Arsenic and Old Lace (1941, released 1944 Frank Capra)

Cary Grant and Priscilla Lane have also just wed in Capra's black comedy (one of the first?), based on a hit play by Joseph Kesselring and adapted by Julius J. and Philip G. Epstein. In fact this is why the film's release was delayed, as Warner Brothers were obliged to let the play complete its Broadway run first. (This reminds me of Jeanne Calment, who at the age of 90 sold her apartment to a 47 year old lawyer in return for a monthly sum, allowing her to live there until she died. She lived to 122, two years after the lawyer, having been paid twice the value of the apartment.)

It's surely Cary Grant's funniest and most energetic performance - as though he's been directed by Tex Avery. As for the aunts, Q says she wants to walk (how would you describe it - a sort of dainty skip?) like Josephine Hull and Jean Adair when she's older.

I always forget it's a Halloween film in which leaves are constantly falling and night draws in, giving Sol Polito fun with candles and low light scenes.

Raymond Massey (or is it Boris Karloff?) is genuinely scary as evil brother (great makeup of course by Perc Westmore). John Alexander brilliant as the 'President' (the line he delivers to Jack Carson, "Let that be a lesson to you", occurs in more than one Capra); also with Peter Lorre, Edward Everett Horton and Grant Mitchell.

"Let that be a lesson to you!"

It is still very very funny, e.g. Grant's ?ad lib to Lorre: "Stop underplaying"!

Great score by Max Steiner. Ed. Daniel Mandell.