Arsenic and Old Lace Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of "Arsenic and Old Lace" by Criterion presents an exceptional video transfer, showcasing the film in its original 1.37:1 aspect ratio with a 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoding. Sourced from a pristine original nitrate camera negative, the 16-bit 4K master was meticulously scanned on a Lasergraphics Director film scanner. The result is a visually stunning presentation, with a pristine image devoid of any blemishes such as nicks or dirt, ensuring an uninterrupted viewing experience. The transfer features excellent clarity and contrast, providing a palpable sense of depth and texture, enhanced by a faint, yet exquisitely rendered, grain structure.

The grayscale performance is exceptionally well executed; the rich, inky blacks enhance the film's suspenseful mood, especially in dimly lit scenes. Detailed scrutiny reveals a remarkable balance across mid-tones and highlights, where bright whites resist blooming and blacks maintain their integrity without appearing crushed. Superior shadow delineation adds to the immersive quality of the visual narrative, minimizing macroblocking concerns that might only be noticeable on very large screens. The intricate details of fabrics, patterns, and facial features are beautifully rendered, with skin textures and subtle makeup intricacies standing out sharply in close-up shots.

The controlled lighting of nearly all indoor scenes underscores the careful restoration effort that enhances crucial scenes. Notable are the deep sinister shadows and sharp clarity that highlight the thematic weight of Jonathan's scenes. This release outclasses previous home video presentations by retaining a lovely film-like appearance throughout and offering fans a visually rejuvenated version of this classic film. Overall, Criterion delivers an impressive effort, bringing new life to every frame with outstanding precision and care.

The Blu-ray audio presentation of "Arsenic and Old Lace" features a singular English LPCM 1.0 track, delivering an admirable soundscape for this classic film. The dialog is consistently clear, sharp, and well-balanced, maintaining stability throughout the upper registers. The LPCM mono format excellently captures the film's dialogue fidelity, evidencing minimal wear despite the age of the original recording. Max Steiner’s score is reproduced with vibrant pitch integrity; bells and horns are notably sharp. This audio track exemplifies the standard for vintage films, with no discernible hiss, dropouts, or distortion.

Remastered from the 35 mm optical soundtrack positive, the LPCM track outputs audio that significantly enhances the dynamic action on screen. Sound effects like Teddy's blaring trumpet and creaky hinges are rendered crisply, while atmospheric nuances such as howling winds and rustling leaves are preserved, adding depth to the viewing experience. A wide dynamic range accommodates the whimsical and menacing score’s highs and lows, with rapid-fire dialogue remaining clear and easy to follow. Notably, any artifacts associated with aging, such as hiss, pops, or crackle, have been meticulously removed, presenting a clean and impactful auditory experience.

Overall, this uncompressed LPCM 1.0 (1.1 Mbps) track offers excellent fidelity representative of its era while maintaining a professional balance between dialogue, background score, and sound effects. Steiner’s score accompanies frequent comedic sound cues with precision, enhancing the film's madcap farce while preserving suspenseful highlights. The monaural soundtrack delivers with both sharpness and robustness, ensuring "Arsenic and Old Lace" sounds as engaging today as it did in its original presentation.

The Blu-ray extras for "Arsenic and Old Lace" offer a concise, if modest, glimpse into the film's storied history. Highlighted by Charles Dennis’s engrossing audio commentary, these extras capture the cultural significance and production intricacies of this classic. Dennis’s insights reveal the fascinating adaptation process from Joseph Kesselring's whimsical play to Frank Capra’s cinematic success. The radio adaptation from 1952 enriches understanding, bringing Boris Karloff back to his original role, albeit with the limitations of audio-only storytelling. However, some may find the trailer and broadcast adaptations less fulfilling due to a lack of visual context and brevity in content. Despite the limited selection, these extras adequately serve enthusiasts and scholars seeking to explore the layers behind this beloved farce.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: A comprehensive and engaging commentary from Charles Dennis detailing the film's production and real-life inspirations.
• Vintage Radio Adaptation: 1952 broadcast featuring Boris Karloff reprising his Broadway role as Jonathan Brewster.
• Theatrical Trailer: A high-definition preview capturing the film's chaotic humor and star-studded cast.
• Enclosed Pamphlet: Includes a critical essay by David Cairns, cast/crew lists, and details on video/audio transfers.

Frank Capra's Arsenic and Old Lace (1944) is a cinematic adaptation that marries the macabre humor of Joseph Kesselring's play with the screwball comedy ethos of 1940s Hollywood. The film's premise delights in its absurdity: two sweet, elderly aunts, played adeptly by Josephine Hull and Jean Adair, engage in serial killing, yet maintain an endearing innocence about their morbid actions. The plot escalates when Mortimer Brewster, portrayed by Cary Grant at his physical comedic best, discovers their ghastly secret. Grant’s role, often criticized for his exaggerated reactions, stands as a testament to his commitment in capturing the film’s manic energy, adding layers of hilarity through his reactionary antics against his eccentric family's backdrop.

Critics note that despite Capra’s typical focus on socially conscious storylines, Arsenic and Old Lace is purely comedic, with its narrative stretched beyond the confines of the original stage script by Julius J. and Philip G. Epstein. The inclusion of Brooklyn setting aspects and scenes with secondary characters helps in exploring the film’s thematic chaos. Nonetheless, the movie is critiqued for its potential excesses — with some performances teetering on flamboyance — which at times seem to overshadow its inherent dark humor. Frank Capra infuses spooky noir elements to echo the Halloween setting, expertly blending whimsy with very real murderous undertones.

Special mention is often reserved for John Alexander as Teddy Roosevelt, whose role brings slapstick levity amidst the sinister discoveries, and Raymond Massey's Jonathan Brewster, whose Karloffian visage adds a genuine touch of horror. Although Grant may have been disenchanted with his performance footprint on this film, his contribution alongside supporting actors such as Peter Lorre maintains an engaging and perennial comedic balance. Arsenic and Old Lace continues to be celebrated for its farcical brilliance and remains a hallmark of classic screwball cinema — offering Halloween merriment while hinting at Hollywood's navigation between comedy and suspense during a pivotal era.

Frank Capra's "Arsenic and Old Lace" presents a delightful fusion of slapstick and dark comedy, effectively balancing morbid themes with moments of hilarity. While the film's humor may appear inconsistent to some, it thrives on Cary Grant's eccentric performance contrasted by the nuanced subtleties of Josephine Hull and Jean Adair. This creates a dynamic, offbeat comedy that defies traditional '40s cinematic norms. Despite being somewhat overshadowed by the play it's based on, the film remains a captivating romp that holds its own as a classic screwball farce.

Criterion's Blu-ray release capitalizes on an impressive 4K restoration, delivering superior video and audio qualities that spotlight the film's frenetic energy. Although the supplemental content is sparse for a movie of such historic significance, the Blu-ray's technical fidelity alone merits attention from cinephiles. The transfer maintains the original charm of the film while enhancing its audiovisual aspects, allowing viewers to appreciate the intricate performances and Capra's proficient directorial work.

In conclusion, "Arsenic and Old Lace" may not fully replicate the brilliance of its stage origins, but it offers a kitschy, entertaining diversion that captivates with its unique blend of romance and dark humor. While not without its drawbacks, Criterion’s edition is a commendable presentation that will appeal to existing fans and newcomers alike. Highly recommended for those prepared to embrace its peculiar comedic tone.