ARSENIC & OLD LACE: How Does the Movie Compare?

By David Garnes, Dramaturge

As we prepare for the opening of our 2022 season with “Arsenic and Old Lace,” we’re aware that many of our members and friends may be more familiar with the classic film version than the play. So here are a few facts:

In 1944, iconic director Frank Capra’s version of the hit play “Arsenic and Old Lace” opened in theaters to rave reviews and boffo box office receipts (it was the 6th most popular film that year and was nominated for several Oscars). The cast included Cary Grant, Raymond Massie, Peter Lorre, Priscilla Lane, Jack Carson, Josephine Hull, and Jean Adair.

The movie had actually been filmed in 1942, but a contact stipulated that it could not be released until the play ended on Broadway (a surprisingly huge hit, the original play ran for over 1600 performances)

Except for a very few changes, the film script adheres closely to that of the play. There are, however, two significant differences in direction and execution:

The movie expands the setting beyond the Brewster living room, with an opening scene of a baseball melee at Ebbets Field, followed by a brief scene at the city marriage bureau. Later, the Brewster house is viewed from the exterior, and there are scenes in the basement as well as a nearby cemetery.

Secondly, the film assumes a Capra-esque screwball comedy pace, much like his “It Happened One Night” and, especially, “You Can’t Take It with You.” Also, in order to get as much plot and dialogue into a 90-minute film (remember, these were the days of the movie double feature), the action had to be heightened and condensed. Fortunately, the exaggerated nature of the bizarre events that occur lends itself to the at times frantic pacing.

A final note: Both Bob Hope and Jack Benny were first considered for the lead but were unavailable. Cary Grant, it was said, was not happy with his performance, but that could have been the result of Capra’s less than subtle directing style.