The More the Merrier

1943 "The only picture with a DINGLE!"
7.6| 1h44m| en| More Info
Released: 13 May 1943 Released
Producted By: Columbia Pictures
Country:
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
Official Website:
Synopsis

It's World War II and there is a severe housing shortage everywhere - especially in Washington, D.C. where Connie Milligan rents an apartment. Believing it to be her patriotic duty, Connie offers to sublet half of her apartment, fully expecting a suitable female tenent. What she gets instead is mischievous, middle-aged Benjamin Dingle. Dingle talks her into subletting to him and then promptly sublets half of his half to young, irreverent Joe Carter - creating a situation tailor-made for comedy and romance.

... View More
Stream Online

The movie is currently not available onine

Director

Producted By

Columbia Pictures

AD
AD

Watch Free for 30 Days

All Prime Video Movies and TV Shows. Cancel anytime. Watch Now

Trailers & Images

Reviews

BlazeLime Strong and Moving!
Rijndri Load of rubbish!!
Sexyloutak Absolutely the worst movie.
Kaydan Christian A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.
mmallon4 The More The Merrier represents the screwball genre adapting for the war years however this was at the end of the genre's original run. I wonder why there was not more screwball comedies made during the war period? Did people become more cynical with the war or perhaps the genre was simply made for the depression era. Instead of taking on the establishment like the genre screwball did during the depression, The More The Merrier is supporting it. It is refreshing to see a propaganda film from the war years which is less gloomy and shows how common folk got on with their daily lives during the war.My main flaw with The More The Merrier is Joel McCrea. He's fine but that's the problem, he's only just fine; a serviceable actor who doesn't leave a great impression. He's the weak spot of a trio of characters who could have been much stronger with a more charismatic actor. Granted this was during the war and most of Hollywood's big male leads where off in Europe kicking Hitler's ass. Could Cary Grant have played the role instead, but perhaps a big star like that couldn't play a role in he doesn't show up until half an hour in. The trio of characters still manages to be fun with Jean Arthur playing the straight man and Charles Coburn as an immature and conniving old man who still seems like a kid at heart; while the romance between Arthur and MrCrea is still believable and handled very well as they spend the final third of the film quietly denying their feelings for each other.Jean Arthur and Charles Coburn are one of the more unconventional screen pairings in Hollywood starring in three films together, just look at the morning schedule scene; comic choreographed brilliance and by far my favourite part of the film. When McCrea enters the picture though I feel it is never as strong. Also after you watch this movie you may find yourself saying "dam the torpedoes, full speed ahead!", a lot.
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.
DKosty123 This is a good comedy which is a period piece but works very well due to the talents of the cast. Jean Arthur is delightful in this doing the type of comedy she was born to do. Charles Coburn won a Deserved Oscar in support as Mr. Dingle who seems to have his nose into everybody's business.Joel McRea is out of the saddle here. His sequences with Jean Arthur seems to have some real spark and he seems a perfect straight man to her. George Stevens does a fine job handling the cast with support including Grady Sutton who had a much larger support role in The Bank Dick a few years earlier. This is a Columbia Picture which is very well constructed & still holds up are quite amusing.The setting is World War 2 in Washington DC with the actual housing shortage going on. This would be remade later as Walk Don't Run with Cary Grant in Colburns role in the mid 1960's. Both are good pictures though Colburn was not near the end of his career here, where Grant was near it in the later picture.
ksneath This old, wartime, mostly-forgotten-about little film is a real gem. In a genre that tends to rely on clichés and overused story lines, "The More the Merrier" clearly stands out. The acting, directing, and cinematography are all excellent. Arthur, McCrea and Coburn are all in top form and have a lot of meat to chew in this zany comedy-romance.The country is at war, and the nation's capitol is short on living space and long on eligible young ladies. Jean Arthur plays one such girl who wants to do her patriotic duty and lease half of her spacious apartment to some other young lady in need of a place to stay.That's great in theory, but when a jolly, resourceful, don't-blink-twice retired millionaire (played by Coburn) finds himself unable to secure a hotel room a couple days in advance of his reservation, Miss Milligan (Arthur) finds that he is a tough customer to dissuade. And when Dingle (Coburn) runs into a patriotic young man (McCrea) working on a secret wartime assignment and in need of a room...What follows is great comedy and an engaging romance. Arthur is absolutely radiant and spot on with her expressions and lines in what may be her best film (with many other notables including Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Easy Living, and Shane to name a few). Coburn gets a wonderful part and makes the most of it, making him a joy to watch. McCrea fills in any remaining gap with another solid performance and good material to work with.Aside from the story and the actors, the cinematography, direction and a carefully planned set combines to form a couple unforgettable scenes between Arthur and McCrea. In the apartment, the two bedrooms face the outside wall and are separated by a thin, uninsulated wall. In the first remarkable scene, we experience the intimacy of these two characters as they converse through this wall, with the cleverly designed shot making it almost appear as if the two are in the same bed (quite remarkable for its time with the Production Code solidly in place).The second scene is one I will not describe, but is cleverly executed and makes for the perfect ending to this slick little film. The memory of this movie sticks in your mind, and it is a pleasant memory indeed. Seldom if ever have romantic comedies been this funny, well acted, and sweet. The More the Merrier stands on the very top rung of its genre. Highly recommended.