<P> Arsenic and Old Lace is a 1944 American dark comedy film directed by Frank Capra , starring Cary Grant , and based on Joseph Kesselring 's play Arsenic and Old Lace . The script adaptation was by Julius J. Epstein and Philip G. Epstein . Capra actually filmed the movie in 1941 because of star Cary Grant 's availability , but it was not released until 1944 , after the original stage version had finished its run on Broadway . The lead role of Mortimer Brewster was originally intended for Bob Hope , but he could not be released from his contract with Paramount . Capra had also approached Jack Benny and Ronald Reagan before learning that Grant would accept the role . Boris Karloff played Jonathan Brewster , who `` looks like Karloff , '' on the Broadway stage , but he was unable to do the movie as well because he was still appearing in the play during filming , and Raymond Massey took his place . The film 's supporting cast also features Priscilla Lane , Jack Carson , Edward Everett Horton and Peter Lorre . </P>
<P> Arsenic and Old Lace is a 1944 American dark comedy film directed by Frank Capra , starring Cary Grant , and based on Joseph Kesselring 's play Arsenic and Old Lace . The script adaptation was by Julius J. Epstein and Philip G. Epstein . Capra actually filmed the movie in 1941 because of star Cary Grant 's availability , but it was not released until 1944 , after the original stage version had finished its run on Broadway . The lead role of Mortimer Brewster was originally intended for Bob Hope , but he could not be released from his contract with Paramount . Capra had also approached Jack Benny and Ronald Reagan before learning that Grant would accept the role . Boris Karloff played Jonathan Brewster , who `` looks like Karloff , '' on the Broadway stage , but he was unable to do the movie as well because he was still appearing in the play during filming , and Raymond Massey took his place . The film 's supporting cast also features Priscilla Lane , Jack Carson , Edward Everett Horton and Peter Lorre . </P>
who starred in the movie arsenic and old lace
who starred in the movie arsenic and old lace
Cary Grant
Cary Grant