Arsenic and Old Lace was a movie originally, later adapted to stage.
Arsenic and Old Lace is a 1944 American dark comedy film directed by Frank Capra , starring Cary Grant , and based on Joseph Kesselring 's play Arsenic and Old Lace . Capra actually filmed the movie in 1941 because of star Cary Grant 's availability , but it was not released until 1944 , after the original stage version had finished its run on Broadway . Arsenic and Old Lace (play) . It has become best known through the subsequent film adaptation starring Cary Grant and directed by Frank Capra .