{"id":33154,"date":"2014-04-01T14:17:35","date_gmt":"2014-04-01T21:17:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=33154"},"modified":"2020-12-19T21:46:07","modified_gmt":"2020-12-20T04:46:07","slug":"more-the-merrier-the-1943-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=33154","title":{"rendered":"More the Merrier, The (1943)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;These days, Miss Milligan, everybody&#8217;s business is everyone&#8217;s business.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/More-the-Merrier-Poster.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/More-the-Merrier-Poster-198x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"198\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-33117\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/More-the-Merrier-Poster-198x300.png 198w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/More-the-Merrier-Poster-84x128.png 84w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/More-the-Merrier-Poster-677x1024.png 677w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/More-the-Merrier-Poster.png 977w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 198px) 100vw, 198px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nA retired millionaire (Charles Coburn) visiting Washington D.C. during a severe wartime housing shortage convinces a young woman (Jean Arthur) to share her apartment with him &#8212; then offers to rent half of his section to a G.I. (Joel McCrea) in hopes of setting up the young couple and distracting Arthur away from her impossibly dull fiance (Richard Gaines).\n<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>\n<strong>Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Charles Coburn Films<\/li>\n<li>George Stevens Films<\/li>\n<li>Jean Arthur Films<\/li>\n<li>Joel McCrea Films<\/li>\n<li>Love Triangle<\/li>\n<li>Romantic Comedy<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Response to Peary&#8217;s Review: <\/strong><br \/>\nPeary notes that this &#8220;sparkling George Stevens comedy&#8221; possesses &#8220;deft performances by the leads and brilliant dialogue by Robert Russell, Frank Ross, Richard Flourney, and [uncredited] Garson Kanin&#8221;. He points out that while &#8220;the ending fizzles a bit&#8221;, &#8220;along the way there are many great scenes&#8221; &#8212; including the classic sketch in which &#8220;Coburn and Arthur try to adhere to her impossibly rigid morning schedule&#8221;, but find that they &#8220;constantly bump into each other as their schedule goes awry&#8221;. Coburn won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his fun performance &#8212; though equally deserving is McCrea, &#8220;a truly underrated comic actor&#8221;, as evidenced specifically in &#8220;the scene in which [he and Coburn] lie on the roof reading the Sunday comics out loud&#8221;. Meanwhile, Arthur and McCrea do indeed &#8220;make an appealing romantic team&#8221;: the &#8220;scene in which they lie on single beds that are separated only by a thin wall&#8221; is particularly sensual and provocative, evoking &#8220;the classic &#8216;Walls of Jericho&#8217; bit in <a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=4138\"><em>It Happened One Night<\/em><\/a>.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>In his <em>Alternate Oscars<\/em> book, where he names Arthur Best Actress of the Year for her role as Constance Milligan, Peary elaborates on her impressive acting chops and delightful screen presence. He writes that she&#8217;s &#8220;thoroughly charming as a kind, unaggressive &#8212; she fights for herself, but doesn&#8217;t have the heart for it &#8212; underdog who is trapped in a dull life until two men magically appear&#8221;. He writes that &#8220;funny as she is&#8221; &#8212; she shows her skills as an exceptionally adroit slapstick comedienne &#8212; &#8220;what is most memorable about [her] characterization is how sexual it is.&#8221; Indeed, she shifts from a classically repressed &#8220;spinster&#8221; (engaged in name only) to a remarkably sensual creature, &#8220;quite physical [with McCrea] as they stroll and spin down the street&#8221; after a night out. She&#8217;s really a pleasure to behold, and we take delight in her complete transformation.    <\/p>\n<p>Finally, it&#8217;s impossible to discuss <em>The More the Merrier<\/em> without referencing its very specific historical context: during World War II, the housing shortage was so severe that many people felt it was their patriotic duty to take in boarders (an issue only very briefly mentioned <a href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/United_States_home_front_during_World_War_II\">here in Wikipedia&#8217;s article<\/a> about life on the American homefront during WWII). Meanwhile, there were apparently eight women for every available man (!), and fuel shortages necessitated waiting for a &#8220;full load&#8221; before taxis could take off. Despite the obvious challenges of the situation, there&#8217;s nonetheless vicarious enjoyment to be had in glimpsing this unique era in American history, one most film fanatics have likely never experienced.  To that end, while clearly presenting circumstances from a satirically over-the-top and humorously sanitized perspective, the film remains an interesting sociological time-capsule as well as a fun comedy. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Redeeming Qualities and Moments: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Jean Arthur as Constance Milligan<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/More-the-Merrier-Arthur.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/More-the-Merrier-Arthur-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-33118\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/More-the-Merrier-Arthur-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/More-the-Merrier-Arthur-128x72.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/More-the-Merrier-Arthur-300x168.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Charles Coburn, who deservedly won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role as Benjamin Dingle<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/More-the-Merrier-Coburn.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/More-the-Merrier-Coburn-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-33119\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/More-the-Merrier-Coburn-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/More-the-Merrier-Coburn-128x72.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/More-the-Merrier-Coburn-300x168.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Joel McCrea as Joe Carter<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/More-the-Merrier-McCrea2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/More-the-Merrier-McCrea2-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-33156\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/More-the-Merrier-McCrea2-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/More-the-Merrier-McCrea2-128x72.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/More-the-Merrier-McCrea2-300x168.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Fine direction by Stevens<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/More-the-Merrier-Split.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/More-the-Merrier-Split-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-33120\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/More-the-Merrier-Split-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/More-the-Merrier-Split-128x72.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/More-the-Merrier-Split-300x168.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Plenty of authentically sizzling romance between McCrea and Arthur<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/More-the-Merrier-Room-Still2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/More-the-Merrier-Room-Still2-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-33157\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/More-the-Merrier-Room-Still2-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/More-the-Merrier-Room-Still2-128x72.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/More-the-Merrier-Room-Still2-300x168.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/More-the-Merrier-Split-Bed.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/More-the-Merrier-Split-Bed-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-33158\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/More-the-Merrier-Split-Bed-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/More-the-Merrier-Split-Bed-128x72.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/More-the-Merrier-Split-Bed-300x168.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Fun &#8220;vintage footage&#8221; of wartime housing shortages<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/More-the-Merrier-No-Vacancy.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/More-the-Merrier-No-Vacancy-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-33122\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/More-the-Merrier-No-Vacancy-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/More-the-Merrier-No-Vacancy-128x72.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/More-the-Merrier-No-Vacancy-300x168.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/More-the-Merrier-Room-Wanted.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/More-the-Merrier-Room-Wanted-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-33123\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/More-the-Merrier-Room-Wanted-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/More-the-Merrier-Room-Wanted-128x72.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/More-the-Merrier-Room-Wanted-300x168.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nYes, for the fine lead performances. Nominated by Peary as one of the Best Films of the Year in his <em>Alternate Oscars<\/em>. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Categories<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Noteworthy Performance(s)<\/li>\n<li>Oscar Winner or Nominee<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Links: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0036172\/\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.dvdtalk.com\/dvdsavant\/s1424more.html\">DVD Savant Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.dvdtalk.com\/reviews\/12976\/more-the-merrier-the\/\">DVD Talk Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.classicfilmguide.com\/index79ce.html\">Classic Film Guide Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tcm.com\/tcmdb\/title\/27925\/the-more-the-merrier#articles-reviews?articleId=1074846\">TCM Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.timeout.com\/london\/film\/the-more-the-merrier\">Time Out Capsule Review<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;These days, Miss Milligan, everybody&#8217;s business is everyone&#8217;s business.&#8221; Synopsis: A retired millionaire (Charles Coburn) visiting Washington D.C. during a severe wartime housing shortage convinces a young woman (Jean Arthur) to share her apartment with him &#8212; then offers to rent half of his section to a G.I. (Joel McCrea) in hopes of setting up the young couple and distracting Arthur away from her impossibly dull fiance (Richard Gaines). Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors: Charles Coburn Films George Stevens Films&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=33154\"> Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-33154","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-responses-to-peary"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33154","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=33154"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33154\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":58558,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33154\/revisions\/58558"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=33154"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=33154"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=33154"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}