Arsenic and Old Lace(1944)
“She Passed Out On Cary! No Wonder . . . She's just discovered his favorite aunts have poisoned their 13th gentleman friend!”
Overview
Mortimer Brewster, a newspaper drama critic, playwright, and author known for his diatribes against marriage, suddenly falls in love and gets married; but when he makes a quick trip home to tell his two maiden aunts, he finds out his aunts' hobby - killing lonely old men and burying them in the cellar!
Director
Frank Capra
Studio
Warner Bros. Pictures
Budget
$1M
Cast
Cary Grant
as Mortimer Brewster
Priscilla Lane
as Elaine Harper Brewster
Josephine Hull
as Aunt Abby Brewster
Jean Adair
as Aunt Martha Brewster
Raymond Massey
as Jonathan Brewster
John Alexander
as 'Teddy Roosevelt' Brewster
Peter Lorre
as Dr. Einstein
Jack Carson
as Officer Patrick O'Hara
Edward Everett Horton
as Mr. Witherspoon
James Gleason
as Lt. Rooney
Grant Mitchell
as Reverend Harper
Edward McNamara
as Sergeant Brophy
Where to Watch
Availability may vary by region. Some links are affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Movie Facts
Release Year
1944
Runtime
1h 58m
Language
English
Rating
7.6 / 10
Budget
$1M
Production Companies
Warner Bros. Pictures
You Might Also Like
Comedy / Crime
Kind Hearts and Coronets
1949
Crime / Mystery
The Blue Gardenia
1953
Comedy / Crime
The Dream Team
1989
Comedy / Mystery
The Thursday Murder Club
2025
Comedy / Crime
Shadow of the Thin Man
1941
Comedy / Mystery
Foul Play
1978
Thriller / Action
A Murder of Crows
1999
Comedy / Crime
Analyze This
1999
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I watch Arsenic and Old Lace?▼
Check the "Where to Watch" section above for current streaming platforms, rental options, and purchase links for Arsenic and Old Lace (1944).
What is Arsenic and Old Lace about?▼
Mortimer Brewster, a newspaper drama critic, playwright, and author known for his diatribes against marriage, suddenly falls in love and gets married; but when he makes a quick trip home to tell his two maiden aunts, he finds out his aunts' hobby - killing lonely old men and burying them in the cellar!
Who directed Arsenic and Old Lace?▼
Arsenic and Old Lace was directed by Frank Capra and released in 1944. It is a comedy, crime film.
How long is Arsenic and Old Lace?▼
Arsenic and Old Lace has a runtime of 1 hours and 58 minutes (118 minutes total).
Who stars in Arsenic and Old Lace?▼
The cast of Arsenic and Old Lace includes Cary Grant as Mortimer Brewster, Priscilla Lane as Elaine Harper Brewster, Josephine Hull as Aunt Abby Brewster, Jean Adair as Aunt Martha Brewster, Raymond Massey as Jonathan Brewster and more.
Explore More by Genre
Need a recommendation?
Tell us your mood and we'll pick the perfect movie for you.