14 Mar The More the Merrier
The More the Merrier, WWII Movie starring Jean Arthur, Joel McCrea and Charles Coburn
(1943) The More the Merrier is an award-winning comedy about the severe housing shortage in Washington DC during World War II.
Jean Arthur wants to do her patriotic duty so she advertises to sublet her two bedroom apartment. Charles Coburn, elderly millionaire, takes her up on it but then sublets his room to Joel McCrea.
McCrea was adorable in this film. His sideways glances reminded me of Harrison Ford. Charles Coburn stole the show and received an Oscar for it.
The More the Merrier struck home with me because I remember our mother, Hedy Johnson, telling us that when she was in Washington, DC, at one point she and two girlfriends were sharing an apartment with three guys. The ladies slept at night; the men during the day.
They would sleep sideways on the bed to make more room, and of course, their feet would hang over the end. One of the girl’s brother came to DC for a while and sometimes would sleep with them. The brother would sleep on the end next to his sister so it would be more “proper,” but Hedy said it was still a bit on the “wild side.”
That didn’t seem so far-fetched after I watched this movie.
The More the Merrier at amazon.com
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