"She Passed Out On Cary! No Wonder . . . She's just discovered his favorite aunts have poisoned their 13th gentleman friend!"
Arsenic and Old Lace - Movie Quotes
Memorable Quotes
Insanity runs in my family... It practically gallops.
— Mortimer Brewster
Context:
Mortimer says this to Elaine in a moment of sheer panic while trying to push her out of the house to protect her from discovering his murderous aunts.
Meaning:
This is the definitive line of the film, perfectly encapsulating Mortimer's dread of his family's genetic disposition for madness and violence.
I'm not a Brewster. I'm the son of a sea-cook! Ha! Ha! Chaaaaarrrge!
— Mortimer Brewster
Context:
Shouted in the final scene as Mortimer joyously runs out of the house, mimicking Teddy's signature bugle charge, to embrace his new bride.
Meaning:
This exclamation represents Mortimer's absolute joy and relief at discovering he is illegitimate, meaning he won't inherit the family madness. The original stage line was "I'm a bastard!" but was changed due to the Hollywood Production Code.
The gentleman died because he drank some wine with poison in it.
— Abby Brewster
Context:
Abby politely explains the situation to a horrified Mortimer after he discovers the body in the window seat, completely failing to understand his alarm.
Meaning:
A perfect showcase of the aunts' complete disconnect from the horrific nature of their actions. The line is delivered with the casual, helpful tone of someone sharing a cooking recipe.
He said I looked like Boris Karloff!
— Jonathan Brewster
Context:
Jonathan angrily complains about a man who gave them a ride, explaining why he murdered him and brought his body into the house.
Meaning:
A brilliant meta-joke. Jonathan is deeply offended by the comparison to the famous horror star, unaware that the audience knows Karloff originated the role on Broadway.
You got twelve, they got twelve. The old ladies is just as good as you are!
— Dr. Einstein
Context:
Dr. Einstein points this out to a furious Jonathan after discovering the bodies in the cellar, deflating Jonathan's ego as a master murderer.
Meaning:
This quote highlights the absurdity of the moral scales in the film, pointing out that the sweet old ladies are just as prolific at killing as the hardened, terrifying criminal.