idlesuperstar:

Not-lead characters that I adore beyond reason: An Advent Calendar

Day 1: Dr Einstein (Peter Lorre) – Arsenic and Old Lace [1944]

Here’s the thing: I could probably do this whole advent calendar just with Peter Lorre. But I’m going to restrain myself, for once, and of all Peter’s supporting roles this is my absolute fave (Joel Cairo, to me, will always be an equal-lead role).

So, an alcoholic, fraudulent doctor, a psychopath’s sidekick, a pathetic spineless fellow who is alternatively squeamish and amused: how could he be adorable? This is just part of the genius of Peter Lorre. The streak of pathos that runs through all his best performances makes Einstein likeable – he may be a weasel but he’s somehow an honorable weasel. He does, after all, try to warn Mortimer, and he draws the line at harming Teddy. (Who wouldn’t? Teddy is my other fave not-lead).

Peter Lorre is a fabulous physical actor – not in a falling-over-the-furniture way, but in an aware-of-his-own-body way: we all know the mobility of his face, the roll of his eyes, but he uses every inch of himself to portray his character, something Capra loved about his work in this film. His puckish quality comes through strongly here, in comedic counterpoint to the glowering, looming Jonathan. And because this is a black comedy, well it’s alright to find him adorable, just as the aunts and Teddy are adorable. And it’s alright to cheer when he slips out of the door. But here’s the other thing: if it wasn’t Peter Lorre doing it, Einstein wouldn’t be half as marvellous.