THE MORE THE MERRIER is one of many comedies exploiting the theme of crowded Washington during the WWII period--and one of the best. Personally, I thought it worked best until the point where CHARLES COBURN (in his Oscar-winning supporting role) was booted from JEAN ARTHUR's apartment over reading her diary.
From that point on, the screwball situations became less amusing and the film stretches credibility a bit too far when the comic situations include McCrea suspected of spying on government buildings with his binoculars.
The best moments come early in the film, when Arthur insists on clockwork timing to make getting up in the morning (with a roommate) workable. The frenzied rush to keep to her schedule makes for the most amusing moments in the story, thanks to the artful playing of CHARLES COBURN who is delightful as Mr. Dingle, the man who thinks that she deserves a nice, clean-cut young man rather than the stuffy fiancé she's engaged to. Along comes McCrea, and the rest of the plot has Coburn managing to bring the two lovebirds together.
Amusing spoof of manners and morals of the period, with JEAN ARTHUR and JOEL McCREA shining in the leads and Coburn doing a nimble job of the cupid-playing Dingle with tricks up his sleeve.
The last twenty minutes get a little tiresome, but overall it's a cheerful comedy well worth viewing.
From that point on, the screwball situations became less amusing and the film stretches credibility a bit too far when the comic situations include McCrea suspected of spying on government buildings with his binoculars.
The best moments come early in the film, when Arthur insists on clockwork timing to make getting up in the morning (with a roommate) workable. The frenzied rush to keep to her schedule makes for the most amusing moments in the story, thanks to the artful playing of CHARLES COBURN who is delightful as Mr. Dingle, the man who thinks that she deserves a nice, clean-cut young man rather than the stuffy fiancé she's engaged to. Along comes McCrea, and the rest of the plot has Coburn managing to bring the two lovebirds together.
Amusing spoof of manners and morals of the period, with JEAN ARTHUR and JOEL McCREA shining in the leads and Coburn doing a nimble job of the cupid-playing Dingle with tricks up his sleeve.
The last twenty minutes get a little tiresome, but overall it's a cheerful comedy well worth viewing.