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'Harvey' or 'Arsenic and Old Lace'?


I had meant to ask this question earlier but never got around to it. Much like David in WarGames, I always thought there was gonna be plenty of time.



Anyway, both of these comedies were based on plays, both involve someone trying to commit a family member to a mental institution, and, interestingly, both of them co-star Josephine Hull playing roles that she originally starred in on Broadway.

While I love Arsenic and Old Lace, I prefer Harvey (it's in my top ten of all time). Jimmy Stewart is so wonderful in it - as is everyone in the cast. The film - especially the scene in the alley behind the bar - has a wonderful tone to it that is nearly unique in the films that I've seen.

(Personal note - when I first saw the film many years ago I almost fell over when I saw Jesse White playing Mr. Wilson . . . at the time I had had no idea that he was a 'real' actor - I though he only played the Maytag Repairman in the commercials!)

So what do you say? Do you prefer one over the other? Please let me know! Don't wait - unfortunately the clock is ticking.






Goodness! People come and go so quickly here!

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Harvey. Jimmy Stewart - 'nuff said. :)

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Arsenic and Old Lace. Cary Grant. Nuff said.

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Arsenic and Old Lace! That is such a great movie. The cast is superb. It's super funny. I love Priscilla Lane. I know some people think Cary Grant over acted but I love his frenetic performance. Harvey is certainly nothing to sneeze at though. They're both classics!

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I love both, but I gotta give it to Arsenic and Old Lace. I've gone back to that one more than I have Harvey. The comedy holds up and remains entertaining throughout. I also agree with the poster above, in that, I think Grant's theatrics worked for this particular character/situation.

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Arsenic and Old Lace and it isn't even close for me. Probably in my Top 5 all time comedies.

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I remember seeing Arsenic as a kid and then watching it years later as an adult and it didn't seem as good as I had remembered. So I'd say Harvey

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Harvey

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