Arsenic and Old Lace (1944)

I have never described myself as a film buff. Is that even what it’s called? I prefer tv shows to movie nights and I think I saw exactly one of the films nominated for the Academy Award’s Best Picture…after it was announced the winner. My knowledge of pop culture probably ceased to a halt past 2002, and I can’t say I’ve watched too many indie flicks, either. 

My friend Samara is a film enthusiast—I switched to that instagram bio buzzword “enthusiast” because “buff” made me picture her with large muscles—she is a lawyer who minored in film. It’s called balance. We have joked that her extensive knowledge of film and pop culture starts in the mid sixties and goes to present day. Mine starts in the 10s and ends in the mid sixties. Again, balance. We would kill at a wildly specific trivia night.

Anyhow, what I lack in awareness of current pop culture references, I make up for in desperately tragic “did you know?”s about early Hollywood icons. Spoiler alert: most of them had sad beginnings and even worse endings—but we’ll save that for a different series.

Weekly Movie Suggestions

Every time I story a snippet of an old movie that I’m watching, I inevitably get the frequently asked question: “Will you make a list of movies to watch?” But there are so. many. And they don’t all go hand in hand! It would be a strange playlist, indeed. So instead, I decided I’d start a series that has nothing to do with fashion, makeup, hair, or even my personal life—and give you weekly movie suggestions.

Think of it as a book club, except way more glamorous.

This week, I’d like to start with an old favorite: Arsenic and Old Lace.

I thought we’d start with a light, campy (but a wee bit dark!) comedy that I’m sure everyone will enjoy. I love Cary Grant and his dashing transatlantic accent, and he’s charming as can be as Mortimer Brewster, the handsome, perpetual bachelor who is newly in love with the girl next door. Raised by his two kindly old aunts, he comes home to tell them the happy news of his upcoming marriage, only to discover that they’ve been hiding something pretty big: several bodies in the basement. How could these sweet, charitable little old ladies be homicidal maniacs? Where does Teddy Roosevelt fit into all this? You’ll have to watch to see the rest!

Please let me know if you watch Arsenic and Old Lace, or if you’ve seen it before. I hope you love it! Rent or buy Arsenic and Old Lace on Prime Video or iTunes. You can also see a preview here.

p.s. Apparently the director, Frank Capra, also considered Ronald Reagan for the role. You probably already know that the former president was a famous actor before taking office. But it’s kind of wild to think of him in this role!