Bela Lugosi in “Arsenic and Old Lace”!
Arsenic and Old Lace is one of my all-time favorite movie comedies. Made in 1944, Arsenic and Old Lace was directed by Frank Capra and starred Cary Grant, Priscilla Lane, Raymond Massey, Jack Carson, Peter Lorre, Josephine Hull, Jean Adair and John Alexander.
Arsenic and Old Lace got its start on Broadway running from January 1941 to June 1944. The popular play starred Josephine Hull, Jean Adair and Boris Karloff. When it was time to make the movie, the play’s producers wouldn’t give Karloff the time off fearing that losing him would hurt the play’s attendance. Raymond Massey took over Karloff’s part for the film.
Although Massey did an excellent job, I’d have loved to have seen Karloff in the movie.
Another thing I’d have loved to have seen is Bela Lugosi in the stage play of Arsenic and Old Lace. As you can see from the ad above, Lugosi played the part originated by Karloff (and later Masey) when the show went on the road!
Source: Barnabas Collins.