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.
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.
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
Yes! Peter Lorre is an amazing actor. I've now seen "M" too, which I'm hoping to get around to bringing to the channel at some point (uncut is available). I've not seen the vampire film yet though, but I'd love to! I'll add it to the suggestions list, thank you! Yeah, Arsenic is a wonderful film and still one of my absolute favourites. It's one I regularly put on now. Thank you for watching Julio and apologies for such a delay in replying. I have a bit of a backlog in comments to get back to
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!
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.
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.
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.
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 RU-vid.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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). 🙂
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.
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.
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).
Love this movie. One of my favorites. I love that it’s near Halloween too. Gives me the warm fuzzies. The aunts are so sweet even though they’re crazy too. Cary Grant is great and I love Elaine. Just lots of fun. You can tell it was based on a play as it almost all takes place in the Brewster house.
I've always thought Peter Lorre was an absolutely incredible actor, ever since i saw his role in Fritz Lang's 'M' -- he did drama just as handily as he did comedy, even into the 1960s when he teamed up with Vincent Price for a few of Roger Corman's movies. I keep meaning to watch him and Sidney Greenstreet pair up as leads in 'The Mask of Demetrios'
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 ☺.
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
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!!❤❤
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.)
Another one to consider is Tyrone Power , Marlene Dietrich, Charles Laughton in the BRILLIANT Witness for the Prosecution! Cracking courtroom drama. Also 12 Angry men x
Thank you Nessa, I believe "Witness..." is on my suggestions list, but if not I'll add it as it sounds great. As for "12 Angry Men", you're in luck! It's already available if you'd like to watch, here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-O_zMJVi3F8s.html I hope you enjoy!
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.
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!
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.
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
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!
Wow, at last someone who's watching old films! This is Cary Grant at his best, lol. You must watch films called, cary Grant is hilarious in His Girl Friday, Cat and Canary, the Road th Rio films. Oh god the list is endless.
Thank you Nessa! I'm so glad you love the older films too. Yeah! Cary Grant is now one of my personal favourite actors because of this and this is my favourite of his and one of my favourite films. I watch a lot of the classics here, so I hope you'll love future ones I bring too! One of which is actually "His Girl Friday", which is brilliant. So fast paced, but very well played. Another classic film watched is another Grant film "The Philadelphia Story", with Katherine Hepburn and James Stewart. The uncut to both are up on Patreon / YT Members, but I'm hoping to edit at least His Girl Friday for the channel at some point in the near future. Thank you for those! I'll add the others to my film suggestions list (anyone can view it over on Patreon). Thank you so much for watching! I massively appreciate you being here and enjoying what we watch together. Have a lovely day Nessa!
I love this film, your reaction, the trivia. When I was a teen I saw it and wished I was not really a member of my crazy family. I grew up to learn I was as crazy as the rest of them. 😅
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.
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 RU-vid Members. It'll eventually come to RU-vid 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!
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.
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.
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'.
Peter Loree was Jewish and escaped Germany just as Hitler came to power. At first, he couldn't speak English, and his first role or two (Hitchcock's 1934 The Man Who Knew Too Much), he had to learn his lines phonetically. Guess by the time of this movie, his English had greatly improved.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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!
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
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!
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
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!
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 )
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.
This is actor Raymond Massey, not Boris Karloff, but if you go on RU-vid, you can watch several Boris Karloff films, including the original 1930s version of "Frankenstein"
Men's attire for many years even after this movie was still a suit and tie, and a hat (generally a fedora). Pres. John Kennedy broke the first part of this, by no longer wearing a hat. When I was a freshman at college in 1968, we would not be admitted to the dinning hall for dinner without wearing a suit coat and tie. That year, all hell broke loose it seems in formal attire. Guys would go to dinner in shorts and a tie shirt, with a loosely tied tie and under the mandatory suit coat, and after that, this requirement was dropped.
Great Reaction! Bringing Up Baby with Cary Grant & Catherine Hepburn is, in my opinion, even a better screwball comedy than this. This is so clever so funny but the plot of trying to protect the terrible terrible mass murdering aunts seriously gets on my wick especially when their victims are not bad guys but lonely old men.
