Quizmail Q76

[quizman55]

What was the four-word title of the novel by a U.S. female author, first published early in the 20th century, and which was later turned into a very successful 1940's stage farce & cinema film about two gentile & old-fashioned spinster aunts who have an unfortunate penchant for poisoning their lodgers.

I don't think that the answer to this is the obvious one.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to the author, or year of writing the novel.

[maggiefair]

Might be Arsenic and old lace

[ktk]

It was written by Joseph Kesselring, originally as a play, not a novel.

[sleuth]

I have really looked for an answer to this. Of course my first thought was AAOL but try as I might, I found no connection to Kesselring. It was his only sucessful play out of 12 so kept looking for that elusive connection but so far no luck. I've tried looking for other books but keep coming up with AAOL.

[littlefinger]

Almost ansered by maggiefair - try changing the first word !!!

[Bobadob]

Littlefinger I think I have the same sweet smelling answer as you, but can't find links to the other clues in the question apart form it being made into a silent movie.

[witzend]

The plot of the novel littlefinger mentions is nothing like the plot of AAOL (you can read it online), but AAOL doesn't meet any of the other criteria.

I'd be surprised if there were two "very successful" stage farces in the 1940s with the same plot, though.

[sleuth]

I agree. Then I'm assuming that the answer is NOT AAOL. That's what I've been working on and gotten nowhere.

[marklb]

Go onto www.abebooks.com. Type Myrtle Reed into author and arsenic into keyword...

[sleuth]

Interesting. I found that book and didn't see anything resembling AAOL except the title of course.