Performance & Direction: Arsenic & Old Lace Review
Last updated: January 28, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Arsenic & Old Lace (1962) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 6.5/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and Arsenic & Old Lace features a noteworthy lineup led by Tony Randall . Supported by the likes of Boris Karloff and Dorothy Stickney , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of Arsenic & Old Lace (1962) is generally positive. With an audience rating of 6.5/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Story & Plot Summary: Arsenic & Old Lace
Quick Plot Summary: Arsenic & Old Lace is a Drama, Thriller, Comedy film that explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Ending Explained: Arsenic & Old Lace
Ending Breakdown: Arsenic & Old Lace concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to drama resolution.
The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the drama themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Arsenic & Old Lace reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Arsenic & Old Lace?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Drama films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want a character-driven story with emotional moments
Top Cast: Arsenic & Old Lace
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Arsenic & Old Lace Parents Guide & Age Rating
1962 AdvisoryWondering about Arsenic & Old Lace age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Arsenic & Old Lace is 76 minutes (1h 16m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.5/10, and global performance metrics, Arsenic & Old Lace is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 1962 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Arsenic & Old Lace worth watching?
Arsenic & Old Lace is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 6.5/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Arsenic & Old Lace parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Arsenic & Old Lace identifies it as Not Rated. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Arsenic & Old Lace?
The total duration of Arsenic & Old Lace is 76 minutes, which is approximately 1h 16m long.
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How Arsenic & Old Lace Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for Arsenic & Old Lace
Tony Randall ("Mortimer") is great as the nephew who returns to his family home, and to his two maiden aunts "Abby" (Dorothy Stickney") and "Martha" (Mildred Natwick) who look very much the refined, gracious, butter-wouldn't-melt type. Shortly afterwards, however, he discovers that these two elderly spinsters have a grisly secret in their basement and when his long-lost brother "Jonathan" (Boris Karloff) arrives; he discovers that this runs in the family! It hasn't quite the charm of the 1944 iteration, and the theatrical staging - and frequently annoying interventions of "Teddy" (Tom Bosley) do detract a bit from the comedy, but the principals are on good form and all in all it's quite a charming outing for Karloff, especially, who plays his menacing, comedic, part as much to camera as to his partners on the "stage". Luckily, I've never been partial to elderberry wine...
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
