The More the Merrier (1943)

Director:

George Stevens

Writers:

Robert Russell (story) and
Frank Ross (story) ...

Release Date:

23 October 1943 (Sweden)

Genre:

Comedy | Romance

Tagline:

Home is where you hang your guests!

Plot:

During the WW2 housing shortage in Washington, two men and a woman share a single apartment and the older man plays Cupid to the other two.

Plot Keywords:

Apartment | Housing Shortage | Washington D.C. | Elderly | Schedule

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 1 win & 5 nominations

Cast

Jean Arthur	...	Constance 'Connie' Milligan
Joel McCrea	...	Joe Carter
Charles Coburn	...	Benjamin Dingle
Richard Gaines	...	Charles J. Pendergast
Bruce Bennett	...	FBI Agent Evans
Frank Sully	...	FBI Agent Pike
Clyde Fillmore	...	Sen. Noonan
Stanley Clements	...	Morton Rodakiewicz
Jean Stevens	...	Dancer (as Peggy Carroll)

Also Known As:

Merry-Go-Round (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

USA:104 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Certification:

Finland:K-16 | Sweden:Btl | USA:Approved

Company:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Trivia:

The unusual little car Connie's friends drive is a Fiat Topolino convertible. 'Topolino' means 'little mouse' in Italian.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Mr. Carter goes to take a shower after Miss Milligan returns home from work, he is shown wearing a bathrobe, socks and slippers. As he enters the bathroom, he removes his bathrobe, and then gets into the shower. But is he still wearing his socks? He must be, because he isn't shown taking them off.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Narrator: Our vagabond camera takes us to beautiful Washington, D.C., the national capital of our United States, situated on the broad banks of the Potomac River. Living is pleasant and leisurely... for it is a city of formality and custom. Manners and courtesy are responsible for the well-ordered conduct of its daily affairs...
[...]

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Budd Boetticher: A Man Can Do That (2005) (TV)

Soundtrack:

The Torpedo Song

One of the best movies ever!

I have always wanted to see The More the Merrier because I heard good things about it. I finally saw it, and I would recommend it to anyone. Not only is it a funny, funny film, it is also so sweet and tender. The scene on the porch between Jean Arthur and Joel McCrea is very romantic and funny at the same time. Charles Coburn, as the older room renter, is very, very good and gives a hilarious performance that won him an Academy Award. Jean Arthur, in a nominated performance, was as funny as usual, she also has many cool hairstyles. Joel McCrea is also excellent in his role. This was one of the best movies I have ever seen. I suggest that anyone who has wanted to see it, go do so.