Arsenic and Old Lace

Thumbs Up Movie Review

By M. Abercrombie

You will find tutorial

suggestions in these boxes.

Arsenic and Old Lace

Made in 1941Directed by Frank CapraA BLACK comedyThis means a comedy, but about a creepy subject; in this case, serial-murder.

1927, September. "Frank Capra - Biography." The Internet Movie Database (IMDb). Web. 08 June 2011. <http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001008/bio>.

Cite all sources.

Frank Capra – the Director

Born 1897 in SicilyMoved to U.S. at age 6One of seven childrenWon 3 Best Director Oscars

1927, September. "Frank Capra - Biography." The Internet Movie Database (IMDb). Web. 08 June 2011. <http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001008/bio>.

Use light colors on dark colors or dark

on light colors

Arsenic and Old Lace

“A drama critic learns on his wedding day that his beloved maiden aunts are homicidal maniacs, and that insanity runs in his family.” [IMBD]

"Arsenic and Old Lace (1944) - IMDb." The Internet Movie Database (IMDb). Web. 08 June 2011. <http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0036613/>.

If you copy and paste – place the statement in

quotes, and be sure to cite on the bottom of the

slide.

Starring…

Cary Grant asMortimer Brewster

Born Archibald Alexander Leach -1904 –EnglandNominated twice as Best ActorGranted Honorary Oscar in 1967

"Cary Grant at Reel Classics: Academy Awards." Reel Classics: Elizabeth's Classic Movie Homepage. Web. 08 June 2011. <http://www.reelclassics.com/Actors/Cary/cary-awards.htm>.

Tell a little about the actor, but not too much

Starring…Priscilla Lane as Elaine Harper, Mortimer’s fiancé.

"Arsenic and Old Lace - Movie Review and Sounds." Tigersweat Movie Reviews and Sounds. Web. 08 June 2011. <http://www.tigersweat.com/movies/arsen/>.

Born Priscilla Mullican in 1915Was in a singing group with her sistersDied in 1995 and is buried in Arlington Cemetery by her husband

Use sounds sparingly. I am using camera click

for pictures

Starring…Raymond Massey asJonathan Brewster, Mortimer’s evil brother. When he finds out the aunts have been poisoning and burying victims in their basement, he decides to bury his own latest victim there.

Silver Screenings» Blog Archive » Review of Arsenic and Old Lace." Silver Screenings. Web. 08 June 2011. <http://www.silverscreenings.net/comedy/review-of-arsenic-and-old-lace/>.

There’s a running joke in the movie that Jonathan Brewster looks like Boris Karloff, because Karloff had taken Massey’s place on Broadway portraying Frankenstein’s monster.

I’m using the chimes sound to bring attention to tutorials.

Starring…Josephine Hullas Aunt Abby Brewster

Mortimer Brewster "Teddy's killed a man, darlings." Aunt Abby: “Ha ha ha. Nonsense”Mortimer: “But there’s a body in the window seat!”Aunt Abby: “Yes, dear. We know.”

(Josephine Hull on the right)

"Arsenic and Old Lace - Movie Review and Sounds." Tigersweat Movie Reviews and Sounds. Web. 08 June 2011. <http://www.tigersweat.com/movies/arsen/>.

Starring…

Jean Adair as Aunt Martha Brewster

Mortimer Brewster: "Well, how did the poison get in the wine?"

Aunt Martha: "Well, we put it in the wine because it's less noticeable. When it's in tea, it has a distinct odor."

"Arsenic and Old Lace - Movie Review and Sounds." Tigersweat Movie Reviews and Sounds. Web. 08 June 2011. <http://www.tigersweat.com/movies/arsen/>.

You don’t have to animate – you can just bring up the slide ready to go.

Starring… John Alexander as “Teddy Roosevelt” Brewster. Teddy thought he was President Roosevelt and spent a lot of time charging around on an imaginary horse.

"Arsenic and Old Lace - Movie Review and Sounds." Tigersweat Movie Reviews and Sounds. Web. 08 June 2011. <http://www.tigersweat.com/movies/arsen/>.

TriviaArsenic and Old Lace was originally a stage play. It ran for 1,444 performances from 1943-1944.

"Arsenic and Old Lace - Movie Review and Sounds." Tigersweat Movie Reviews and Sounds. Web. 08 June 2011. <http://www.tigersweat.com/movies/arsen/>.

Only put citations on the bottom. Otherwise try to keep everything

in the top 2/3 of the slide. This makes it easier for the people in

the back to see.

Little Known Trivia…Arsenic and Old Lace was inspired by a true event. Amy Archer- Gilligan was a serial killer from the early twentieth century.

"Arsenic and Old Lace: The True Story « The Writer’s Forensics Blog." The Writer’s Forensics Blog. Web. 13 June 2011. <http://writersforensicsblog.wordpress.com/2010/02/13/arsenic-and-old-lace-the-true-story/>.

You might have to look several places to find good trivia. It took a while before I found this story.

The Real Story Trivia

"Arsenic and Old Lace: The True Story « The Writer’s Forensics Blog." The Writer’s Forensics Blog. Web. 13 June 2011. <http://writersforensicsblog.wordpress.com/2010/02/13/arsenic-and-old-lace-the-true-story/>.

Amy Archer-Gilligan ran a home for the aged in Connecticut. After the suspicious death of her second husband, she was investigated and it was discovered she had killed at least 20 people with arsenic and strychnine.

“Murder Factory ” declared local newspaper.

Scott Reynolds, Meghan Somerville, & Ashley Stevens. Department of Psychology, Radford University, Radford, Connecticut. PDF file, assessed internet 13 June 2011.

Although Amy was convicted in 1917 of five murders; she might have committed up to 48. She was originally sentenced to death but then a new trial sentenced her to life in prison.

Amy Archer-Gilligan got a new trial in 1919 and was declared insane and spent the rest of her life in a mental institution. She died in 1962 at the age of 89; thus she was still alive when Arsenic and Old Lace was written in 1939.

"True Crime Story behind Classic Comedy, 'Arsenic & Old Lace' - New York Daily News." Featured Articles From The New York Daily News. Web. 13 June 2011. <http://articles.nydailynews.com/2010-01-17/news/17945564_1_james-archer-michael-gilligan-untimely-death>.

More Trivia…

"Arsenic and Old Lace (1944) - Trivia - IMDb." The Internet Movie Database (IMDb). Web. 10 June 2011. <http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0036613/trivia>.

Cary Grant donated his entire salary, $100,000 to the U.S. War Relief Fund. (Worl d War II)

Don’t crowd your slides. Use lots of slides with just a sentence or two of

information.

And More TriviaArsenic and Old Lace was filmed in 1941 and shown to soldiers overseas, but not shown in the U.S.A. until 1944. By contract, it had to wait until the Broadway version ended.

"Arsenic and Old Lace (1944) - Trivia - IMDb." The Internet Movie Database (IMDb). Web. 10 June 2011. <http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0036613/trivia>.

Much More TriviaThere is a tombstone inscribed with “Archie Leach” in this scene. Cary Grant’s real name.

Arsenic and Old Lace (1944) - Trivia - IMDb." The Internet Movie Database (IMDb). Web. 10 June 2011. <http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0036613/trivia>.

Here’s the Movie Trailer from Arsenic and Old Lace

Arsenic and Old Lace Movie Trailer

Adding Video or AudioThe computer will be on the internet, so you can add a link.We cannot receive YouTube here at school, so you will have to look for an alternate source. Clips from Turner Classic Movies work, for example.

1. Make a text box.2. Make a name for your clip.3. What do you mean there are others?4. Highlight the phrase.5. What do you mean there are others?6. Go to “Insert”on the top menu or simply right click.7. Choose hyperlink and paste your video address spot on the bottom.

You can insert a video, but truthfully I have never been successful at doing it, but

someone at your house might be able to.

Look for the best quality video you can find. Usually if yours is bad, there is a better one out there somewhere!

You can also simply bring the DVD and play a scene for the class. However this is not

required.

Thumbs Up or Thumbs Down?

A BIG Thumbs Up!

I give this movie a big Thumbs Up as one of my favorite classic movies. Although somewhat “overacted”, it works for this comedy.

Some Power Point Suggestions

1. Keep things simple. Dark colors on light, or light on dark work best.

2. Only use the top 2/3 of your slide (except for the citation.) This is so everyone can see.

3. Use font size at least 24 (this is 28).4. Don’t crowd the slide. Use more slides with less

info on each one.

More Power Point Suggestions

5. Place your citations on the bottom of the slide as you work. It’s easier than trying to go back and find it later.6. Keep animations and sounds simple. Too many sounds can be distracting.