Arsenic and Old Lace Script: Comedy & Characters

Enthusiastic, Respectful

Enthusiastic, Professional

The celebrated playwright, Joseph Kesselring, origin of Arsenic and Old Lace, crafted a dark comedy that continues to captivate audiences today, while Warner Bros., the studio behind the classic film adaptation, further cemented its place in cinematic history. The play’s enduring humor is significantly derived from its memorable characters, such as the sweetly murderous Brewster sisters, which demands a closer look at the arsenic and old lace script. The physical comedy evident in many stage productions further enhances the script’s already brilliant comedic timing.

A Deadly Dose of Laughter: Exploring the Enduring Charm of Arsenic and Old Lace

Arsenic and Old Lace stands as a quintessential example of black comedy, a genre that dares to waltz with the macabre while maintaining a darkly humorous tone.

It’s a play that fearlessly intertwines laughter with morbid themes, offering a uniquely unsettling yet captivating experience. The genius of Arsenic and Old Lace lies in its ability to find humor in the most unexpected of places.

A Theatrical and Cinematic Triumph

The play’s enduring success is undeniable. It resonates just as strongly today as it did during its initial run.

Arsenic and Old Lace has firmly cemented itself as both a theatrical masterpiece and a cinematic triumph. It captures our imaginations and tickles our funny bones, proving that dark comedy has an ageless appeal.

Its longevity speaks volumes about its ingenious writing and the universally relatable themes it subtly explores beneath the surface of outlandish antics.

Setting the Stage: Brooklyn and Broadway

The story unfolds in the charming borough of Brooklyn, New York, within the seemingly ordinary home of the Brewster sisters. This contrast is what makes it so funny.

This location immediately sets a tone of domestic normalcy, which is then gleefully upended by the play’s bizarre and unsettling events. Imagine, if you will, this quiet neighborhood, a perfect setting for the strange and sinister events to unfold.

Its initial Broadway run solidified its place in theatrical history and its appeal is as palpable today as it was then.

Meet the Brewsters: A Family Like No Other

At the heart of Arsenic and Old Lace lies the Brewster family, a collection of eccentric individuals whose quirks range from harmlessly delusional to downright homicidal. Their interwoven relationships and distinct personalities create a comedic cauldron of chaos that drives the play’s darkly humorous narrative. Let’s pull back the curtain and meet the Brewsters.

The Aunts: Sweet Poison

Abby and Martha Brewster, the seemingly sweet and charitable aunts, are the most deceptively dangerous members of the family. Their old-fashioned charm and gentle demeanor mask a deadly secret: they poison lonely old men with elderberry wine laced with arsenic, strychnine, and cyanide, believing they are providing a compassionate "mercy killing."

Abby, with her motherly warmth and concern, embodies the traditional image of a kind elderly woman. It’s this very image that allows her to carry out her macabre hobby undetected.

Similarly, Martha complements Abby’s sweetness with her equal capacity for charming deception. Together, they form a perfectly balanced duo of elderly murderers, their actions born from a twisted sense of morality.

Mortimer: The "Sane" Man in a Madhouse

Mortimer Brewster, the nephew of Abby and Martha, is a drama critic who prides himself on his rationality. He is engaged to the charming Elaine Harper, and is trying to maintain a normal life.

However, his world is thrown into disarray when he discovers his aunts’ deadly secret.

Mortimer’s struggle to reconcile his love for his family with the horrifying reality of their actions forms the central conflict of the play. He represents the audience’s perspective, a voice of reason amidst the escalating absurdity.

Jonathan: The Prodigal Villain

Jonathan Brewster, Mortimer’s brother, is a truly menacing character who embodies pure evil. He is a wanted criminal, on the run from the law, accompanied by the drunken and plastic surgeon Dr. Einstein.

His grotesque appearance, the result of Dr. Einstein’s botched surgeries, adds to his frightening persona. Jonathan’s arrival throws the Brewster household into further chaos, as he plans to use their home to hide from the authorities, and possibly continue his murderous actions.

Teddy: Roosevelt in Brooklyn

Teddy Brewster, the third Brewster brother, lives in a world of his own, believing himself to be Theodore Roosevelt. He charges up the staircase announcing charges, and digs locks in the cellar, convinced he is digging the Panama Canal.

His delusions, while seemingly harmless, contribute significantly to the play’s humor and create further complications for Mortimer. Teddy’s insistence on burying the aunts’ victims in his "Panama Canal" (the cellar) adds another layer of dark comedy to the play.

Family Ties: Twisted, But Strong

Despite their eccentricities and murderous tendencies, the Brewsters share a strong sense of familial loyalty. This twisted bond is central to the play’s humor and conflict. The aunts genuinely believe they are doing good, and Mortimer, despite his horror, struggles to turn them in.

The Mortimer-Aunts Dynamic

The dynamic between Mortimer and his aunts is the driving force of the narrative. Mortimer’s frantic attempts to protect his aunts, conceal their crimes, and maintain some semblance of normalcy create much of the play’s comedic tension.

His efforts are further complicated by his engagement to Elaine and the constant threat of Jonathan’s arrival.

Dr. Einstein: The Accomplice

Dr. Herman Einstein, Jonathan’s accomplice, is a drunken plastic surgeon whose botched surgeries have transformed Jonathan into a monstrous figure.

Einstein’s loyalty to Jonathan is driven by a mixture of fear and dependence. His presence further complicates the situation, adding another layer of dark humor and criminal activity to the Brewster household. He’s also the one who ends up digging the holes in the basement, where the bodies are buried.

Black Comedy Unveiled: Key Themes and Concepts in Arsenic and Old Lace

[Meet the Brewsters: A Family Like No Other
At the heart of Arsenic and Old Lace lies the Brewster family, a collection of eccentric individuals whose quirks range from harmlessly delusional to downright homicidal. Their interwoven relationships and distinct personalities create a comedic cauldron of chaos that drives the play’s darkly humorous narr…]

Beyond its farcical situations and quirky characters, Arsenic and Old Lace thrives on a foundation of black comedy. This comedic approach allows the play to explore unsettling themes with a lightheartedness that both amuses and provokes thought. The play cleverly uses its dark humor to critique societal norms and values.

Let’s delve into the elements that make this play such a darkly delightful experience.

Subverting the American Ideal: Family Values Turned Upside Down

One of the most striking aspects of Arsenic and Old Lace is its subversion of traditional American family values. The Brewster sisters, outwardly sweet and charitable, are secretly murdering lonely old men with poisoned elderberry wine.

This stark contrast between appearance and reality forms the core of the play’s satirical bite.

The play challenges our expectations of what a "good" family should be, forcing the audience to confront the darkness that can lurk beneath a veneer of respectability. It’s not just that the aunts are murderers; it’s that they genuinely believe they’re doing a kindness, a twisted form of charity.

The presence of Jonathan, a literal criminal, further underscores the fractured nature of this family unit.

A Carnival of Irony: Finding Humor in the Macabre

Situational irony is a prevalent element in Arsenic and Lace. The humor is derived from the audience knowing that the sweet, old women are killers, while the characters within the play remain largely oblivious.

Mortimer’s frantic attempts to cover up his aunts’ crimes, while simultaneously trying to maintain a semblance of normalcy, are prime examples of this comedic device.

The play is filled with witty banter, absurd situations, and perfectly timed physical comedy.

The deliberate use of dramatic irony draws the audience further into the chaotic world of the Brewsters.

The Art of Farce: Exaggeration and Absurdity Reign

Arsenic and Old Lace expertly employs the conventions of farce to heighten its comedic impact. The plot is filled with improbable scenarios, mistaken identities, and characters behaving in outlandish ways.

Teddy’s delusion that he is Theodore Roosevelt, complete with bugle calls and charging up San Juan Hill (the stairs), adds a layer of absurdity to the proceedings.

The play’s reliance on broad physical comedy, fast-paced dialogue, and carefully timed entrances and exits creates a whirlwind of comedic chaos.

The Social Critique: Normality Under the Microscope

The play gently satirizes the quirks and foibles of ordinary people. From the local police officers who are easily distracted by the Brewsters’ charm to the clueless Reverend Harper, the play pokes fun at human nature.

Even Mortimer, the most "normal" character, is portrayed as neurotic and prone to overreacting. This satirical lens adds depth to the play’s humor. It encourages us to question what we consider "normal" and to recognize the inherent absurdity in everyday life.

Arsenic and Old Lace isn’t just a funny play; it’s a clever commentary on society, family, and the human condition. It’s a darkly humorous masterpiece that continues to resonate with audiences today because it dares to find laughter in the face of the macabre.

Setting the Stage for Mayhem: The Significance of Place

The quaint charm of Arsenic and Old Lace belies a darker undercurrent, and much of this unsettling atmosphere is directly attributable to the play’s setting. The seemingly innocuous locations—the Brewster home and its infamous cellar—become potent symbols, amplifying the play’s themes of hidden madness and societal subversion. Let’s dive into how Kesselring masterfully uses place to enhance the play’s macabre comedy.

The Brewster Home: A Facade of Respectability

The Brewster home, with its Victorian architecture and welcoming front porch, initially presents an image of old-fashioned charm and familial warmth. It’s the kind of place you’d expect to find freshly baked cookies and polite conversation. This facade of respectability is crucial to the play’s humor.

It allows the aunts, Abby and Martha, to operate under a veil of innocence. Who would suspect sweet, elderly ladies of murder in such a seemingly idyllic setting? The home becomes a stage for their macabre acts, a place where appearances deceive, and the ordinary conceals the extraordinary.

The home is also a character in itself. Its antique furnishings, lace doilies, and floral wallpaper serve as constant reminders of a bygone era. The aunts’ adherence to these outdated customs, combined with their deadly hobby, highlights the play’s critique of clinging to tradition in a rapidly changing world. The Brewster home symbolizes the illusion of stability and order, which the play gleefully dismantles.

The Panama Canal (Cellar): A Grave Undertaking

Beneath the veneer of respectability lies the Brewster’s cellar, or as Teddy affectionately calls it, "The Panama Canal." This subterranean space holds a far more sinister secret. It’s the final resting place for the aunts’ victims, disguised as a pet project undertaken by their delusional nephew.

Teddy’s belief that he’s Theodore Roosevelt, digging the Panama Canal, adds another layer of dark humor to the play. His earnestness and oblivious nature contrast sharply with the grim reality of the cellar’s true purpose.

The cellar serves as a physical manifestation of the family’s buried secrets. The more bodies that accumulate, the more the truth is concealed beneath layers of delusion and denial. It becomes a symbol of the darkness that lurks beneath the surface of polite society, a place where morality is literally buried alive.

The symbolism of "The Panama Canal" extends beyond just a burial site. It represents Teddy’s escape from reality, a world of his own making where he’s a hero engaged in a grand endeavor. This contrasts with the sinister reality the aunts have made for themselves. In this manner, the cellar is not just a physical location. It becomes a psychological space representing both denial and delusion.

Behind the Curtain: The Playwright and Creative Minds

The quaint charm of Arsenic and Old Lace belies a darker undercurrent, and much of this unsettling atmosphere is directly attributable to the play’s setting. The seemingly innocuous locations—the Brewster home and its infamous cellar—become potent symbols, amplifying the play’s themes of hidden madness and societal critique. But, behind every enduring play is the collaboration of talented individuals who breathed life into the narrative. Let’s celebrate the creative minds that propelled Arsenic and Old Lace into theatrical immortality.

Joseph Kesselring: The Architect of Dark Delights

At the heart of Arsenic and Old Lace lies the genius of Joseph Kesselring, the playwright who masterfully blended humor with the macabre. Kesselring’s brilliance lies in his ability to create characters who are both endearing and utterly terrifying. He expertly crafted a plot that teeters on the edge of sanity. His darkly comedic vision transformed potentially grim subject matter into a delightfully twisted romp.

He was born in New York City in 1902 and his experience as a music teacher and drama instructor shines through in his writing. His timing and pacing of jokes is evidence of this training.

Directing and Producing Magic: Lindsay and Crouse

While Kesselring provided the blueprint, Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse were instrumental in bringing Arsenic and Old Lace to the Broadway stage. Their directorial and producing expertise shaped the play into a runaway success. Lindsay and Crouse possessed a keen understanding of comedic timing and stagecraft. They brought out the best in the cast and ensured that the play’s dark humor resonated with audiences.

Their partnership was one of Broadway’s most successful, with numerous hits. They understood how to build anticipation and pay-off in comedic storytelling.

Capra’s Cinematic Vision: From Stage to Screen

Frank Capra, a legendary director known for his heartwarming films, took on the challenge of adapting Arsenic and Old Lace for the silver screen. Capra masterfully translated the play’s dark humor and eccentric characters to a wider audience. While staying true to the original’s spirit, he also injected his signature directorial style. He added cinematic flair with visual gags and inventive camera angles.

However, the film adaptation does have some differences from the stage version, including the ending of the film being slightly altered from the play’s conclusion, with a lighter and more overtly comedic resolution. These differences are relatively minor. Capra’s vision, however, cemented Arsenic and Old Lace’s place in cinematic history.

The Iconic Brewsters: Hull and Adair

Josephine Hull and Jean Adair immortalized Abby and Martha Brewster, respectively. They brought warmth and gleeful malice to their roles. Their performances defined these characters for generations of theatergoers and film enthusiasts. Their seemingly sweet demeanor masked a deadly secret, a contrast they played to perfection. They delivered lines with impeccable timing. Their chemistry with the cast created a believable and hilariously disturbing family dynamic.

Teddy Brewster: John Alexander’s Endearing Delusion

John Alexander was a standout in both the original Broadway cast and the film adaptation as Teddy Brewster. He brought an endearing and utterly believable portrayal of Teddy’s delusion of being Theodore Roosevelt. His boisterous pronouncements and enthusiastic charges up the staircase, believing it to be San Juan Hill, became iconic moments in the play and film. Alexander’s commitment to the role made Teddy Brewster a fan favorite.

A Lasting Legacy: Why Arsenic and Old Lace Still Charms Today

Behind the curtain of masterful playwrights and talented actors, Arsenic and Old Lace persists not merely as a relic of theatrical history, but as a vibrant, beating heart within the realm of black comedy. Its enduring appeal speaks volumes about its clever construction and its ability to resonate with audiences across generations. Why does this play, centered around lethal elder ladies and a family teetering on the brink of madness, continue to captivate us?

The Enduring Allure of Dark Humor

One of the primary reasons for the play’s continued success is its masterful handling of dark humor.

It doesn’t shy away from morbid themes; instead, it embraces them with a wink and a nudge.

The juxtaposition of the Brewsters’ sweet, innocent demeanor with their deadly hobby creates a comedic tension that is both unsettling and hilarious.

This dark humor, while shocking at times, provides a cathartic release for audiences, allowing them to laugh at the absurdity of death and societal norms.

Unforgettable Characters and Their Quirks

The characters in Arsenic and Old Lace are truly unforgettable.

Each is crafted with unique eccentricities that contribute to the overall comedic chaos.

Abby and Martha Brewster, with their ‘old-fashioned’ charm and lethal elderberry wine, are iconic figures in the landscape of black comedy.

Mortimer’s frantic attempts to maintain normalcy, Jonathan’s grotesque villainy, and Teddy’s delusional pronouncements all add layers of humor and intrigue to the narrative.

Their quirks, rather than feeling contrived, are seamlessly woven into the fabric of the play, making them both believable and endlessly entertaining.

A Perfectly Crafted Plot of Enduring Popularity

Beyond the characters, the play’s carefully constructed plot is a key ingredient in its enduring success.

The series of escalating events, misunderstandings, and near-misses keeps audiences on the edge of their seats, eager to see what outrageous situation will unfold next.

The pacing is expertly managed, with moments of quiet suspense punctuated by bursts of manic energy.

This combination of suspense and comedy ensures that the audience remains engaged from beginning to end.

The clever plot is what maintains its place in American pop culture, and it remains the standard bearer for American black comedy.

A Timeless Commentary on Societal Norms

Arsenic and Old Lace offers a timeless commentary on societal norms and the facade of respectability.

The play satirizes the idea of the "perfect" American family, exposing the dark secrets and hidden madness that can lurk beneath the surface.

The Brewsters, despite their homicidal tendencies, are presented as kind and caring individuals, further blurring the lines between good and evil.

This subversion of expectations challenges audiences to question their own assumptions about morality and social conventions, making the play relevant even today.

So, whether you’re planning a production of Arsenic and Old Lace, brushing up on your theater history, or just curious about the play’s enduring appeal, I hope this exploration of the Arsenic and Old Lace script and its unforgettable characters has been helpful. Break a leg!