drmalama
I feel it's important to mention some caveats before I start gushing about this movie: I don't enjoy every single scene of The More the Merrier, the last comedy George Stevens ever directed. Occasionally the film feels dated, and all the casual talk about "Japs" is bound to make other modern-day viewers feel uncomfortable as well (though it's worthwhile to keep the context in mind). But when The More the Merrier hits its stride, it's funny, sweet, romantic, daffy, and everything a great screwball comedy should be. It's terrifically enjoyable without denying the realities of the time.We're in Washington in 1942, when the proliferation of war jobs and servicemen passing through resulted in a huge housing problem. Even an elderly retired millionaire like Benjamin Dingle (Charles Coburn), who arrives in the city as a Senate-sponsored consultant two days ahead of schedule, finds that he is not guaranteed a place to stay. The cheerful, gleefully manipulative Mr.Dingle finds a room for rent in the paper, fools a gaggle of other prospective tenants into getting out of his way, and railroads the apartment's occupant, prim government worker Connie Milligan (Jean Arthur), into letting him stay. She wanted to rent to a woman to prevent raised eyebrows among her neighbors (which, given the time, was certainly a risk), but she barely gets a peep in before Dingle's setting up shop.After unilaterally deciding that what his pretty, somewhat tightly wound roommate needs is a "high-type, clean-cut, nice young fella" (and epically failing at sticking to Connie's baffling morning schedule) Mr. Dingle proceeds to rent half of his room to another prospective tenant. He finds one in Sgt. Joe Carter (Joel McCrea), a soldier set to ship out to the front in a week. Dingle initially tries to keep Joe and Connie from noticing the other's existence, but that can only last so long. Connie is unable to kick out either of her new roomies and so attempts to adjust, though she makes it clear that she's engaged to her boss and so off the market. But Dingle, a self-appointed cupid, has other ideas--he senses that this Mr. Charles J. Pendergast is a stuffy bore (he's right), and slyly maneuvers Connie and Joe toward each other. It doesn't hurt that the two seem to operate on the same wavelength (an adorable early scene has them both doing the rumba by themselves in separate rooms). Eventually they cannot hide their attraction to each other, though the war inevitably gets in the way. The performances are what make The More the Merrier irresistible. Coburn, delightfully cheeky, won an Oscar for his turn as the benevolently Machiavellian matchmaker. But the chemistry between Arthur and McCrea deserves special mention. It's a wonder that their scene on Connie's front stoop got past the censors--while there's nothing R-rated, things get a little "tactile"--but it's breathtakingly sexy. The next scene, where the thin wall that separates their bedrooms allows them to talk to each other, is equally powerful in a more poignant, understated way. I think this movie has made me a lifelong fan of both actors. The film has some flaws--some slightly unconvincing crying, and the aforementioned "Japs" issue--but don't let that deter you. There's a reason the term "underrated classic" so often follows the mention of The More The Merrier. In some ways it's a product of its time, but its emotional grace notes about love, lust, and taking risks haven't aged a bit.
GeoPierpont
I guess "Gone With the Wind" set the precedent for scare tactics to lure audiences using evil guttural utterances. Pish posh, in your dreams friends. This film was a dreg.I've had many male roommates and of course this led to many romantic opportunities but as a business arrangement, I NEVER went there, and at times this was eXtremely difficult, but rules are rules. And let me tell you these gents were not of the wooden unemotional daft Joel McCrea types.I had a hard enough time with "Walk Don't Run" but I soldiered through this first installment with grit. The "Schedule" routine was tedious but gave it some slack thinking the payoff would be forthcoming. Not the case here folks. This farce is dreadful at every turn. The split screen tactic in the bedroom may have it's foundation here but guess that's where the creativity ends.Perhaps if there were more sightseeing tours of DC in the 40's it could save the day? I guess I could recommend to round out your collection of Arthur, Coburn and McCrea. But not likely.... Big Sigh!
misteroregon
It has a cute script, and perfectly fine acting, but for some reason Jean Arthur affects an accent that sounds like Fran Drescher ate Snookie and then cried about it for more than an hour.It was so distracting that I was hard to maintain immersion and suspension of disbelief. I'm not usually put off by dialog/accent choices, but this was so inexplicable and so unavoidable that it sort of ruined the movie watching experience.Other than that, it was a perfectly serviceable romantic comedy from the 40's. Nothing amazing, nothing awful, certainly worth a view - especially subtitled on mute.
David Allen
"The More The Merrier" (1943) starring Jean Arthur and Joel McCrae Is A Wonderful Stage Play Comedy Made Into A Stagey Movie.The incredible Jean Arthur plays a beautiful young woman WWII era Wash. DC war industries worker during "Rosie The Riveter" times.Arthur was in her 40's when she made this movie, and passes easily as a lovely 22 year old girl prettier than most other 22 year old girls.Her acting is flawless.She gets great help from Joel McCrae and Charles Coburn.This movie is like hearing great opera singers perform the best arias from the most famous operas (Largo Al Factotum, Celeste Aida, Un Bel Dei, etc.) It's all about performer talent, and the great George Stevens direction allows this to be an actor movie with plain Jane set decoration....the dumb small apartments working people always lived in...no frills.Great little movie....all Jean Arthur movies are great, and so are all Joel McCraie movies.See it!___________________ Written by Tex Allen, SAG Actor. See WWW.IMDb.Me/TexAllen for more about Tex Allen. Email him at
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