Review: Arsenic and Old Lace (1944) Criterion Collection Blu-ray

Cary Grant is one of my favorite actors of all time. Whether it was his exciting time in the classic Alfred Hitchcock films, his gallant later years or the crazy off the wall fun of his early screwball comedies like Mr. Blanding builds his dream house or Brining up baby.

There is one of Cary Grant's film that I love more than the rest was 1944's Arsenic and Old Lace. Now I own many versions of this film, but I was extremely excited to hear that Criterion Collection was releasing a deluxe edition of this film on Blu-ray.

Writer and confirmed bachelor Mortimer Brewster (Cary Grant) falls for girl-next-door Elaine Harper (Priscilla Lane), and tie the knot on Halloween. When the newlyweds return to deliver the news to their families, Mortimer discovers a corpse hidden in a window seat. Thinking it was his uncle (John Alexander) who believes he is Teddy Roosevelt. He comes to find out that his eccentric aunts (Josephine Hull, Jean Adair) are to blame. Than to make matters worse his escaped criminal brother Johnathan (Raymond Massey) and his friend Dr. Einstein (Peter Lorre).

Arsenic and Old Lace runs just under 2 hours in length, but you would never know it! The dialog is fast the comedy action keep moving. You find yourself never bored not for a second of this film. Arsenic and Old Lace is the perfect black comedy.  Now before this was a film it was a Broadway hit written by Joseph Kesselring. Director Frank Capra did a masterful job turning a Broadway play into a cinema classic.

It is interesting to note that ,any of the cast from the Broadway play would make their way to the film. Along with Cary Grant, also recast was Boris Karloff's Johnathan for Raymond Massey, Edgar Stehli's Dr. Einstein for Peter Lorre.  

Cary Grant's reactions to the craziness going on in this film are literally priceless. It is hard to believe that he was not the first choice to play Mortimer Brewster. Director Frank Capra wanted Bob Hope, Jack Benny and even Richard Travis before settling for Cary Grant. 

Criterion Collection has transferred this newly restored 4K version of this film to Blu-ray. The film is presented in 1080p in 1.37:1 aspect ratio. The soundtrack is an uncompressed monaural audio and there is English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing.

As I watched this brand new 4K restoration I was so pleasantly surprised. The picture quality is so crisp and sharp and the audio is clear as a bell. The Criterion Collection Blu-ray has literally breathed new life into this classic comedy just in time for Halloween so it can live again of the night of the dead. 

Now this brand new 4K restored version of this classic on Blu-ray would be enough for me to call this a must own. But Criterion Collection didn't stop there. They added some very cool bonus features to this Blu-ray. Take a look at what is included on this Blu-ray.

* New audio commentary featuring Charles Dennis, author of There’s a Body in the Window Seat!: The History of “Arsenic and Old Lace”

* Radio adaptation from 1952 starring Boris Karloff

* Trailer

* PLUS: An essay by critic David Cairns

The audio commentary is loaded with such amazing information. It truly is a must listen. I also love the fact that Criterion Collection added the extremely great radio version with Boris Karloff.

Criterion Collection went above and beyond to bring Arsenic and Old Lace to Blu-ray. I can not recommend this Blu-ray enough. It is a must own! So head over to Amazon and order your copy today you won't be disappointed.

Out of 4 film reels (4 being the best) Criterion Collection's Blu-ray release of Arsenic and Old Lace receives...