The More The Merrier

The More The Merrier

Usually when we think of the chemistry between movie characters, we think of the magnetism between lovers, the sisterhood of girlfriends, or the camaraderie between best buddies. In The More The Merrier, the engaging synergy of three roommates is one of the most entertaining ingredients of this situation comedy.

Mr. Benjamin Dingle (Charles Coburn), a twinkle-eyed, elderly gentleman, arrives in Washington, DC two days in advance of his hotel reservation.

Miss Connie Milligan (Jean Authur), an organized and sensible young woman, has placed an ad in the newspaper to rent a spare room in her small apartment. You see, there is a severe housing shortage in the nation’s capital during WWII.

Mr. Dingle arrives at the apartment before Miss Milligan only to find a small gathering of people interested in the room. Of course, Miss Milligan intends to rent the room to a lady.

But through deception Mr. Dingle successfully presents himself as the only prospective tenant. With persuasive phrases he convinces her to let him stay.Miss Milligan devises a morning schedule for the two of them.

Accompanied by a map of the apartment, she explains the minutely-timed crisscrossing itinerary to Mr. Dingle. However, things don’t go quite as planned the next morning. The ensuing sight gags, teetering on the verge of believability, make up the second of the most entertaining ingredients.

While leaving the apartment that morning Mr. Dingle encounters another hopeful tenant, Mr. Joe Carter (Joel McCrea), a sergeant leaving for Africa in a week on a secret mission. Mr. Dingle decides to play matchmaker. He invites Mr. Carter to sublet half of his room. That evening it’s Mr. Dingle who directs the hallway traffic, where, inevitably, Mr. Carter and Miss Milligan cross paths.

The amusingly clever dialogue between these three characters is the third most entertaining ingredient of this delightful comedy.

The stage is set for romance to begin. Miss Milligan is a cute woman with a flare of sophistication. In the evening she wears a small mink cape, adorned with flowers, over her shoulders. Around the house she wears high-heeled slippers.

Mr. Carter is a tall and handsome young man with an easy-going manner. But at breakfast the next morning we learn that Miss Milligan is engaged to be married to Mr. Pendergast, a middle-aged, established man, possessing a fastidious nature. Never the less, Mr. Dingle is not deterred from his mission.

A myriad of complications arise. Miss Milligan catches Mr. Dingle reading her diary. Mr. Carter learns first hand that there are eight women to each man in Washington. On a hot tip the FBI accuses Mr. Carter of being a spy.

Our four characters end up in the FBI office where personality flaws and shocking revelations are discovered. But Mr. Dingle is there to save the day - eventually.

Now, if you are the type of viewer prone to wander about the house retrieving creature comforts while the disc spins, please pause the movie before walking away. You do not want to miss the stoop scene. Front porch, entrance ways, and stoop scenes are often, like this one, pivotal scenes.

Here you will see demonstrated the very definition of 'necking.' It’s absolutely lovely. Be sure to follow the mink cape. Its movements add a beautiful touch that mirrors the delicate dance of the first kiss.

Like all comedies made during WWII, The More The Merrier was designed to take the worries of war off the minds of the movie goers, at least for a while.

Seventy years later this timeless classic continues to entertain and delight fans whatever their worries.

Charles Coburn won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. The More The Merrier was nominated for five other Academy Awards.

The remake, Walk, Don’t Run, starring Cary Grant, Tim Hutton, and Samantha Eggar was released in 1966 and takes place in Tokyo during the Olympic Games.

FemaleFirst Wilma Beacher