"The More the Merrier" is co-written by four screenwriters, Richard Flournoy, Lewis R. Foster, Frank Ross, Robert Russell, and a surprisingly well-integrated screenplay effort, indeed. Jean Arthur is Connie Milligan, the centrifuge of attention; Joel McCrea is Joe Carter the unexpected distraction; and Charles Coburn is Benjamin Dingle, the ultimate Mr. Cupid connection. Miss A is comedienne Goddess alright: Connie is rigidly constrained but not exactly, wants everything according to her plan as expected, demanding adoration & affection at the same time, and capable of delivering very long sentences or speech unfalteringly without a grimace. She's one ball of spitfire, Miss Arthur - Hallelujah and Amen. Perfect casting to match Miss A's quick wit and skillful acting are tall, down-to-earth handsome Joel McCrea and cool, calm, but casual Charles Coburn. My fondness of this movie gem grew with each repeat viewing - appreciating all the nuanced moments evolved, sparked by the irresistible chemistry between Miss A and McCrea, and the endless humor and fun Coburn generates with his twinkling eye. Who would think the mundane subject of 'rent a room' can turn into such combustible drama! What a threesome to watch.
The comedic tempo is at its prime impeccable timing as the circumstance on how Arthur's Connie discovers a third party when she came home unaware of McCrea's Joe being in the apartment, as he was simultaneously unaware that the place belongs to a woman landlord, as Coburn's Mr. Dingle did not mention such 'inconsequential' detail when he sublet his rented room to Joe. Adding to the amusing situation is the rhythmic music that anyone (yes, viewers included) would want to swing to anywhere: in the room waiting to use the bathroom, in the hallway just coming out of the bathroom, in the doorway 'hair-raisingly' watching the consequential moment to occur. Imagine the three in that scene - of course you have to see it to thoroughly marvel such flawless pacing at the superb ensemble performance of the trio and the ingenious direction of Stevens, with the deft artistry of editor and sound, cinematography, set decoration, costume and prop design, all inclusive. Joel McCrea swaying in his robe, bare-footed, is simply endearing to watch. Jean Arthur's face as she came out looking so surprised is precious to behold. She is a Goddess who can take any comedic riff and be comfortable with making fun of herself. Bravo! (Can't resist mentioning about the bit with Dingle's pants - truly a quiet hilarious 'Chaplin-est' sequence, indisputably so.)
"The More the Merrier" (1943) is actually romantic to the core - the back and forth interplay between Arthur and McCrea is romance in poetry, and the bantering dialog is at once buoyantly merry and witty. Charles Coburn's nonchalant front while playing cupid on the sly is so easy to swallow whole, taking in along with his impish whims and humor. You can see Coburn in another film with Arthur, director Sam Wood's savory "The Devil and Miss Jones" (1941) where Coburn is in a front and center substantial role as an executive incognito - boss to Arthur without her awareness (again) - chaotic fun involving mistaken identity assumptions entangled. In a different subdued role in director Irving Cummings' returning soldier adjusting to family life 'dramady' "The Impatient Years" (1944), Coburn plays the discerning father to Arthur, providing sensible solution to her marriage woes.
Yet another absolutely must see is director George Steven's "Talk of the Town" (1942) with the stellar ensemble of Cary Grant, Jean Arthur and Ronald Colman. (My user comments posted on IMDb on 20 April 1999 at "imdb.com/title/tt0035417/usercomments-1").
The comedic tempo is at its prime impeccable timing as the circumstance on how Arthur's Connie discovers a third party when she came home unaware of McCrea's Joe being in the apartment, as he was simultaneously unaware that the place belongs to a woman landlord, as Coburn's Mr. Dingle did not mention such 'inconsequential' detail when he sublet his rented room to Joe. Adding to the amusing situation is the rhythmic music that anyone (yes, viewers included) would want to swing to anywhere: in the room waiting to use the bathroom, in the hallway just coming out of the bathroom, in the doorway 'hair-raisingly' watching the consequential moment to occur. Imagine the three in that scene - of course you have to see it to thoroughly marvel such flawless pacing at the superb ensemble performance of the trio and the ingenious direction of Stevens, with the deft artistry of editor and sound, cinematography, set decoration, costume and prop design, all inclusive. Joel McCrea swaying in his robe, bare-footed, is simply endearing to watch. Jean Arthur's face as she came out looking so surprised is precious to behold. She is a Goddess who can take any comedic riff and be comfortable with making fun of herself. Bravo! (Can't resist mentioning about the bit with Dingle's pants - truly a quiet hilarious 'Chaplin-est' sequence, indisputably so.)
"The More the Merrier" (1943) is actually romantic to the core - the back and forth interplay between Arthur and McCrea is romance in poetry, and the bantering dialog is at once buoyantly merry and witty. Charles Coburn's nonchalant front while playing cupid on the sly is so easy to swallow whole, taking in along with his impish whims and humor. You can see Coburn in another film with Arthur, director Sam Wood's savory "The Devil and Miss Jones" (1941) where Coburn is in a front and center substantial role as an executive incognito - boss to Arthur without her awareness (again) - chaotic fun involving mistaken identity assumptions entangled. In a different subdued role in director Irving Cummings' returning soldier adjusting to family life 'dramady' "The Impatient Years" (1944), Coburn plays the discerning father to Arthur, providing sensible solution to her marriage woes.
Yet another absolutely must see is director George Steven's "Talk of the Town" (1942) with the stellar ensemble of Cary Grant, Jean Arthur and Ronald Colman. (My user comments posted on IMDb on 20 April 1999 at "imdb.com/title/tt0035417/usercomments-1").