Rance’s Random Classics: Broadway play leads star in hit film version

C ary Grant and Frank Capra are two of the most celebrated names in all of cinema.

Both worked relentlessly during film’s golden age creating masterpieces most actors and directors would kill to have on their pedigree. Surprisingly, they only made one movie together, and “kill” is one word you might use to describe it.

“Arsenic and Old Lace” was a popular Broadway play before it made its way to the screen. Its grand slapstick and wacky humor kept audiences coming back for three years and more than 1,000 performances.

Capra, known for his “message” dramedies like “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” and “You Can’t Take it With You,” took a slight departure from his usual cinematic path with this dark comedy concerning a literary critic (Grant) who learns that his kindly old aunts are really serial killers, though they view their crimes not as murders, but as mercy killings of lonely old men.

The title refers to the “gentle” concoction of poison (disguised in wine– that’ll teach you not to drink) they use as their weapon.

The playwright, Joseph Kesselring, struck out several times before producing this rollicking story. In fact, out of the 12 plays he wrote, this was the only one to find success.

Originally, Kesselring wanted the story to be played out as a tense drama. Thankfully, a friend read a draft and advised otherwise.

Warner Brothers quickly bought the rights to the story, not long after its early 1941 debut, and even signed the original aunts (Jean Adair and Josephine Hull) to reprise their original roles. Adair and Hull were granted a brief leave of absence from their stage duties, but went right back to playing the parts as soon as their work on the movie was completed.

Shooting was finished by Christmas 1941, but the picture was held from release for three years. Warner Brothers was contractually obligated to wait to premiere the film version until the play’s run had completed. The troops overseas, though, did get to see Capra’s “Arsenic and Old Lace” during 1943.

While critics have been almost entirely universal in their praise of this motion picture adaptation, Grant was not a fan. He considered his over-the-top performance to be “too much.” I think Grant was spot-on in his interpretation. In fact, I’d consider his lively portrayal to be among his finest work, and when a man has “North by Northwest,” “Bringing Up Baby” and “Charade” on his resumé, that’s saying something.

Grant almost did not play the role at all. Capra didn’t actually want him, and the part had originally been offered to Ronald Reagan (yes, that Ronald Reagan). Reagan turned it down, and Warner Brothers had the wisdom to “force” Grant on Capra.

Keep a close look out for a grave labeled “Archie Leach” in the cemetery next to the aunts’ home. Archibald Leach (or Archie) was Grant’s birth name. Some changes are for the better.

Pull up a chair and rent, Netflix or find a copy of this delightful classic. I would not recommend, however, sipping anything mixed with “Arsenic and Old Lace.”