wonderful life, It happened one night, Mr smith goes to Washington). This is where Capra shows his dark side, always in a funny and brilliant way, but still portraying the world as a place full of crazy people and where even church-going grannies can hide a murderous attitude. It is all put in a comical way, in order to allow Capra to talk about evil without disturbing or betraying his audience. And by doing so, he proves great noir skills, always perfectly mixed with exageration and surreal touch, resulting in a genious film that constantly swing between parody and thriller. A supermodern film that is far ahead of its times. Waiting for the blu ray to exhalt the beauty of its B/W. It also includes the italian dubbin, that is fantastic, as all the foreign movies dubbed in the old times, with fantastic voices that give actors a density and range of colors even better than the original. One of those films that I even prefer dubbed (and this is of course not a criticism towards original acting, that is top)

If I was basing this on Cary Grant's performance alone, it would have been five stars. I loved the expressions on his face in this film - priceless! He had a rare, comedic talent and this movie definitely showed them off to the full. I loved the dotty aunts, too, and the wacky "President". I think it was the weird brother and his cohort that spoilt the film for me. It just didn't quite work, and the story did seem to drag on a bit. Having said that, I'm glad I watched it, and it did make me laugh in parts. It's certainly different and worthy of four stars.

I am in my 50's and although I love lots of modern films, I have quite a collection of pre 1950 films. Arsenic and old lace is one of my absolute favourite's. I have watched it time and time again and it never fails to make me laugh. My daughter, who is now 24, has also watched this with me and my husband on countless occasions, as she too finds it hilarious and encourages her friends to watch it too. I have seen a stage version but prefer the film. Really, I suppose it is like every other film; what one person will enjoy, another will hate. It is a farce and the premise of two dear old ladies, who appear to be pillars of society, but are in fact poisoning lonely men and burying them in the cellar, can't fail to make one laugh. It may not be one of Grant's best film's and yes, quite cliche in some respects, but it is good family humour which everyone can enjoy......... CHARGEEEEEEEEEEEEE.......

Ever since I saw this as a little girl in the 60's it has been one of my top ten favourite films, and one I like to watch every Hallowe'en. It probably helped that two of my elderly great-great-aunts looked exactly like and were as sweet as Mortimer's, though thankfully not homicidal. From the opening to the final scene it is a delight with not a word or performance out of place. To miss seeing this film is to deprive yourself of one of cinema's great comedies. Cary Grant is as suave as ever even when descending into despair at discovering his aunts' proclivities. Jack Carson as the hapless would-be playwrite policeman strikes just the right note of bemusement and the pairing of Raymond Massey and Peter Lorre as the two true villians of the piece was an inspired piece of casting. Bless Frank Capra for bringing this to us.

Perhaps it is just my perverse nature, but while Some Like It Hot is seemingly universally acclaimed as "the funniest film ever" I have to say I prefer Arsenic And Old Lace.Clearly derived from a stage play, but none the worse for it since the pace, script and performances never let you dwell on anything for too long.Probably more correctly described as a farce, the plot mixes and plays with fear and fun, managing to make the baddies both serious and silly, but always believable and never breaking the mood of the film.Cary Grant is the star at his comedy best (better than Bring Up Baby I'd say) but he is more than ably supported by Peter Lorre and Raymond Massey.This is like an old friend you only see from time to time, but are always instantly comfortable with and always enjoy each other's company.

This movie is about 80 years old. And I still find it really funny. Its interesting to see some of the major Hollywood stars when they were just starting out.

If you like old movies, this is one of the best. It is, however, an Area 2 dvd (the U.S. is Area 1), but it can be played on a portable dvd player. It cannot, however, be played on a dvd player that is connected to a computer or a television.

Ante todo, ojo, que se trata de una versión con audio sólo en INGLÉS y con la posibilidad de subtítulos en inglés o español.Obra maestra del cine de humor, con un argumento ciertamente original: Un crítico teatral (Cary Grant) que acaba de casarse decide visitar a sus ancianas tías antes de marcharse de luna de miel. Durante la visita descubrirá que las encantadoras viejecitas tienen una manera muy peculiar de practicar la caridad.Maravillosa dirección de Frank Cappra y una magnífica interpretación de Grant que, aunque algunos la tachen de sobreactuada, está perfecto en el papel de alguien a punto de volverse loco.Totalmente recomendable, para toda la familia.

Des acteurs formidables, un rythme soutenu. Vive le cinéma de nos grands-parents !

Due anziane sorelle (Josephine Hull che interpreta Zia Abby Brewster e Jean Adair Zia Martha )sembrano le persone più dolci e tranquille del mondo, ma in realtà sono due pazze che assassinano la gente in nome di un malissimo inteso senso umanitario. Un nipote savio (Mortimer Brewster interpretato da un sempre verde CarY Grant) scopre la faccenda e dopo molti guai riesce a farle rinchiudere in manicomio. Il savio scopre, per fortuna sua, di non avere legami di sangue con le assassine e scopre anche l'amore.Un film perfetto; una combinazione di umorismo, di interpretazione e di sceneggiatura che ne fanno un vero capolavoro della cinematografia.Film del 1944 diretto da Frank Capra e basato sull'omonima commedia di Joseph Kesselring. Il copione è stato adattato per il cinema da Julius J. Epstein e Philip G. Epstein.È stato inserito nella lista AFI's 100 Years... 100 Laughs, come uno dei migliori film della commedia statunitense.