THE ARGUMENT

It is based on the play by Joseph Kesselring, written in 1939 under the title "Corpses in our warehouse." Years later took Broadway by the name of "Arsenic and OldLace" (original title: Arsenic and Old Laces). The screenplay adaptation for the screen was Julius J. Epstein. Capra actually filmed the movie in 1941, but not released until 1944, after the stage version had finished its Broadway run. At first he thought of Bob Hope for the role of Mortimer Brewster, but could not release his contract with Paramount. Capra also try with Jack Benny and Ronald Reagan before settling on Cary Grant. In theater Boris Karloff played Jonathan Brewster, who "looked like Karloff", but could not participate in the film because the recordings coincided with performances on Broadway. Raymond Massey acted in place