MovieChat Forums > Arsenic and Old Lace (1944) Discussion > Well, They all Tried Hard...

Well, They all Tried Hard...


...Too hard. The film is cluttered with too many characters, each given way too much screen time. There are some amusing moments, but it's frantic, rather than funny, and goes on a half hour too long.

The absence of Karloff makes the jokes fall flat.

The movie really feels like a filmed play, rather than a screen adaptation, and therefore falls flat.

reply

Yeah, everyone tries a bit too hard, and it's a damn shame that Karloff wasn't there, because he could be slyly funny when given a chance.

However, I still rather like this movie, and am considering calling my new kitten "Teddy". Because, of course, he spends every waking hour going "CHAAAAAAAARGE!!!!!".

reply