Starring: Cary Grant, Josephine Hull, Jean Adair, Raymond Massey, Peter Lorre Directed By: Frank Capra Average Rating: Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated) Binding: DVD Format: Black & White, Closed-captioned, DVD-Video, NTSC Label: Turner Home Ent Number of Items: 1 Region Code: 1 Release Date: August 29, 2000 Running Time: 118 minutes Theatrical Release Date: September 23, 1944
Description: You'll die laughing! Frank Capra directs Cary Grant, Raymond Massey, Peter Lorre and stellar cast in the hit Broadway farce about a nutcase family with well-intentioned homicidal tendencies.
Amazon.com essential video: Frank Capra made this film in 1941 before he went off to make films for America's war effort, but it wasn't released until 1944. Adapted from the hit play by Joseph Kesselring, this frantic black comedy shows Capra at his best as a master of mood and timing. Actresses Josephine Hull and Jean Adair reprise their Broadway performances as two gentle old ladies who poison men with elderberry wine to put them out of their misery. Cary Grant plays one nephew, a normal guy who just gets wind of their little hobby and tries to get them to stop, while Raymond Massey plays another, a villain just escaped from jail. Capra encourages the cast, especially Grant, to give a somewhat more outsized performance than one might expect. But made during the war years as it was, this overstated comic approach to killing was probably cathartic. --Tom Keogh
I love this movie I absolutely love this movie, and the main reason is Cary Grant. My only regret where Cary Grant is concerned is that I wasn't alive when his pictures were actually shown in theaters! But then, I wouldn't get to enjoy them over and over again on my DVDs. No one Hollywood has to offer today can ever expect to hope to touch him for talent or looks. I even have my 12- and 10-year-old nieces begging to watch this and "Bringing Up Baby" over and over again! Even a kid knows quality when they see it. Anyway, this movie also has a great ensemble cast, and despite the plot revolving around death and murder, is somehow sweet and endearing. Lucky for us, it showcases the beautiful, but very underrated, Priscilla Lane. For some reason, it seems she got lost in the '40's shuffle of beautiful blondes. If you want to catch her again, get "Sabateour", a dilly from Hitchcock, also starring Bob Cummings. I personally think they have more chemistry than she and Grant, if that's possible.
Its my Halloween Tradition I have loved this movie since I was a kid. Every Halloween I put this film in and watch as I have my dinner. Old fashion but great fun. If you enjoy old comedies give this one a try.
Great classic! Comedic Cary Grant at his best. You are really missing out if you haven't seen this one yet.
Recemmended purchase If you want to watch a funny movie with a great cast, look no further. This is classic Cary Grant and boy does he carry it off.
The dvd is in great condition and were delivered quickly. Thanks for the great service.
Funny but uneven classic Easily one of Capra's darkest films, much of this comedy is a great example of madcap filmmaking from the golden age. Grant turned his regular screwball energy up to 11 for this one.
My only problem is that the frenetic pacing comes to a grinding halt when Grant disappears for twenty minutes and Massey and Lorre become the focus of the picture. It turns into a middling thriller for most of the second act. The attempt at ominous posturing is merely plodding. And I've never grasped the fascination with Lorre's wheezy, one-note schtick. Relying on him to supply "humor" in the thriller section doesn't work with me. At all.
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