Arsenic & Old Lace * FIRST TIME WATCHING * reaction & commentary

[@greygorthegoateedgeek5350]

As it said, its based on a very successful play, and in the stage version the brother was played by Boris Karloff (Frankenstein's Monster) in the film he was played by the great Raymond Massey when Karloff couldn't do the film. Hence the running gag in the film. The two aunts played by Josephine Hull & Jean Adair were also in the play, but got permission to be excused for the filming. Karloff was a major investor in the play and couldn't take the time off to do the film.

[@jamesmoyner7499]

Thank you! I hope Ashleigh sees your comment and it all becomes clear for her.

[@awkwardashleigh]

OH wow!! that is amazing. Thank you for explaining!

[@bluebird3281]

@@awkwardashleigh Josephine Hull won an Oscar for her role in "Harvey"(1950) with Jimmy Stewart. You should consider putting in on a vote list. I think you would like it.

[@johncampbell756]

​@Ashleigh Burton When you saw him, you called him Frankenstein. And Peter Lorre Igor, though the character of Igor (named Fritz in the Karloff version) was a very similar actor. Lorre was in Casablanca.

[@edwardmorton5131]

@@bluebird3281 I watch Harvey every few years it's the only movie that makes me want to be a better person

[@p2va73xc6j3]

"Insanity runs in my family... it practically gallops." Still one of my favorite movie lines ever.

[@johnhawk1089]

Diarrhea runs in our family, haha

[@PJ818]

"I'm the son of a sea cook!"

[@Hazmonk]

I was going to say the same thing 😂

[@richin2123]

I use that line a lot!

[@Theomite]

Fun fact: the script was partially rewritten by The Epstein Bros....who wrote CASABLANCA after this (movie was shot in '41 but not released until '44). No wonder some of the lines are so good.

[@floppsymoppsy5969]

I was raised on old black and whites. When I played theater in highschool we were given this script and I just squealed "Arsenic and Old Lace! I love this!" Mr. Campbell just stared at me and said "you are an old soul aren't you"

[@ThrashNeon]

Ashleigh: "Who is this man? Frankenstein?" Seconds later: "..said I look like Boris Karloff" Also Ashleigh: "I don't know who that is." 😂

[@james.b.mcgill]

If Ashleigh ends up seeing this: it's funny because Boris Karloff is the actor who played Frankenstein's monster in the classic film. (Thanks for the correction 😀)

[@richardb6260]

​@@james.b.mcgill Karloff played Frankenstein's monster. Colin Clive played Frankenstein.

[@davidoburcham9381]

@@james.b.mcgill Can you imagine how much funnier the Boris Karloff jokes were in the original stage play... Because Karloff actually PLAYED Jonathan! 😂😂😂

[@long-timesci-fienthusiast9626]

@@davidoburcham9381 According to Google that is why he was not in the film, the play`s producers did not want to lose him, in case it affected their box office.

[@rezalustig6773]

Believe it or not, Bela Lugosi also played Jonathan on stage, with the running joke adapted accordingly.

[@AsmrAmurana]

"Insanity runs in my family. It practically gallops!" is just the best line in the whole damn movie. This is SUCH an endearing, chaotic dark comedy it's got a beloved place in my heart.

[@hilarywilliams1909]

Go back 10 more years to 1934's The Thin Man. A comedy/mystery you won't be sorry you watched. It stars William Powell and Myrna Loy as Nick and Nora Charles, one of the best (cutest and funniest) couples in movies.

[@l00d3r]

And let's not forget Asta!

[@salvationsplace]

omg those movies are so good.

[@Forever-my4wp]

There is a whole series - the second one has a very young Jimmy Stewart.

[@scottyyz]

Sooo good.

[@Diamond_Skies]

I LOVE these movies, especially the scenes where Nick & Nora are drinking (which is most scenes, LOL). 🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸

[@torontomame]

"I got goosebumps all over. I can feel my leg hair growing back." 🤣😂🤣😂

[@RetroClassic66]

I’ve noticed over the years that you’ve been doing movie reactions, Ashleigh, that older classic films, such as this and others that you’ve done, are films that you really respond to well and end up liking immensely, and as someone who has a deep love for classic movies, I have to say that it’s a genuine joy to witness! There are so many great older films, both in black & white and color, that are largely ignored by younger audiences, sometimes because of how they were made, sometimes just because of their age, sometimes because they’re unfamiliar with the actors involved, or for other often flimsy reasons, and it’s a great shame, because so many classic films are actually extremely entertaining and well made! We just need to be open minded enough to give them a chance. Some of them, like this one, are an absolute hoot!

[@Eidlones]

It's sad, but there are some people that won't watch movies made before 2000. I simply don't understand. Quality is quality.

[@Beardo2517]

I'd love her to watch the 54 Godzilla but Idk what she'd think

[@GarthKlein]

Art has no age. Perhaps people don't go to Art Museums because the paintings are all old. Perhaps they avoid listening to Operas because Mozart and Verdi lived so long ago. If you only watch current movies, you miss out on 90% of the enjoyment you could be having.

[@yaimavol]

Cary Grant is brilliant in this. His facial expressions carry the comedy. Peter Lorre created such an iconic creepy bad guy. The stereotype has been reproduced in many other movies like Raiders Of The Lost Ark.

[@LordGrokken]

Cary Grant is highly underrated for his physical comedy skills. And his timing for comedy is among the best.

[@auapplemac2441]

In his youth, he was an acrobat. I think he came to the USA from England as part of a troop of acrobats.

[@hulkhatepunybanner]

*Underrated... (overrated word). That just means you've not seen much of Carey Grant.* He's practically jumping around in all his movies.

[@LordGrokken]

@@hulkhatepunybanner no, I've seen most of them but I rarely hear modern critics and reviewers talk about it. Hence, underrated.

[@Rmlohner]

Frank Capra typically did sweet, sentimental movies, so I have no idea what drew him to a over the top and pitch-black comedy like this, but I'm so glad it happened because the result is fantastic.

[@dan_hitchman007]

Capra probably wanted to break out of his wheelhouse.

[@MrRondonmon]

My Fav. Capra flick is "Mr. Deeds Goes to Town" and it kind of hits both the sentimental, and the comedy genres. Not as dark per se, but he was very sad in the movie for a bit. Capra was a brilliant movie maker.

[@FRACTUREDVISIONmusic]

This story is Farce - a somewhat lost category to modern audiences. It's a category where the characters and concept is purposely obtuse and outrageous. This is when life was much harder and audiences of stage and screen were served experiences that took their mind off things. Farces generally work best on stage, though it works here fantastically with Capra at the helm. Carry Grant really let go on this one too, romantic lead man turns comedy actor - who knew?

[@thrakkorzog75002]

Umm, have you seen other Capra movies? They're actually fairly dark. It's A Wonderful Life is about a father contemplating suicide around Christmas, who doesn't kill himself due to literally angelic intervention. That's probably the most family friendly movie.

[@MrRondonmon]

@@thrakkorzog75002 Yea, only Its a Wonderful Life, and that was AFTER the War, no ne wanted to see those Happy go Lucky movies anymore at that time, man y men came home wounded, to wives no longer faithful etc. etc. But early on Capra was all Comedy or Sappy. That is OK by me, but they weren't Dark before WW2.

[@mattsmith7490]

Wow, I'm so proud of you peanut. Someone your age just knowing Frank Capra made movies is impressive, but being able to list 4 from memory is next level.

[@weirdbeard2244]

On broadway, Jonathan was played by Boris “Frankenstein” Karloff. He wanted to play in the film, too, but couldn’t for contractual reasons. The play also ends with the the aunts alone with the asylum director, finding out he’s a widower and dropping the curtain *just* before he end up drinking the wine. Some curtain calls apparently also feature everyone coming up from Panama and taking a bow.

[@YouLousyKids]

Weirdbeard2244 beat me to everything I was going to say! It's weird that they left in the Frankenstein references when he's not played by the Frankenstein actor. It's an inside joke that lacks what prompted it. And I far prefer the ending to the play where they find out the director is all alone. It probably wasn't permitted under the codes where criminals weren't allowed to get away with crime, which is what it would be implying by such an ending.

[@Rmlohner]

The really funny thing is that while Raymond Massey indeed bore a resemblance to Karloff that's further helped with makeup, his screen persona was very different, being best known for playing Abraham Lincoln in several films and plays.

[@snootches]

I played Jonathan in a production of it and we came up from Panama at the end.

[@notlobparrot3057]

@@snootches I've been in two productions of it, and we only came up from Panama in one of them :(

[@shawnmiller4781]

That’s why they put the “looks like Karloff” jokes in the film

[@allwrappedup2476]

We did this play in high school…in black and white. The whole stage and costumes/makeup were in shades of gray

[@cbobwhite5768]

Officer was using a "Police Call Box". They were phones that rang directly to the police station. They were kept locked and every officer had a key.

[@thecraigster8888]

Yes, this was back when most cops walked a beat and there was no radio communication. The beat cop would check in whenever he passed a box.

[@Xeromm]

If you're lucky, they're bigger on the inside. 😏

[@TheBTG88]

@@Xeromm Police call box and a phone booth are two different things #Tardis

[@ronbo11]

@@TheBTG88 The TARDIS is a UK police call box, not a phone booth. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Police_box

[@TheBTG88]

@@ronbo11 A US Police call box is not a UK police call box.

[@ukebec1178]

I'm so happy that you loved this movie! And since you liked It Happened One Night as well, you're almost guaranteed to love The Philadelphia Story, Bringing Up Baby, Harvey and His Girl Friday. Looking forward to Some Like it Hot too. ❤

[@Diamond_Skies]

She _needs_ to see The Philadelphia Story!

[@anonygent]

Philadelphia Story is awesome, if only for the little girl singing "Lydia".

[@szb2]

I love His Girl Friday too. Cary Grant was a great actor, and wonderful in comedies.

[@stevebills5716]

100% agreeing, especially Harvey (my all time favourite film) and Bringing Up Baby.

[@ThreadBomb]

The Philadelphia Story was remade as High Society, starring Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra and Grace Kelly, and arguably it's even better than the original. It's in beautiful technicolor, has great songs, and a fun supporting role for Louis Armstrong.

[@YouLousyKids]

Dr. Einstein is played by Peter Lorre, who you'd remember from "Casablanca." He's famous for the dark eyes and his creepy mannerisms, which have been parodied endlessly in everything from Looney Tunes to the way Ren talks on Ren & Stimpy. You've undoubtedly heard his voice or someone imitating him. (That's why you think it's Igor!) He became famous in the brilliant movie "M", where he's a child-murder being chased by all the other criminals in Berlin because the criminals want the cops to stop cracking down. (Worth seeing but I'd say you're maybe six years from getting that on your schedule.)

[@oaf-77]

Maltese Falcon, My Favorite Brunette, 20000 Leagues Under the Sea, Beast With Five Fingers

[@Widdershins.]

I suggested a while back that she should watch "M," but I think she needs to get some more old movies under her belt before she's ready to tackle silent films. But when she, is that's where she should start. It's encouraging to see that she's liked/loved all the b/w films she's seen so far!

[@ronbo11]

@@Widdershins. "M" is not a silent film. It's a very early sound one so there is not a constant musical soundtrack undergirding the action. There is dialog and remember those times he whistled "In the Hall of the Mountain King" as he stalked victims? However, it is in German, so subtitles will be needed unless she's fluent in Hoch Deutsche.

[@kathyastrom1315]

@@ronbo11 Lorre’s delivery of “Ich musse!!” is just burned into my brain. I don’t know German, so I am grateful for the captions, but at times they are not really necessary to understand what he is saying in that iconic speech.

[@salvationsplace]

Peter Lorre was one of the most underrated of all time. Man was brilliant

[@donwild50]

I know at least 100 people have probably said this, but if you look close at the headstones, you will see one with the name Archibald Leach. That's Cary Grant's real name.

[@robertstuart480]

Boris Karloff is a horror legend. He played "Frankenstein" in the 1931 film, and he was in numerous other classics as well.

[@macmcleod1188]

He also had a great TV show based on a series of books, "Colonel March". Great fun.

[@Pokyhawk]

He also played the title roll in "The Mummy" [1932]. He and Bela Lugosi are practically synonymous with Universal classic horror.

[@ThreadBomb]

Karloff and Bela Lugosi appeared in eight movies together, and the best is their first collaboration, *The Black Cat.* It's still a very striking movie, both visually and in the horrific implications of the story (the things the movie suggests but can't show). Their last movie together was *The Body Snatcher,* another fine film, but the small size of Lugosi's role shows how their fortunes had differed in the intervening years. If you're going to watch The Black Cat, try to find the recent restored version put out by Universal. Most other available versions look and sound pretty awful.

[@asterix7842]

He played Frankenstein's monster.

[@Rickhorse1]

Cary Grant said that he thought his acting was a bit too "over the top" in this film, yet most people (me too) thought he was great. My favorite Grant moment is the scene where he & Jonathan both sit down on the window seat. In this film which has so much dialog, they say NOTHING. Cary Grant's facial expressions say everything. First he realizes where the "new" body came from, then happily get up to allow Jonathan to be the guilty one. All with just his changing facial expressions. Brilliant.

[@grandmoffwilhufftarkin4109]

ONE OF MY ALL TIME FAVORITES!!! So glad you reacted to this classic! This was one my grandmother and my favorite movies to watch together.

[@rring44]

I used to watch it with my grandmother too. Kinda miss her now.

[@mortimerbrewster3671]

One of my favorites too!

[@ThreadBomb]

I'm glad you enjoy this movie with your grandmother, but please don't drink the wine.

[@happymethehappyone8300]

My Mother Loved Classic Movies..She Encouraged Us Kids To Watch Them As Well & I'm So Glad She Did..This Movie Was One Of Them..R.I.P. Mom..Love & Miss You.🙏❤️

[@atnightmostly]

My family watches this every Halloween season, such a classic! Ps Cary Grant can GET IT. You’ve gotta see Bringing Up Baby with Katherine Hepburn if you’re doing a Cary Grant deep dive. Must see.

[@Widdershins.]

Personally I prefer "Philadelphia Story" (and it also has James Stewart!) but she'd love either/both.

[@oaf-77]

Also Charade, Father Goose, North by Northwest

[@troutmomma]

To Catch a Thief is great too

[@christinegelabert1651]

ALSO My Favorite Wife 💖

[@NormaWills]

Bringing Up Baby is one of my favorites with him in it!

[@richardbalducci4490]

Raymond Massey’s character, in the original Broadway production of “Arsenic & Old Lace” was portrayed by Boris Karloff; the line “He told me I looked like Boris Karloff” always got the biggest audience laugh, and “brought the house down” and “stopped the show” during every performance of the stage play. Boris Karloff gave the greatest film performance of the 20th century in the 1931 movie “Frankenstein”. 💜🍸

[@johnnybmean74]

Why overstate things?

[@richardbalducci4490]

@@johnnybmean74 Forrest J Ackerman would highly disagree with your presupposition.

[@johnnybmean74]

@@richardbalducci4490 James Agee would completely concur with me.

[@eugeneoman]

Massey also expertly portrayed Abraham Lincoln in "Abe Lincoln in Illinois" (1940)

[@YouLousyKids]

33:29 When he says "We never take sane people at Happydale" you can really tell that that actor, Edward Everett Horton, is the narrator of Fractured Fairy Tales. It sounds like a joke from the show!

[@midnightlupus1262]

Glad to see you enjoyed this film! My brother and I grew up watching this every Halloween. If you like this comedy, try The Court Jester!

[@vapoet]

The vessel with the pestle is the the vessel with the poison.

[@long-timesci-fienthusiast9626]

@@vapoet The Chalice from the Palace has the brew that is true !! :)

[@long-timesci-fienthusiast9626]

Danny Kaye has some great comedy films like this one, his performance in White Xmas gives you an idea of his fun comedy.

[@Concetta20]

“Get it? Got it. Good.”

[@JuliesWorldCrochet]

One of my favorites in the old classics. I hope the member who chose this also loves Operation Petticoat, too. You just can't recreate the feeling and mood from some of these old movies, so wonderful!

[@shawnmiller4781]

I see operation Petticoat and raise her “Father Goose” as another great Cary Grant comedy

[@troutmomma]

Operation Petticoat is one of my all time favorite movies! It would be great for her to watch after Some Like It Hot with the Tony Curtis connection!!

[@donaldball3245]

@@troutmomma Ashleigh already had a Jamie Lee Curtis thing going on. Just WAIT until she meets Jamie Lee's father, Tony...

[@JuliesWorldCrochet]

@@donaldball3245 Right!? And OP is in color so you get the full effect of his blue eyes

[@JuliesWorldCrochet]

@@troutmomma She'll find out about Tony/Jamie Lee after Some Like It Hot, so hopefully that'll excite things for Operation Petticoat. I've seen it so many times, I love it.

[@najhoant]

This is easily one of Cary Grant's best movies; it's incredibly funny and he is so expressive and energetic every time he's on camera

[@ebaker1968]

Since you enjoyed this one, I'd recommend checking out Harvey. Josephine Hull is also in that movie, and Jimmy Stewart is in it as well.

[@badplay156]

Can't forget Jesse White, the lonely Maytag repairman.

[@jamescronan7220]

Yes!! Josephine Hull won a Best Supporting Actor award for her role as Stewart's frantic sister in "Harvey" (1950) the story of a pooka, a benign but mischievous creature.

[@stephenridolfi6464]

Harvey!!!

[@finnmccool2851]

Yes!! Love Harvey!🐰🐇

[@StormyPeak]

I'm 59, first saw this movie when I was around 6 years old. Our local t.v. station would play every Halloween for the 'late night movie' at 10:30pm after the local news. Over the years, I've seen it almost every Halloween. Our local high school, also put on a play for it back around 1980... I graduated in 1982. So I got to watch some of my good friends in the play. I wanted to join the drama club just for that play, but couldn't do it, due to my home life at the time - my parents had divorced when I was 13, and I stayed with my dad, and being that I was a girl... I ended up being the house maid for my dad, my older brother and usually one to two of my brother's friends who lived there. Almost every minute of my time after school was me doing the shopping, cooking, and cleaning. Still, I found the time to go see that play...enjoyed every minute of it. : )

[@rhwinner]

The old timey accent you hear is called Mid Atlantic. It was the posh upper crust accent of the time, disappeared after wwii....

[@viennasyas9050]

It’s a tradition in my family to watch this every Halloween, it’s just so brilliant. Thank you for the reaction!

[@sadfaery]

First Arsenic and Old Lace and then next week Some Like it Hot?!? It feels like Christmas in May. I look forward to your reaction to Some Like it Hot. These classic films are classics for a reason.

[@alyxgriffen5073]

Teddy Brewster always yelled "Chaaaarrrrge!" while running up the stairs because, since he thought he was Teddy Roosevelt, he was reenacting Roosevelt leading his Rough Riders in the famous "Charge Up San Juan Hill" in the 1898 Battle of San Juan Hill.

[@gorramgomer]

"You look like Boris Karloff" is one the the greatest cinematic in-jokes of all time, since the actor that played Jonathon in the stage production, IS Boris Karloff. [fixed]

[@dalegarraway9865]

Not in the movie. Here it is Raymond Massey. In the Play it is Boris Karloff (aka Frankenstein), but because of contractural issues he couldn't get the time off for the movie.

[@jsharp3165]

It's Raymond Massey made up to look like Karloff. Karloff played Jonathan on Broadway.

[@gorramgomer]

@@dalegarraway9865 You're right, I butchered that post.

[@gorramgomer]

@@dalegarraway9865 You're right, I butchered that post.

[@donaldjohnson1148]

I love this movie. My 7th grade English teacher brought this in one day for the class to watch while she graded papers. We all immediately complained at first because it was an old black and white film but by the end of the period the entire class was dying from laughter. The teacher in the class next door had to come over and ask the class to be quiet a couple times.

[@Tim753100]

I would love to see Ashleigh watch The Thin Man! I think she would love it.

[@jaydoubleyew]

I've been saying this! Ashleigh, watch 1934's The Thin Man!

[@jo6436]

Yesssssss

[@Len0Grady]

THIN MAN! THIN MAN! THIN MAN! THIN MAN!

[@mack7882]

Yes, a great movie - some of the best chemistry ever on screen between Loy and Powell.

[@Stovokor78]

This is a brilliant movie! I first saw it as a teenager in the 90s, and i was laughing and crying so hard i actually injured my ribs, and had to go to hospital! 😂 I also got the honour of seeing this in an old theatre in my town for the 50 year anniversary with a surviving cast member and they told some great stories about Cary Grant on set. This is still in my top 5 comedies of all time, even after 30 years! Glad you loved it as much as you did Ashleigh! ❤

[@thelma48]

I loved watching these classic movies with my mom one of my favorites with her also one of my favorites is the Thin Man series of movies with William Powell and Myrna Loy

[@brettv5967]

Exactly my thought. She really needs to see the first Thin Man.

[@sweisbrod6109]

Early in the movie the cop is talking on a "call in" box. It was a closed phone system for police only. Boris Karloff was a famous actor. His most famous role was as Frankenstein. The Doctor was played by Peter Lorre. He was in Casablanca.

[@RichardFay]

Cary Grant excelled at playing the sane man trying to cope with an insane situation. "Bringing Up Baby" is another example and you should definitely check it out.

[@stephanienewell7545]

Love this one too!

[@ronbo11]

Couldn't agree more. Cary Grant + Katherine Hepburn = 100% entertainment. They're also wonderful together in "The Philadelphia Story" (with Jimmy Stewart playing a big supporting role in that).

[@littletee3649]

Yes, I agree 100%. I would love her reacting to "Bringing Up Baby." A classic screwball comedy with cats, and a dog. (Plus, Cary Grant in glasses is a pure win.)

[@kp22kc]

Actually it's even older than 1944....it was filmed in 1941 and held for release until the play closed. This is a movie that I used to set the alarm for to get up and watch late late at night. Cary Grant hated his own performance in this movie, but I think he is perfect with the double and triple takes. Still my favorite Cary Grant movie, although it's hard to find a movie that he starred in that isn't good. A few of his others that are well worth watching are His Girl Friday, The Awful Truth, My Favorite Wife and his Hitchcock movies and of course Charade. So glad you enjoyed this so much and I laughed so hard when you jumped and screamed when Jonathan opens the curtains. I've seen a couple of reactions where the people were stone faced and not laughing at anything...ridiculous! This movie never gets old.

[@maximillianosaben]

What a fun romp. Gotta love Cary Grant.

[@sandralorenz1796]

"Cheaters" Sunglasses. Cary Grant movies are great fun. The first man died of a heart attack. They poisoned the others because they were alone in the world and lonely. Boris Karlof played Frankenstein in one of the earlier versions of that story.

[@bnope7963]

Not Ashliegh trying to process the aunties EXACTLY like Mortimer 🤣🤣🤣

[@pasteye1671]

"I felt my leg-hair growing back". Perhaps a common Southern saying, but over here in Britain...priceless! Thanks Ashleigh - you never fail. The "good actor" you asked about was Raymond Massey, star of various roles (see Things to come and Dr Kildare to see his range) and father of Daniel and Anna, both esteemed actors. The shorter man is Peter Lorre (see Casablanca and The Maltese Falcon, amongst others for more of him).

[@shainewhite2781]

Love this movie! Its hilarious that Cary Grant tries to not lose his sanity, where nothing goes according to plan.

[@rextside]

I knew you'd love this, hopefully your platform brings this classic to even more young people.

[@maximumhamster]

I am so glad you are finally watching this! I have always loved this and it is one of the few "black and white" movies I regularly recommend to other people.

[@katwebbxo]

Same here. People are always hesitant because it's black and white then they end up loving it too. 😅

[@rexwilliams7643]

One of the few? There are so many classic black and white movies that are absolutely brilliant.

[@melissacaddell2604]

Cary Grant should have gotten an Oscar for facial expressions alone. He is so great. I love this movie.

[@Jenboree]

His Girl Friday should be on one of the polls. It's excellent!!

[@nightfall902]

His Girl Friday is totally dependent on the wit and pacing of the dialog. There is no way to do it justice on this channel. However, the complete movie is reacted to at Pandora Plays. I won't post the link. Also, as mentioned, it is complete, there are no breaks for quips and questions and the dialog is not talked over .

[@scottyyz]

Yes!

[@grizzlynad]

Love this film. I played Teddy in an am/dram years ago. It was terrifying charging up the stairs to play the bugle. Not only wasn't I a great bugle player, but behind the door at the top of the stairs was a only a bit of scaffolding & then a dead fall... lol

[@davidpumpkinsjr.5108]

If you want to see an enjoyable Cary Grant comedy, check out "Father Goose" (1963-ish). Grant plays a drunken slob who is coerced into serving as a coast watcher during WWII, but soon finds his "idyllic" island paradise invaded by a passel of schoolgirls and their snooty French matron.

[@Soveliss74]

I remember seeing this play while in school. It was fun. And I can see the old ladies logic. They're lonely men, no one to miss them. They give them a nice funeral and someone to miss them. And instead of dying in the streets, they die in a warm house

[@gypsygirl3255]

I cracked up when you said Frankenstein and Igor, because they were Frankenstein and Igor. Boris Karloff and Peter Lorre

[@Shanyetta23]

My high school put this on and it was so fun to watch on stage. It’s such a classic film. Loved your reaction!❤

[@InfraMajin]

Boris Karloff was a star of classic Hollywood films, specializing in sinister roles, most notably as monsters ("Frankenstein" (1931), "The Mummy" (1932)), killers, mad scientists and other assorted creepy villains in horror films, thrillers and a few comedies (including "Abbott & Costello Meet the Killer, Boris Karloff" (1949)). He was a guest on many TV shows, as well, including hosting an anthology series of crime and horror tales, "Thriller" (1960-62), where he was the on-screen host (as Rod Serling did on "The Twilight Zone" (1959-64) and Alfred Hitchcock on "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" (1955-65)) and starred in several episodes, as well. Even if you've never watched any of his old movies, you have at least heard Karloff's voice as the narrator and voice of 'The Grinch' in the classic Christmas cartoon special, "Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas" (1966). The voice singing "The Monster Mash" (by Bobby "Boris" Pickett") and playing 'Frankenberry' in the cereal commercials are spot-on impressions of Boris Karloff's famous voice. Karloff originally played the creepy Jonathan in the original stage version of "Arsenic and Old Lace" but scheduling and contractual problems prevented him from playing the role in the movie. The line, "You look like Boris Karloff!", was a meta joke in the play, because it was Karloff playing him on stage, but loses a bit of impact in the movie, since they had to re-cast it with Raymond Massey playing the part (which he did well). Raymond Massey was a well-respected actor of the time, best known for playing Abraham Lincoln, who he resembled. Another great film with Massey in it is "A Matter of Life and Death" (1946), a love story/fantasy (in sort of the same vein as "Heaven Can Wait" (1978), "Somewhere in Time" (1980) and "What Dreams May Come" (1998)), starring David Niven and Kim Hunter (who later played ape scientist "Zira", who helps Charlton Heston, in "The Planet of the Apes" (1968) and co-starred in the next two sequels). If you liked the whole crazy/dark comedy vibe of "Arsenic & Old Lace", and want to watch another film along those lines, I would recommend the great, but lesser known, "Murder, He Says" (1945), starring Fred MacMurray. It's like a cross between this film and "The Addams Family", except with murderous hillbillies.

[@ajivins1]

A Matter of Life and Death! Yes!

[@Thor_Odinson]

And lest we forget....the voice of the Grinch in the 60's original

[@paulpeterson4216]

At the end of the play, all of the "corpses" in the basement come up on stage and take a bow. My dad had that role in a local production of the play. It certainly was a great way to get a bunch of families into the seats.

[@markmyers6472]

I am so glad you enjoyed this... AND are open to watching movies from the GOLDEN YEARS of Hollywood.... there are so many great movies; musicals, dramas, comedies that came from those years.....

[@BarnDoorProductions]

Mortimer's line at the end "I'm not a Brewster; I'm the son of a sea cook!" was cleaned up from the play, so it could meet the Hayes Code. The actual line is "I'm not a Brewster; I'm a bastard!"

[@GSpot1966]

As I tell my kids..."It's not an 'old' movie if you've never seen it before."

[@panowa8319]

Fun Fact: Cary Grant's real name is Archibald "Archie" Leach, a name that was used by John Cleese's character in " A Fish Called Wanda", with Jamie Lee Curtis. Also, check out Cary Grant in Alfred Hitchcock's "North by Northwest" (1959).

[@joegoss30]

I've been watching "Fractured Fairy Tales" on KZbin lately (from the Rocky & Bullwinkle cartoons). It's hilarious to hear Edward Everett Horton's unique voice coming from his face. He played Mr. Witherspoon.

[@gypsygirl3255]

I didn't think anyone else would remember those cartoons. Sherman and Mr. Peabody.

[@Widdershins.]

@@gypsygirl3255 Sure. We should send Ashleigh into the Wayback Machine so she can experience some more great classics. How about the Atlanta premiere of "Gone with the Wind?"

[@libertyresearch-iu4fy]

And Boris Badenoff, not Boris Karloff.

[@bobbrinkerhoff3592]

Personally, I must blame Moose and Squirrel !

[@gypsygirl3255]

Always felt sorry for the poor guy clearing up after the parade.

[@lazyperfectionist1]

6:58 "Why do you think it's Teddy?" Ah. Ashleigh, that was the _right_ question. And I find it refreshing that it _occurred_ to you.

[@mass4552]

Soon perhaps To Catch A Thief with Cary Grant and Rear Window.

[@theresashadwell9060]

Yes please 😊

[@erinesque1889]

The actor who played Witherspoon in this was my grandmother’s first cousin, and it’s cool to see him in movies.

[@GA-fn8hr]

Now this is the type of movie you should be doing on the channel, not all the franchise stuff.

[@8lovetolaugh]

This brings me so much joy!! I was dropped off at my grandparents house after preK and then later after school.(my parents were busy doing their big science-y jobs) I had no idea at the time but my Grandpa fought cancer for many of those years. So while my Grandma did all kinds of things around the house and things to take care of him, my Grandpa and I would watch afternoon TV which absolutely included old movies like this!! They just adored me and I was so happy during those hours in the evening with them. This just brought all of that back for me!! Thank You so much!!

[@KyLyonness]

My favorite Cary Grant movies are "That Touch of Mink" with Doris Day, "Operation Petticoat" with Tony Curtis (Jamie Lee's father) and "Father Goose" with Leslie Caron.

[@jamesmoyner7499]

That last one infuriated me as you have two good actors during this horrendous film. I despise the cliché of two people who want nothing to do with each other, but eventually fall in love. Also it is supposed to be a film set during war, but is supposed to have a comedic side to it, but I just found Caron’s characters dreadful as she and her little girls are much more a hinderance than any help to the military personnel of the island.

[@catherinelw9365]

@@jamesmoyner7499 You took it too seriously.

[@jamesmoyner7499]

@@catherinelw9365 It's a film set during war when the enemy could show up at any time and they are messing with the radio and one point one of the little girls is just out strolling on a beach in the open and Grant has to hustle and grab her as where they were at is immediately fired upon. So I took it the right amount of seriousness.

[@kellyp136]

Cary Grant! One of my all-time favourites!!

[@thomasbradley4505]

When I was in high school our school’s theater department did Arsenic and Old Lace. At the end of the play at the curtain call, the had students come up from the “basement” as the corpses with no shoes on. And one of my best friends was one of the corpses.

[@denanebergall5514]

If you want another good Cary Grant Comedy, you should watch Bringing Up Baby. 😉 Cary Grant is my favorite actor of all time. I had the biggest crush on him when I was younger. ❤

[@MsWaif]

Ditto!!! Adore Cary Grant!

[@agenttheater5]

12:56 They think they're doing a kindness to lonely old men so that they won't be lonely anymore. They just figured that everyone else would see it from their perspective as mercy rather than murder, and also figured that the police wouldn't want to be involved because of all the paperwork it would involve.

[@midlifecrisis2988]

My father played Teddy in a community production of this.

[@SylviusTheMad]

My family didn't lock the doors to the house when I was a kid. As recently as 1988, the doors were only locked if no one was home.

[@windsaw151]

Ah, fond childhood memories. Remember how the scene where he let out a YELP! to keep a guy from drinking the poisoned wine made me laugh so hard I couldn't breathe! It is still one of the best comedic moments I can think of I ever saw in a movie. I read that Cary Grand hated that movie because of his overacting. No kidding! But hey, sometimes overacting is a good thing!

[@jrewing3718]

Ashleigh's all time best comment: "I felt my leg hair growing back"

[@joebalusikiii5811]

So happy you enjoyed this classic. Yes, you should see it on stage. It's a staple for community, High Schools and College theater programs. I watch the movie every Halloween.

[@thomasbradley4505]

One of the regional theaters here in the San Francisco Bay Area is doing it next month

[@jamesguerrero2993]

This is one of a handful of old B & W classics that I own and it still stands the test of time. Glad you'll b watching Some like it Hot! Another classic, and don't forget you still haven't seen Invasion of the Body Snatchers from 1955 yet another must watch. Take care and looking forward to Monday!!! ✌

[@1newbert]

Boris Karloff played the bad guy on stage but was unavailable for the film version, hence Raymond Massey. Karloff was the Frankenstein monster.

[@garysatterlee9455]

Ashleigh:"I don't know who that is" DUH... Boris Karloff rocketed to fame in 1931 after his performance as the FRANKENSTEIN MONSTER! When Arsenic and Old Lace played on the Broadway stage Boris Karloff played the role of Jonathan Brewster! All references to Jonathan Looking like Boris Karloff were due to the stitches all over his face making him resemble the Frankenstein monster! Peter Lorre's performance as Dr. Einstein was the perfect sidekick and influenced the public's perceptions of the idea of IGOR. it's lost on most young people these days but, it was COMMON KNOWLEDGE for generations! Also - "Cheaters" are his dark glasses ( eyeglasses ) listen to the song: JEEPERS CREEPERS ( WHERE'D YOU GET THOSE PEEPERS )

[@AllenMS828]

I had a very similar reaction to this movie. My mom kept trying to convince me to watch it, but I wasn't interested because it was black and white. Then one time when I was visiting, it happened to be on one of the classic movie channels on cable, so I finally agreed to give it a chance. And I *loved* it! Ever since, I've considered it one of my favorite movies. It also led to a funny moment at work one time. A friend and I were discussing our favorite movies, and I said I really enjoyed "Arsenic and Old Lace". He said, "I've never heard of either of those movies." 🤣

[@macmcleod1188]

Highly recommend "Bringing up Baby" to you. A young elegant Hepburn, a befuddled Cat grant, and a leopard.

[@AllenMS828]

@@macmcleod1188 Thanks!

[@dennismcgovern7914]

KIDDO WHEN YOU SAID "I FELT MY LEG HAIR GROWING BACK" I ALMOST SPIT MY COFFEE ON MYSELF. GREATEST LINE OF ALL TIME. OH HOW I LOVE YOUR HUMOR.

[@jrobwoo688]

I have only ever heard of this movie during your livestreams. An older film I love is The Apartment starring Jack Lemmon.

[@Fremen1971]

One of my favorite movies of all time. My mom introduced me to this movie when I was young. She played one of the aunts in her high school play of this in the early 60's, and watched it whenever it came on tv, then we as a family watched it together until she passed in 2014. Great film. I also would love to see the play.

[@cbobwhite5768]

Now, do "Bring Up Baby".

[@luisbaez9112]

You have seen 4 Frank Capra movies: It's a Wonderful Life, It Happened One Night, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington and Arsenic and Old Lace. You should see You Can't Take It With You, Lost Horizon, Mr. Deeds Goes to Town and Meet John Doe.

[@ink-cow]

Archibald Leach is Cary Grant's real name (believe it or not) and he grew up performing comedy, vaudeville and acrobatics. He grew up to be a romantic lead, but you can tell he LOVED doing the comedy and physical stunts.

[@wirelesmike73]

"Cheaters" was a common term for sunglasses. Because they hide the eyes people sometimes wore them during poker games to hide their expressions and help with their "poker face". Hence, Cheaters. Old 1930s-40s, 50's slang.😎

[@arandomnamegoeshere]

Cary Grant wasn't fond if his performance in this film. He disliked the scenery chewing and 4th wall breaks. But he did it all as asked. And performed his role splendidly. I always look at this as yet another example where art involves such mystery that even the artist can't always tell that they're crafting it well.

[@rmhartman]

Nobody does muttering like Cary Grant. The bit with the phone during the fight at the end is amazing.

[@joabthejavelin5119]

Good to see Ashleigh reacting to classics. I hope she watches "The Searchers" at some point.

[@doc_adams8506]

John Wayne's best role as Ethan Edwards. He acts completely against type.

[@Concetta20]

Ooo, that’s a good one.

[@donovanwaters9403]

Great western,

[@chriswilloughby48]

Yeah this was a treat when it happened to be on broadcast TV in the 90s when I was on holidays with my old mum. Had no idea what it was but it caught my attention and was so entertaining.

[@margaretr4869]

Cary Grant is my favorites, I have seen most of his movies. I will not be able to watch until later but I hope you liked it. For a more dramatic movie you need to watch Notorious he and Ingrid Bergman are in it and it's really good. His Girl Friday is good and my favorite comedy is Bringing Up Baby with Katherine Hepburn.

[@melissagerber7231]

Marcelled hair meant that she had her hair set in waves,with a special piece of hairstyling equipment in the salon. The short,wavy hairstyle called the Marcelle, was popular in the 1930s.

[@dailyrider2975]

14:48 "If you need a new face baby, they got plenty in the basement" Great one Ashleigh! When I saw this movie first time as a young teen on TV I laughed so hard I almost sprung a leak.

[@rickcole349]

Ha Ha. Hi Ashleigh. I studied this play in high school. Ninth grade, I believe. Our teacher would assign us parts to read as we went through the whole play. Reading plays was the best part of English class in high school. I haven't watched the movie in years. Thank you for watching it with me

[@scouseofhorror104]

So pleased you loved this so much Ashleigh! Another incredible film based on a stage production is Wait Until Dark with Audrey Hepburn! Not a comedy... it's thriller that will leave those beautiful nails embedded in your arm rests! 🥶😱🖤

[@sachalessdarktide9813]

Carey Grant is such a great straight man! He is sooo funny! I just love him. I grew up watching those old black and white movies. They would run them on Saturday afternoons on TV in the 70's. This is one we actually bought when VHS was invented. The other was Bringing up Baby with Carey Grant and Katherine Hepburn. Thank you for bringing this 50 something old lady back to her childhood! Loved your reaction to it. You are so genuine I just love your channel.

[@KevinR1138]

I love how Ashley keeps asking for a reason why they’re doing it even after they gave their psychotic reasons…..they’re compassionately and murderously nuts.

[@auapplemac2441]

Sometimes you really shouldn't over-think this films. Takes your mind off of all the fun.