The TV Guide Close-Up for "Arsenic and Old Lace" with Helen Hayes and Lillian Gish in 1969. It was presented as a "Drama Special" and not a Made for TV Movie or Movie of the Week. TV Guide's film critic Judith Crist did not review it. She did, however, mention it in her weekly TV network film presentations.
I was in elementary school and happened to see the 2-hour presentation. I became fascinated with Lillian Gish due to her enthusiasm for her role as Martha Brewster, who helped sister Abby (Helen Hayes) assist elderly single gentlemen with a cup of elderberry wine laced with arsenic, strychnine and cyanide. Brother "Teddy Roosevelt" (David Wayne) buried the dead gentlemen in the Panama Canal located in the basement of the house. Jonathan Brewster, played by Fred Gwynne, is great with sidekick played by Larry Storch.
Huge cast in a unique production with a live audience present as the play was filmed. Very creative and very good.
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Scene form Lillian's 1927 film "Annie Laurie" for MGM.
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