BORIS KARLOFF: Arsenic And Old Lace

[@jeffwatkins352]

This is a truly remarkable document. I know of nothing that exists to compare with it. You've provied a wonderfuly thorough and enlighteningly complete overview of the play's history combined with a priceless sound recording of Karloff recreating a signature role, one perhaps eclipsedonly by his Frankenstein's monster. What a gift! Mere thanks seem meaningless in the face of such riches!

[@bird10498]

I have always loved this play although I've only seen the film version. It's a shame that Karloff couldn't have appeared in the film, it's something that should have been saved for posterity. Thanks for posting the stills and audio. There used to be a store in Chicago called Metro Golden Memories, The place sold movie memorabilia and had bins full of stills. I used to hunt for gems like the ones you presented here. Of course with the internet, a store like that couldn't survive. Got a big kick out of learning that Abe Wigoda played Brother Johnathon. Glad I found your channel, New subscriber,

[@gothling1955]

You know, I think my earliest memory of seeing "Arsenic And Old Lace" on TV was during an afternoon movie showcase in the early 1960s. That might've been the first time I ever saw Peter Lorre in anything. How cool is that? But then, there was that apparent imposter, who wasn't Boris Karloff at all -- but everybody said that he LOOKED like him. (hee-hee) In later years, I certainly came to regret that Karloff wasn't permitted to appear in Warner Bros.'s very enjoyable film adaptation, but (as legend has it) the play's producers insisted that -- without Karloff's name on the marque -- they'd lose too much money during their Broadway run. Interestingly, director Frank Capra is said to have wanted Boris Karloff and Bob Hope, but he ended up with Raymond Massey and Cary Grant. Oh well, they both did fine jobs in their own right. That leaves the two radio versions with Karloff, and the two TV versions with Karloff. When I first posted this tribute clip, the radio versions were still rather difficult to find. Happily, that's no longer the case, and they're out there to be had in their unedited forms. I've also seen the Boris Karloff / Tony Randall TV version here on YT, which was fun. Not sure if it's still up and running though. You know, I really related to what you said about searching for especially wonderful vintage movie stills. I used to frequent a small store on Hollywood Blvd. back in the '70s, and they'd have all of their 8X10s conveniently filed under movie titles and actors names. What a great place it was to spend an afternoon! I still have a couple treasured publicity pics that I bought there: Peter O'Toole from "The Ruling Class" and Bud Cort from "Brewster McCloud", safely stashed away somewhere in my bedroom closet. However, as you say, I'm sure that such businesses have passed into extinction with the advent of 300 DPI internet photo galleries. It's always a pleasure to welcome a new subscriber. Thanks so much for your thoughtful comments.

[@michaelstevenklein3696]

Thanks for the post. I am a '59er. I was an avid horror fan, way back in the "Creature Feature" on Channel 5, and "Creature", on Channel 9, Saturday nites, in BROOKLYN, NY, no less, at 236 E.88th between Ave.B and Ditmas ave. Being of Hungarian extraction helped a bit.

[@rhomak1]

I've seen the television version of ARSENIC AND OLD LACE with Karloff, and found it very enjoyable. I'd have loved to see him on stage performing live.

[@SnowGiant.9]

That would be a great compliment! If someone told me I looked like Boris Karloff! Brilliant! Brilliant!🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺

[@gothling1955]

One can never get enough of dear old Boris Karloff... This shared self-made mini doc on "Arsenic And Old Lace" is fondly dedicated to my old "Boris buddy", Beverly, from our times shared over on MySpace. :-) I'm thrilled that you've found me on Google -- and of course, I'm always to be found through my channel on KZbin as the eternally macabre Gothling1955. Hugs and best wishes!!! -- Steve

[@rebeccatanner2740]

gothling1955 love this man too😊 I only realised some six months ago, that he even existed. Lol since then I can tell you I now have watch heaps. Have to wiki him as I don't know all of the things he has done. Am very happy I found him in internet land and his videos/movies😊

[@jyotiyadav-yr1uu]

Тhis mоviе is nоw аvаilааblе tо wаtch hеrе => twitter.com/6992b7b6fc27512bc/status/795843693596901376 BОООRIS КАRLОFF Аrsееeniс ААnd Оld Lассссе

[@DG-hl1xo]

Тhis mоviе is nоw аvаilаblе to wаtch herе => twitter.com/cb0ea07cb20be2b0e/status/822789157843968000 BОRIS КАААARLОFF Аrseniс Аnd Оld Lасе

[@gothling1955]

Thanks so much, Jeff, for the healthy serving of praise. Still, I must wonder if perhaps Mortimer Brewster himself would've reviewed it all so positively -- or if he might've harped on all of the time-honored clichés in evidence. Oh well, he IS a dramatic critic, so what does HE know? I'm grateful that you got to see your humble dedication clip before embarking on your week-long trip. I just wanted you to know that I've been thinking fondly of you. Watch for the DVD edition, coming soon.

[@holyspacemonkey]

This is fantastic! Well done!

[@gothling1955]

Wow, thanks so much for the fascinating background facts. I was especially fuzzing on my knowledge regarding the Karloff TV versions, I suspect, and am very pleased to know that his legendary portrayal in the play has been so well preserved, at least in some form... Again, I'm very appreciative towards your valued contribution!

[@johnfraraccio99]

Massey had doubtless presence, and Lugosi must've been a trip in his own right, but Boris was THE MAN. So the story goes one line uttered on stage in his presence brought down the house in every single performance he was in. If you want to see whom else was in the original Broadway cast and revivals visit the Internet Broadway Database.

[@gothling1955]

So true. The part of Jonathan has surely been tackled by several actors of note, but Karloff is doubtless the standard by which everyone else is measured. Rightfully so, too. And as for bringing down the house with a single line, I know that for me, it has always been when Jonathan bitterly exclaims: "He said I look like Boris Karloff!" -- especially when it's delivered by Karloff himself. What a surreal moment that tends to be. That line might well have inspired other similar references in a couple movies of note: "Dick Tracy Meets Gruesome", when the detective comments about a disappearing corpse in the morgue resembling Karloff, and "Curse Of The Crimson Altar", when the supposed hero states that the house he's just arrived in looks to be so shadowy, you'd expect to find Karloff just around the next corner -- and the jokes were reinforced by Karloff's presence in both movies. I love stuff like that.

[@johnfraraccio99]

When Lugosi played the role the producers had to have slipped in a line like, "WHAT accent?"

[@TamCatG]

That is great. Does anyone have a Recording of the entire play with Karloff?

[@gothling1955]

Thanks! I'm pleased that you enjoyed it.

[@gothling1955]

Good question! I've wondered the same thing many times over the years. As far as I know, Karloff did appear in at least two live television productions of the entire play, in 1955 and 1962. While neither has been formally offered for purchase, I have seen some ads on the MonsterKids message board, where fans are selling bootleg DVDs at cost, just so Karloff fans might be permitted to avail themselves of this rare treat. At present, I haven't taken to plunge, but I'm certainly tempted to do so.

[@BeatlesGirlKaren]

This was really well put together gothling ~ loved it!

[@gothling1955]

Thanks so much. I really wanted the end result of this project to be kind of special. I vastly appreciate your kind compliment. Thanks for watching my humble tribute clip. Best wishes!

[@SnowGiant.9]

I would of loved to seen the original thetrcal play!🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺

[@gothling1955]

mike reyes Me, too. Boris Karloff live on stage, playing the legendary role written specifically for him -- what an event it would've been to have seen firsthand.

[@jacobjinglehymer8789]

Me three! When the 'he said I look just like Boris Karloff' line was used in the movie, it totally lost any and all significance.

[@Tabby7]

This is a gem! Raymond Massey was godawful in the movie!

[@danielstanwyck2812]

Who were the other actors, I wonder? Not Hull and Adair as displayed in the photo.

[@alfredhutchinson6566]

1:15*Resemblance June 2020 B'dos,WI