Movie spotlight
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.
In Washington D.C. during the housing crisis of World War II, three strangers end up sharing a tiny apartment. Connie Milligan, a government stenographer, rents out her spare room to Alice Henderson, unaware that Henderson has already sublet it to Joe Carter, an airman. To make ends meet, Connie and Joe must share a room, leading to comical situations and a budding romance.
The More the Merrier was a critical and commercial success, widely praised for its witty script, sharp direction, and outstanding performances, particularly from Jean Arthur and Charles Coburn. It was seen as a delightful escape during wartime, offering both humor and heartwarming romance.
Praised for its rapid-fire dialogue and clever premise.
Charles Coburn's performance as the meddling boarder was a standout, earning him an Oscar.
A charming and hilarious romantic comedy that perfectly captures the spirit of its time.
Google audience: Audience reception data from Google is not readily available for this classic film, but historical reviews indicate widespread enjoyment of its comedic timing and romantic entanglement.
Nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actress (Jean Arthur). Charles Coburn won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
The film's famous "kissing scene" was largely improvised by Jean Arthur and Joel McCrea, who were so caught up in the moment that director George Stevens let them continue filming.
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I’d have liked a bit more from Charles Coburn in this, but he still features engagingly enough as the man who facilitates the meeting of his unexpectedly acquired landlady “Connie” (Jean Arthur) to the man he has sub-let one half of his bed...