CHARGE!

     CHARGE!   One of the best lines of the movie, Arsenic and Old Lace, by director Frank Capra was yelled numerous times by Theodore Brewster.  Theodore Mortimer's younger brother, played by John Alexander, had me laughing out loud trying not to disrupt the class.  Theodore believed himself to be President Teddy Roosevelt and was a big help to the Aunt's by burying their victims in the basement.  He believed he was digging the Panama Canal.  One of my favorite of the many quotes in the movie is when Aunt Abby said:  "Oh, do you remember, Martha, once a long time ago, we thought if he'd be George Washington, it might be a change for him, and we suggested it."  Aunt Martha then replied, "And do you know what happened? He just stayed under his bed for days and wouldn't be anybody."  Poor Theodore did not realize he was doing anything wrong yet Mortimer insisted he needed to be put in Happydale Sanitarium.  He seemed to be the only one actually having any fun during the mass histeria happening elsewhere.  Frank Crapa could have based a whole movie around his character. 
     I thought it was hilarious when Mr. Witherspoon (Edward Everett Horton), the head of Happydale Sanitarium told Mortimer he was reluctant to accept Theodore because they already had a few Teddy Roosevelt's and it may cause trouble there.  I can picture it now, multiple "President's" fighting over who gives the commands.  Arsenic and Old Lace is the only black and white movie I have ever watched all the way through to the end and I now have a new respect for these type of movies.

                                                                       Works Cited
Screenplay  Arsenic and Old Lace.  Julius J. and Philip G. Epstein. released on DVD 2000.  Warner Bros.