Arsenic and Old Lace by Grace King

Joseph Kesselring

kingge1 — 2024-04-24 15:23:36 UTC

Born in New York to Frances and Henry Kesselring, Joseph O. Kesselring was an American playwright. He was best known for writing Arsenic and Old Lace, created in 1939. As he was constantly surrounded by theater, he began teaching vocal music and directed stage productions at Bethel College in 1922. Kesselring left teaching and returned to the stage, working for two years with an amateur theatrical group in Niagara, New York. He began working as a freelance playwright in 1933, completing 12 original plays before passing away on November 5, 1967, in Kingston, New York, at the age of 65.

Amy Archer-Gilligan

kingge1 — 2024-04-24 15:39:58 UTC

The story of Amy Archer-Gilligan, a serial killer, might have been the inspiration for Arsenic and Old Lace. It was said that her motive for killing was for insurance money. She used poisons such as arsenic and/or strychnine after receiving large sums of money from her clients as a nursing home proprietor. She was sentenced to death, but was later sent to an asylum, where she would spend her last moments. She died at age 88.

1941

kingge1 — 2024-04-24 15:45:57 UTC

Arsenic and Old Lace takes place in Brooklyn, New York. It is shown on Broadway.

1939

kingge1 — 2024-04-24 15:47:26 UTC

Joseph Kesselring writes the play.

1908-1916

kingge1 — 2024-04-24 15:52:33 UTC

Amy Archer-Gilligan commits several murders in her nursing home. She is later convicted. She dies. Her case inspires Kesselring for writing.

kingge1 — 2024-04-24 17:08:28 UTC

Kesselring wrote 12 plays. Four were produced on Broadway. They are: There's Wisdom in Women (1935), "Cross-Town" (1937), Arsenic and Old Lace (1939), and Four Twelves are 48 (1951). Arsenic and Old Lace was his most popular play.

kingge1 — 2024-04-24 17:09:05 UTC

Her usage of arsenic and her age were key factors in the making of the play.

kingge1 — 2024-04-24 17:21:14 UTC

The play was produced by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse and directed by Bretaigne Windust. It opened on Broadway in 1941 and closed in Hudson Theatre in 1944. It played 1,444 performances. 46th Street Theatre also did the play, opening in June of 1986 and closing the next year in January. As of today, it has 221 performances.

1992

kingge1 — 2024-04-24 17:23:41 UTC

Joseph went to teach at Bethel College. The college also inspired the set layout for the play.

Boris Karloff

kingge1 — 2024-04-24 17:29:05 UTC

Many references were made to Boris Karloff, an original actor in the play.