Arsenic & Old Lace (1944) Movie Reaction | FIRST TIME WATCHING | Film Commentary * HILARIOUS! *
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 23 июл 2024
- Absolutely loved this one. It's cemented into my favourites now!
It also surprised me that this is a film set at Halloween!
Thank you for watching
TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Intro
0:46 Reaction
58:59 Review & Trivia
🎬 PATREON INFORMATION:
See my full-length reaction on Patreon, PLUS extra benefits! *
/ movieswithmarty
*Extra benefits include: Early Access to RUclips Videos, FULL Length versions of RUclips Videos, an MP3 version you can download to sync up and access to Polls for what I watch next. PLUS, you can REQUEST something for me to watch and get your name in the CREDITS!
🎬 Want to rent movies? I genuinely use Cinema Paradiso, so here's a referral link:
www.cinemaparadiso.co.uk/affi...
🎬 Letterboxd: letterboxd.com/MoviesWithMarty/
🎬 SUBSCRIBE for the newest videos: shorturl.at/aqwGO
Join our little community for some quirky reviews, Film & TV commentary & criticisms, along with some unique comedy references at times. You can watch along with me as I discover new favourites and revisit some old favourites.
Business Inquiries: movieswithmarty@hotmail.com
Copyright Disclaimer under Section 107 of the copyright act 1976, allowance is made for fair use for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favour of fair use.
#arsenicandoldlace #carygrant #peterlorre #priscillalane #halloween #frankcapra #richardmassey #BorisKarloff
#moviereactions #filmreactions #commentary #filmcommentary #moviecommentary #movieswithmarty #reactions #reviews #moviereviews #filmreviews 
Развлечения
Bless forever Peter Lorre, what he couldn't do? check out for instance "M, The Vampire of Dusseldorf", the role that immortalized him.
"Arsenic..." is probably one of the top 5 best comedies ever, no matter how many times you watch it it's just delightful
Just a couple of points for context. Brooklyn was a originally wealthy neighbourhood and was, at the time of the play, run down and decaying. Thus the Brewsters are among the last of the old families and a reminder of a time gone by. There was a time when Irish immigrants and their children had a practical monopoly on the police force of New York, thus explaining the Irish names and accents of every policeman in the movie. By the way, at the time of the making of this movie, Raymond Massey's brother Vincent was Canada's High Commissioner to London and, later, would become Canada's Governor General. Raymond usually played serious roles (The Scarlet Pimpernel, Abe Lincoln in Illinois, East of Eden, etc.) but was obviously adept at comedy.
Cary Grant was in quite a number of comedies. Other people have mentioned Philadelphia Story with Katherine Hepburn. Both that and its musical remake, High Society starring Bing Crosby and Grace Kelly, are superb. For more screwball comedies with Cary Grant, check out Bringing up Baby (also co-starring Katherine Hepburn), and His Girl Friday with Rosalind Russel.
Had to watch Bringing up Baby a few times but it grew on me!
One of the aunts played a similar role, to even better comedic effect, in the Jimmy Stewart movie, Harvey. Well worth a watch if you haven’t seen it. And if it’s screwball comedies from this era you like, my highest recommendation goes to His Girl Friday.
Jonathan's face WAS patterned after Boris Karloff because Karloff played the part in the broadwsy production. The line in the movie is a nod of recognition to Karloff, the originator.
The line was always there, in the play as well as the movie. It was an in-joke that Boris Karloff played a guy who looked like Boris Karloff. Unfortunately, he couldn't play the part in the movie precisely because he was busy playing the same part in the play. A pity.
OK, I have seen the video to its very end now, and Marty claims that most of the cast *except* Karloff played the same roles in the play and movie, and it was some contractual thing that prevented Karloff from doing it. But I stand by what I said, that the lines about Jonathan looking like Karloff was in the play as well.
@@Yngvarfo no you're right. It was an in joke to the play audience but worked for the recasting for the movie.
Great reaction. One of my favorite comedy movies.
At the time, Cary Grant was Hollywood's greatest farceur as well as being one of its finest serious actors. It is unusual to find a single moment a Cary Grant performance that isn't perfect.
I understand that Grant himself didn’t like his performance, thinking it was over the top. But he didn’t see it the way we the public do! His performance matched the material! It was the normal reaction to insanity! Should be criminal for someone that handsome to be that talented! But he was!
'The Philadelphia Story' (1940) with Cary Grant, Katherine Hepburn, Jimmy Stewart and Celeste Holm is also a very funny movie.
@sweetalice Celeste Holm was in the remake, High Society, in this film it is Ruth Hussey.
Of course! Thank you. Can't think how I mixed that up. I liked the original better in every respect, including Ruth Hussey.
And Jimmy Stewart won the Oscar for it
One of my favorites! 🤟🏻💕
Arsenic and Old Lace is one of the most delightful madcap comedies ever made. I was fortunate to appear in two community theater productions of the show, first as Officer O'Hara and then as Dr. Einstein, a role I would dearly love to reprise. So this movie has a special appeal for me. Glad to see your reaction to this wonderful slice of Americana.
You need watch Bringing up Baby (Cary Grant and Kathreen Hepburn). It's a screwball comedy
Just came to make the same comment, and to recommend My Favorite Wife (Cary Grant and Irene Dunne) and Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House (Cary Grant and Myrna Loy). 🙂
Note: Although this film was released in 1944 it was actually filmed in 1941. The reason was that it was a stage play on Broadway and, in order to produce the film, Warner Brothers agreed with the producers of the play to withhold release of the movie until the stage production had closed. However, what no one had any way to realize was that the play would become such a huge hit that it continued to run for the next three years.
Thanks Marty for a wonderful reaction to "Arsenic". I have seen it many times and it is always a treat. Yes please watch "His Girl Friday", another great Cary performance. And add to your list "M" with the amazing Peter Lorre and be sure to watch the original language version. Peter Lorre's last name is pronounced 'lore-y'. You look great in your suit, very apropos! BTW, I always thought you reminded me of someone-Robert Downey Jr. as "Chaplin" when his hair turned your color.
The movie is based on a play. The play was rebooted on Broadway in the 1980's. The Brewster Sister were played by Jean Stapleton (Edith Bunker in All in the Family) and Marion Ross (Mrs. Cunningham in Happy Days). Mortimer Brewster was played by Gary Sandy (WKRP). Jonathan Brewster was played by Jonathan Frid (Barnabas Collins in Dark Shadows) and Dr, Einstien was played by Larry Storch (Corporal Agarn in F Troop). I saw it on Broadway. I believe it is available on RUclips.
Saw this play in Philly! Was gifted front row center-ish tickets by the 'rents. What a cast! Chaaaaaarge!
Three things: 1. Your reactions never disappoint. 2. You look exactly like a young version of Rowan Atkinson. 3. Peter Lorre's surname is pronounced "lorry". Please keep doing what you're doing. Always delightful. Thank you.
One of the biggest laughs of the Broadway play was during the curtain calls. The director had 12 men come out of the cellar door to take a bow. They didn’t do curtain calls for the film so they left that out.
At the time of filming, the play was currently running on Broadway, and the production company was willing to free up the Broadway stage actors Jean Adair (as Martha Brewster), John Alexander (as Teddy Brewster) and Josephine Hull ( as Abby Brewster) to appear in the movie, but would not release their prized star Boris Karloff (as Jonathan Brewster) from his role on stage to appear in the movie. (They felt it would totally destroy their production, as he was the main draw to the Broadway play). Karloff is referenced numerous times in the movie, in very comical fashion. The actor in the movie was Raymond Massey.
great reaction!, 'Bringing up Baby' is another great Cary Grant screwball comedy you should watch.
Another wonderful Cary Grant comedy "FATHER GOOSE" was the next to the last movie Grant did. You would love it.
This was amazing. I'm definitely going to watch the full movie myself
You definitely should, it's a fantastic film! One of my favourites now. Thanks for watching man!
"His Girl Friday" is also Cary Grant at his hilarious best.
Loved your concern for Elaine’s character. Great reaction ! If you want to see more of Cary Grant I would recommend Notorious ( 1946). Some other good classics to check out would be Laura (1944), All About Eve ( 1950) and The Heiress (1949).
Been watching this movie for more than 50 years. My mom told me not to miss it when it was on a late night movie on tv. I have it on DVD.
There are very few movies that I remember seeing when I was a kid, but this is one I have always remembered because I laughed so hard at the sheer insanity of the story and the spectacular acting.
Great review. Thankyou 😊. Love this movie. Try 'The Raven' with Vincent Price and Peter Lorre. Also 'Kind Hearts and Coronets with Alec Guiness and Dennis Price. Sure you would enjoy them ☺.
Raymond Massey is a very accomplished actor. Played a very believable Lincoln.
Yeah, it seems so! I'll have to check him out as Lincoln. Thank you for watching
The Maltese Falcon is another great classic film that has Peter Lorre. M is fantastic but its a German language film with American subtitles and so harder to react to, although i would certainly watch that reaction. Keep up the great reactions!!❤❤
I think you would really like “Bringing Up Baby” Cary Grant has the same comedic chaotic energy.
Since Boris Karloff starred in the Broadway play as Jonathan, the line, "He said I looked like Boris Karloff," was the biggest, longest belly laugh ever.
Great reaction! I suggest a few of my favorite Frank Capra movies: It Happened One Night, Lady for a Day, Mr. Deeds Goes to Town and Mr. Smith Goes to Washington..
The script writing is about as good as it gets. And Frank Copra's use of light in the cinematography is just as good. One of my favorite movies of all time. We watch it every year at Halloween as a family tradition.
Cary Grant once said in an interview that this was his least favorite performance. He thought it was too over the top, and he hated it. But, Copra directed him to do that, even over his objections during filming.
In the Broadway play, Jonathan was played by Boris Karloff, so he is supposed to resemble Frankenstein's Monster.
Fun fact, the movie was shot in 1941, but had to wait until the play had finished its run on Broadway thus leading to a 1944 film release.
Since you're game for old movies (not everyone is), I'd like to suggest...
The Man Who Could Work Miracles
A fantasy film based on a story by H G Wells. There was a terrible remake starring Simon Pegg called Absolutely Anything.
Mr.Deeds Goes to Town
Charming comedy starring Gary Cooper. There was a terrible remake starring Adam Sandler called Mr.Deeds.
Harvey
A comedy starring Jimmy Stewart. There was an adequate remake on TV starring Harry Anderson.
A Face in the Crowd
Excellent thought provoking and still relevant drama starring Andy Griffith in a very different role from what we're use to seeing him in. Thankfully, they haven't remade it.
President Taft, who followed Teddy Roosevelt, was the heaviest president up to that point. The legend was that they had to get a special bathtub to fit him. Thus when they confuse the skinny guy from the rest home (Edward Everett Horton) for Taft, it was a joke that contemporary audiences caught. (Horton played many roles, but for many, he was the beloved voice of the "Fractured Fairy Tales" from the Rocky & Bullwinke cartoon show.)
The actresses & actor who played the aunt's and teddy ( Mr. President ) played these rolls for many years on the stage ( thats why they look so comfortable )
Johnathan was played by Raymond Massey. He was a well known actor mostly for dramatic roles but here he shows off his comic timing.
This is my absolute favorite movie ever. It came out 20 years before I was even born. I love Cary Grant's over-the-top acting. I'm so glad you seem to enjoy it as much as I do.
Raymond Massey was playing Jonathan. He was playing a criminal that looked like Boris Karloff who played Frankenstein's monster.
Thank you Gary! He did a stellar job with the role. Thanks for letting me know and for watching, I hope you're well and had a great new year
There is one line I miss from the play. "I'm not a Brewster, I'm a bastard!" But, of course, they would never get away with that in films at that point in time.
Great reaction! One of my favorite movies. Cary Grant didn't like his performance in this movie. He thought his comedy was overdone. The bugle and charge was Teddy Roosevelt charging up San Juan Hill. Boris Karloff played Frankenstein. Josephine Hull is hilarious is the movie Harvey!
not Borris, Borris was in the stage version. Which is why the jokes about him looking like Borris. I believe this is Raymond Massey.
I enjoyed your view/review of this classic comedy. You are the first reactor to notice the name of Dr. Einstein, who was quite famous at the time. I find that name to be one of the best running jokes in the film. Another Karloff trivia: Boris didn't speak in his first two films (Frankenstein/The Old Dark House) and a tag line for The Bride of Frankenstein advertising was "the monster speaks", leading to Johnathan's line. The movies M and Mad Love are Peter Lorre at his psychological/horror finest, Harvey is a wonderful fantasy/comedy, Duck Soup with the Marx Brothers and Some Like It Hot are also incredible comedies.
Back in his university days, my father played the Teddy role on stage.
I absolutely agree: Cary Grant's acting here is perfectly brilliant!
Screwball comedy: Carey Grant: 'Bringing Up Baby' 1938.
I agree Cary Grant’s over the top performance totally works for this picture. Good thing it wasn’t re-shot!
It’s understandable that the stage actor playing Mortimer probably played it smaller, but Grant’s manic energy and fourth wall breaks just enhance the overall wackiness of the film.
I’ve been watching this one since i was a kid, and it never gets old
What a delightful old film, Ive not seen in at least 25 years. I love your reviews, trivia, hope to see more films soon.
Yes, you must watch His Girl Friday! Cary and Rosalind Russell....rated the most rapid dialog move ever made, bearing even Bringing Up Baby, which you also must watch. The e is pronounced as a long e in Lorre, it is not silent.
You really should see M! With Lorre probably the best performance in any movie.
I second this. It's bloody brilliant.
Theres subtle joke that people miss if they dont know US history. When Teddy calls the doctor taft he seems offended and covers his belly. This is a reference to Taft being the most obese US President. It implies Teddy thought the Dr. Was fat
Thanks Marty for your excellent reaction to Arsenic and Old Lace. It's such an hilarious film with a wonderful cast headed by Cary Grant and the absolutely gorgeous Priscilla Lane. I love the set designs and cinematography that help to create a charming Old World ambience of the movie; and all topped off by Max Steiner's whimsical music score. Thanks again; keep the reactions coming to these priceless old movies!
The original play was bought by Boris Karloff, who played Johnathan for the first Broadway run.
This is one of the best films ever. First time I saw this was in grammar school. It's been a Halloween season MUST watch ever since.
The Irish who didn't settle in Boston went to New York City.
/on edit/ Another must see: Laura, a classy, classical film noir, also 1944.
Thanks so much for this...I haven't seen it in years and now I need to find the Criterion Blu Ray!
This movie was filmed in 1941 but they had to wait until the play finished its run, to release the movie. In the play, Jonathan was played by Boris Karloff and the joke is that they refer several times to him looking like himself. Unfortunately, Karloff couldnt do the movie. Raymond .Masey plays Jonathan.
Great film and wonderful preformances. One of my favorite Cary Grant comedies is 'Father Goose'. Hope you get a chance to view it.
I adored Cary Grant’s acting in this film. Maybe it seemed over the top at the time but it fit perfectly with the situations and style of the movie. Anything less and the urgency of the situation(s) wouldn’t be believable, imho.
Johnny has the face of Boris Karloff, a famous horror movie actor of the 1930s and ‘40s.
Lol, this is the first time I caught the "none of mine are gentlemen" line.
You sir, get full props for wearing a suit. Gary Grant was one of the best dressed men of the time. He was total class, and you are too!
As far as Cary Grant's acting goes, I always thought it was just right. A good comedy needs contrast. His going a little over the top balances everyone else's low-key performances. Mortimer is reacting to all the craziness, which the others see as normal behavior. He is the outsider looking in.
FYI, there is a similar “looks like Boris Karloff” gag in His Girl Friday. I don’t want to say the actor’s name, but you should catch it when they say it, if you’re aware ahead of time. Otherwise it’s super subtle and could slip right by.
Einstein is my favorite character here.
Fantastic choice Quilty! Thank you for watching!
I recommend Shop Around the Corner with James Stewart.
Raymond Massey plays Jonathan. He was made to look like the Boris Karlof Frakenstein character
Cary was being hard on himself. Over the top? Of course he was, this story is a farce - the entire play is over the top!
one of my favorites. great review. most of the cast revised their roles from the stage. except Boris Karloff who played Jonathan. Raymond Massey is Jonathan here. the reference to the face is also a poke at Frankenstein Monster character played by Karloff in the old RKO movies.
the line sun of a gun is a polite way of saying basted. which would not pass Hollywood code if used in the movie. Mortimer is also happy not to be a Bruster as a call back to his line "insanity gallops in his family" instead of run. referring to the old believe that insanity is hereditary. note every member of that family was engaged in murder and couture of some sort. even the father had a laboratory full of poisons.
Archibald Leech ( Cary Grant's real name ) was happy to play comedic roles. the studio wanted him only as a serious leading man. but his natural comedic talent made his films classics.
see more of Cary Grant is His Girl Friday (1940) and The Philadelphia Story (1941). and see a serious Raymond Massey in the classic Things To Come (1936).
as always a great review. no one breaks the forth wall like Cary Grant. and your mimics of his antics and utterances are praise to his comedic efforts.
wow this reaction brought back memories; i portrayed Witherspoon some years ago at a local playhouse which before the performances i watched this movie and learned of the several ad libs and used one of Horten's in my performance
that rendition of the play did not have any Halloween reference and it was performed around Christmas and they told me it was quite usual to perform it then but i did not think it had any x-mas reference either
This has been one of my favorite since I was a child. Cary Grant lampoons his own image in his last film "Walk Don't run" 1966.
You might like to see "A Thosand Clowns" starring Jason Robards. I would like to see your reaction to Tombstone with Curt Russell and Val Kilmer.
I saw the film when I was younger (I forget how old I was), and I’ve also seen the stage play done by a couple of community theater groups. It’s a difficult play to do well. Without split second timing among the actors, a lot of the jokes just don’t land.
Such a funny and entertaining film with wonderful acting. Glad you watched!
Try "I was a Male Warbride." I love it.
Marty, you look great in black and white!
My first time with this movie was in 7th grade English class. I'm not entirely sure what the reasoning was but it stuck with us kids and has us yelling CHARGE through campus.
Hello Marty, I am from Germany and love to watch movies with you LIKE THAT! You're truly "the exception" in "movie reacting". Real fun fact by the way: Some of your "impersonations" as well as some of the "funny faces" and "looks" you are doing surprisingly in some moments make me (surprisingly as well) LAUGHING OUT LOUD. Thank YOU for that!!
If you don't mind, I wish to seriously recommend the epic movie from 1958 "The Big Country" (starring Gregory Peck). I would love to watch it together with you on YT very, very much.
It's one of my all time favorites. Unfortunately there up to date is only ONE other reaction video concernig that wonderful movie. BUT: That one obviously was done in such a hurry, which should never have done to such an epic drama. Anyway, thank you in advance and KEEP the GOOD WORK going!! (Sorry for my english writing!). God bless you!
This is now my 2nd one of your videos and throughly enjoyed both, thanks
One of the funniest movies I watched when I was young.
Boris Karloff couldn't do the film because he was contractually obligated to play the part on Broadway -- which he did successfully for over two years while the film was in the can waiting for the Broadway run to end before the film could be released -- another contractual obligation.
I'm playing O'Hara on stage right now
Joe, dude, that's amazing! I'm sure you're nailing it perfectly. It's a brilliant part, so I hope it all goes well. Where abouts are you performing? Thanks for letting me know! Take care and thank you for watching. Keep up the amazing work!
@@MoviesWithMarty Butler PA at the Butler Little Theater. This weekend is sold out, but there are still tickets for Tuesday through Saturday!
@@MoviesWithMarty and thank you!
I've seen this several times. It's so much fun. I always thought Priscilla Lane looked like Ginger Rogers.
Dont forget Bringing up Baby.😂😂😂
Thanks for the reaction, this is a favorite of mine and there’s few reactions to it.
I’ve seen it numerous times and never paid attention to Einstein’s new shoes, if those are Spinalzo’s.
Grant had a point about his acting in this, but I love his take on it. He was never as intense as in this movie. Lol
He also donated his salary from this movie to the war effort. Cary Grant was just the coolest.
Josephine Hull is also in a movie with James Stewart that’s a classic and well worth watching: Harvey.
I watch this film every October. You should check out His Girl Friday, The Awful Truth, My Favorite Wife and Bachelor and the Bobby Soxer - fantastic Cary Grant comedies.
Laurinda! You've got spectacular taste. It's now my favourite classic film since watching this! Cary Grant is fantastic in this. The great news is, I've recently watched 'His Girl Friday' recently, which you can see as an uncut on both Patreon or RUclips Members. It'll eventually come to RUclips as an edit though.
I shall definitely add the rest to the suggestions list though, as I'd love to check them out. Especially as they're Cary Grant comedies!!
Thank you so much for both suggestions and for watching. I hope you're well and have a lovely day.
P.S. I meant to say, I've recently had the request for "The Philadelphia Story" (1940), another Cary Grant comedy alongside Katherine Hepburn again. They make a great duo!
hhha CONgrats on reviewing this classic, I have loved this film since before going to high school .Staying up late during the summer when cbs showed old classic films vs J Carson and i was just lucky to tune in AND laughed so much at this wild film and its still soo funny. As noted below it was filmed in 41 before the Bwday play had finished run. SO many crazy lines, especially after the fight, and MOrtimer has to think on his feet to get the police to get Teddy sent to the sanitarium
The second best film about serial killers "Eating Raul"....🍽️
A film of a popular stage play. It is hilarious "on.stage".
If you liked this movie, you will love Harvey staring James Stuart and Josephine Hull. I can’t wait to see your reaction to the storyline:)
One of my all time favorites. Love this film!
I've just stumbled across your channel and I'm impressed by your intelligent and sensitive review of this classic comedy-thriller. I also really appreciated the way you watched the film first with an open mind and then looked into the background afterwards. I agree with you about Grant's performance. It is a farce and he could not really have avoided over-acting a little. One small thing - Peter Lorre's name is pronounced 'Lorr-ey', not 'Lore'.
Boris Karloff was in the original stage play. When they went to shoot the film he was too busy during another horror film. So they got another actor that they could make look like Boris Karloff.
One of the best screwball comedies with Cary Grant is Bringing Up Baby (Baby is a leopard). I highly recommend it if you liked this one!
Bringing Up Baby is THE screwiest of the screwball comedy genre.
Fun reaction, Marty!
in the stage show-boris karloff played jonie.
If you like screwball comedy like AAOL I highly recommend bringing up baby. It is also with Cary Grant.
Monkey Business is another great Cary Grant film! Ginger Rodger’s _AND_ Marilyn Monroe! Also Charles Coburn! If you’ve never seen - you’ll ❤️ it!
Oh my god, thank you Laurie! I didn't realise there was a film with all of them, especially Cary Grant and Marilyn Monroe! I shall add that to the list now! I guarantee I'm going to love it with that cast. Thank you so much. Also, thank you for watching!
@@MoviesWithMarty 🎉YAY! i’m thrilled! So this absent minded professor type is a character like i never saw Mr Grant play & it’s actually very refreshing! Not that cool suave guy with all the answers! Okay sorry, just excited for you - seeing for the first time! Enjoy!
Raymond Massey also played Abraham Lincoln.
Of course, I may be crazy myself, but you remind me of a young Rowan Atkinson. The look, the mannerisms...all but the hair. There are a couple of other dark comedic films with Peter Lorre that I doubt you'll hear about otherwise so I'll mention them here. One is called "You'll Find Out" and it also stars Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi as well as Kay Kyser and his band. The other is another film co-starring Karloff called "The Boogieman Will Get You". As an aside, I also used to pronounce Lorre as Lore for many years until I figured out it was pronounced as Lor-Ay. And if you've read this far I'll stop by shouting, Chaaaaarge!
Just love the reaction ❤❤😂😂😂 well done 👍🏿
This is actor Raymond Massey, not Boris Karloff, but if you go on RUclips, you can watch several Boris Karloff films, including the original 1930s version of "Frankenstein"
I watch this every halloween.