Arsenic and Old Lace

1944 • 117 minutes
4.8
302 reviews
86%
Tomatometer
Eligible
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About this movie

Oscar-winner Cary Grant ("The Awful Truth," "Suspicion," "North by Northwest") stars as a drama critic whose life is turned upside down when he discovers that his two spinster aunts have taken to poisoning their gentlemen house guests and burying the bodies in their old Victorian home. A classic and hilarious black comedy based on the popular Broadway play. Directed and produced by Oscar-winner Frank Capra ("It's A Wonderful Life," "It Happened One Night," "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington"). Co-starring Oscar-winner Josephine Hull ("Harvey"). With Peter Lorre ("Casablanca," "M") and Oscar-nominee Raymond Massey ("East of Eden," TV's "Dr. Kildare") as two scheming murderers.

Ratings and reviews

4.8
302 reviews
Kathaleen McGhee
March 24, 2016
Murder, suspense, drama, crazies and espionage wrapped around a love story. Only in Brooklyn can you have such fun in a movie. Watch it with hot chocolate and warm fuzzy slippers to not miss a moment of this comedy.
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A Google user
March 12, 2019
Hilariously funny! Movie with Cary Grant as lead. Cary played lead,before- in "Arsenic & Old Lace" for a long run on Broadway. One must have a sense of humor, & a touch for ridiculous humor helps. Cary plays a man who finds himself in quite strange situations, at home, when he is trying to get married & go on his honeymoon to Niagara Falls. Somehow he manages all the chaos & unusual occurrences in his own house. Not for everyone, maybe; but, for me it's one of my favorite Cary Grant films.
12 people found this review helpful
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Terri Cook
April 13, 2015
They don't make movies like that anymore. Nor do they make men like Cary grant. This movie makes me laugh every time I see it.
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