The More the Merrier (1943)

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

Director:

George Stevens

Writers:

Robert Russell (screen play), Frank Ross (screen play)

Stars:

Jean Arthur, Joel McCrea, Charles Coburn

Won 1 Oscar. Another 1 win & 5 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Jean Arthur	...	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
Donald Douglas	...	FBI Agent Harding (as Don Douglas)
Clyde Fillmore	...	Senator Noonan
Stanley Clements	...	Morton Rodakiewicz

Storyline

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.

---

Plot Keywords:

screwball comedy | apartment | housing shortage | washington d.c. | elderly | 

---

Taglines:

"Sharing my bath and kitchen with two men...That drove me nuts!" (original Insert Card)

---

Genres:

Comedy | Romance | War

---

Certificate:

Passed

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 May 1943 (USA)

Also Known As:

Merry-Go-Round

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the scene where Benjamin Dingle is getting another pair of trousers out of his suitcase, he sings, "He scooped out a turnip to make him a-one," which is a line from an old Irish folk song named "Brian O'Lynn." The complete verse is: Now Brian O'Lynn had no watch to put on, So he scooped out a turnip to make himself one. He placed a young cricket all under the skin. "They'll think it's a-ticking," says Brian O'Lynn.

---

Goofs

After Joe gives Connie the travel bag and prepares to leave, she asks if he is going back to California. He replies, "No, Africa". The audio has been dubbed, as he as he is clearly not saying "Africa". He apparently is saying "Japan".

---

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. The many fine restaurants of Washington are the delight of the epicurean and the gourmet, where one may enjoy to the full the rare dishes of the old south. ...
[...]

---

Connections

Featured in Five Came Back: Combat Zones (2017)

---

Soundtracks

The Torpedo Song
(1943)
(Published as "Damn the Torpedos-Full Speed Ahead")
Music by Jay Gorney
Lyrics by Henry Myers & Edward Eliscu
Recited often by Charles Coburn (uncredited)
Sung by Coburn and other members of the Committee at the end

User Reviews

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.