Scenes We Love: Arsenic and Old Lace
Filed under: Trailers and Clips, Scenes We Love
Robin Williams is great and all, but he's no Teddy Roosevelt. I reserve that honor for John Alexander, the man who played Theodore in Frank Capra's wonderful Arsenic and Old Lace. (As well as Bob Hope's Fancy Pants!) Ever since I was a little girl, his work as the Roosevelt-obsessed brother of Cary Grant has always sent me into fits of laughter. Teddy's earnestness has a charm we don't often see, and that bugle -- I almost wanted one of my own to Charge! ahead.
If you've never seen this Capra film, you must. Some rave about that Christmas flick, but for me -- it's all about the perfectly paced black comedy. In fact, this is the film that hooked me into the world of dark comedy, and I never looked back.
Trivia (via IMDb and Wikipedia):
Capra was forced to cast Cary Grant in the starring role. He had been looking through the likes of Jack Benny and Ronald Reagan, and almost got to give the role to Bob Hope, but there was a contract issue with Paramount.
Raymond Massey, who played the creepy brother Jonathan, not only looked like Boris Karloff -- he also took over the role. Karloff was playing it on Broadway while the film was in production, so he couldn't join the cast.
Indie Roundup: 'Sweetgrass,' 'Clarkworld,' 'Broken Embraces'
Shelf Life: Fight Club_thumbnail.jpg)
Watch: Famous 'Matrix' Scene Re-Created with LEGOs
Peter Jackson Says Spielberg's 'Tintin' is Done Filming, but...
Interracial Harmony: 'Ninja Assassin' vs. 'Blind Side'
_thumbnail.jpg)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
2-25-2009 @ 2:50PM
Meredith said...
Oh, there's nothing about that movie that isn't completely wonderful. I love that the stereotypical Irish cop slips up and calls the Preacher "Father" instead of "Reverend." It's a great bit of dialogue that doesn't require further explanation (at least not then; it might now).
Reply
2-25-2009 @ 2:49PM
Christopher Campbell said...
Another reason for me to love you, Monika.
Reply
3-02-2009 @ 3:30PM
Monika said...
Mutual admiration society in full force!
Except for that whole Fockers love. I just don't get that! ;)
4-27-2009 @ 10:04AM
Richard Hazelip said...
My wife and I still howl with laughter at many scenes from that show; most notably when Mr. Gibbs is run out of the house by Mortimer. I am required to rewind that scene at least three times so we can see it. I was cast as Teddy in a short-lived pick-up production in a small town not far from here. I came to really love that role; I love watching John Alexander's wonderfully expressive face while he acts out Teddy's part!
Reply