๐ŸŽž MTDbBest ofBy yearBy genreBy runtimeBrowse (app)

MTDb โ€บ Best of โ€บ 1944 โ€บ Arsenic and Old Lace

Arsenic and Old Lace poster

Arsenic and Old Lace (1944)

โ€œShe Passed Out On Cary! No Wonder . . . She's just discovered his favorite aunts have poisoned their 13th gentleman friend!โ€

7.6/10 ยท 1,069 votes 1h 58m nr ComedyCrime

#2 of 6 films from 1944 #198 of 2885 in comedy

Directed by Frank Capra ยท Written by Julius J. Epstein, Philip G. Epstein

โ–ถ Trailer, images & where to stream

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!

Cast

Cary Grantas Mortimer Brewster
Priscilla Laneas Elaine Harper Brewster
Josephine Hullas Aunt Abby Brewster
Jean Adairas Aunt Martha Brewster
Raymond Masseyas Jonathan Brewster
John Alexanderas 'Teddy Roosevelt' Brewster
Peter Lorreas Dr. Einstein
Jack Carsonas Officer Patrick O'Hara
Edward Everett Hortonas Mr. Witherspoon
James Gleasonas Lt. Rooney
Grant Mitchellas Reverend Harper
Edward McNamaraas Sergeant Brophy
Garry Owenas Taxi Cab Driver
John Ridgelyas Officer Saunders

Facts

Release dateSeptember 1, 1944
Runtime118 min (1h 58m) โ€” longer as the 1944 average of 99 min
GenresComedy, Crime
LanguageEN
Budget$1,120,175
IMDbtt0036613

More from Frank Capra

It's a Wonderful LifeIt's a Wonderful Life1946 ยท โ˜… 8.3 ยท 2h 11m Mr. Smith Goes to WashingtonMr. Smith Goes to Washington1939 ยท โ˜… 7.8 ยท 2h 10m It Happened One NightIt Happened One Night1934 ยท โ˜… 7.8 ยท 1h 45m

If you liked Arsenic and Old Lace

Same genre, released within a few years, sorted by TMDB rating.

Kind Hearts and CoronetsKind Hearts and Coronets1949 ยท โ˜… 7.6 ยท 1h 44m His Girl FridayHis Girl Friday1940 ยท โ˜… 7.4 ยท 1h 32m The Great DictatorThe Great Dictator1940 ยท โ˜… 8.3 ยท 2h 5m Modern TimesModern Times1936 ยท โ˜… 8.3 ยท 1h 27m Double IndemnityDouble Indemnity1944 ยท โ˜… 8.1 ยท 1h 47m Singin' in the RainSingin' in the Rain1952 ยท โ˜… 8.1 ยท 1h 43m The Shop Around the CornerThe Shop Around the Corner1940 ยท โ˜… 8.1 ยท 1h 39m The Young and the DamnedThe Young and the Damned1950 ยท โ˜… 8.1 ยท 1h 22m

Questions

How long is Arsenic and Old Lace?
Arsenic and Old Lace runs 118 minutes (1h 58m).
Is Arsenic and Old Lace worth watching?
TMDB users give it 7.6/10 across 1,069 votes, which places it #2 of 6 films released in 1944 in this index (top 83%) and #198 among 2885 comedy titles.
Who directed Arsenic and Old Lace?
Arsenic and Old Lace was directed by Frank Capra. Other well-rated titles by the same director: It's a Wonderful Life (1946), Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939), It Happened One Night (1934).
Who stars in Arsenic and Old Lace?
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.
What is Arsenic and Old Lace rated?
It carries a nr certification in its home market. Ratings differ by country.
Where can I watch the trailer for Arsenic and Old Lace?
Open the title in the MTDb app for trailers, images and streaming links: https://mv.peoplentools.com/titles/3072.

Browse

Best of 1944Best comedyComedy of the 1940sBest crimeCrime of the 1940sAll lists
MTDbยทBest films by year, genre and runtimeยทA century in numbersยทBrowse and watch trailers

Film data and images from TMDB. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB. Ratings are TMDB user scores as of 2026-10-05.