Customer Rating: 
Summary: "There are two kinds of people..."
Comment: "There are two kinds of people - those who don't do what they want to do, so they write down in a diary about what they haven't done, and those who are too busy to write about it because they're out doing it!"
There is a housing shortage in Washington during the war, and when wealthy Benjamin Dingle (Charles Coburn) arrives early to his hotel for a meeting, he finds that he will not have a place to stay for two days. Frustrated but not defeated, he slyly acquires himself an apartment with Connie Milligan (Jean Arthur). She is not happy to be sharing a room with a man, let alone a man who cannot even follow a schedule properly, but she resigns herself to the situation. Then Dingle invites a soldier (Joel McCrea) on leave to stay in half of his half of the apartment and makes a profit from it. Joe obviously likes Connie and she tries to hide her admiration for him too, but she is engaged to a much older and incredibly high strung businessman, Mr. Pendergast (Richard Gaines).
If you never had a fondness for Arthur, watch The More the Merrier. She is just gorgeous in all of her scenes and her costumes are to die for. It is fun to watch her small emotional changes too. Not once does she go over the top with her acting; she always gets a laugh when appropriate and becomes vulnerable when we need to like her character. She was a master actress, and is certainly one of the most underrated leading ladies of the golden age. She and McCrea are wonderful together, and aided by director George Stevens' soft lighting, their scenes are very romantic. The film is very funny too; each of the characters contribute to the fun. This movie has something for everyone and is a real gem.
Customer Rating: 
Summary: The more the merrier
Comment: Made in 1943 by the great George Stevens, it is highly entertaining with Jean Arthur at her best. Charles Coburn won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his role as the crafty old guy who put the young couple into position to fall in love.
Customer Rating:
Summary: One of the best!
Comment: I can't say much here that hasn't already been said. I LOVE this movie! I don't know why it doesn't get more play. Jean Arthur's explosive crying made ME laugh until I cried. I don't think I had seen Joel McCrea in anything before this, but I definitely took notice of him after seeing this movie (and by the way, according to IMDB, Katherine Hepburn thought he was one of the best actors she had ever worked with). I was surprised by the sexual tension between McCrea and Arthur, and as another post has mentioned, the not so subtle innuendo. I mean this was the 40's and married couples were still shown as having separate beds into the 50's (I Love Lucy). Charles Coburn's character frustrates me sometimes, but he is so lovable in this. There is never a dull moment and when you think it is going to have a cliche ending it surprises you and manages not to be cheesy.
The remake, Walk, Don't Run isn't as good, but it has Cary Grant in it (need I say more?) taking over Coburn's character. It's worth watching if you love The More the Merrier.Walk Don't Run
Customer Rating:
Summary: Top Comedy
Comment: This movie is a topnotch comedy and one of the best to ever come out of Hollywood. It means a great cast and a great director, but the outstanding actor is Charles Coburn as a busy body poking his nose into other people`s private lives. There are many situations in the film that will have you smiling, chuckling, and laughing. Of course, Joel McCrea and Jean Arthur, are excellent performers. One of their best movies. Don`t miss this one. A must see.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Merrier and Merrier
Comment: Having watched George Stevens Jnr.'s documentary on his father, in which Joel McCrea, always self-deprecating, says he'd just finished a couple of movies, was a bit lazy and had a ranch to run, as his reason for not doing The More the Merrier, then to watch him prove he was perfect in the part. And George Stevens knew he would be. There are so many memorable moments in this film and I agree with another reviewer that it's easy to watch again and again. Jean Arthur, adorable in pyjamas and pigtails and Charles Coburn damning the torpedoes accompanied by the joyous film score. My fondest memory is Joe giving Connie the "wedding present" - a top grain, cowhide, travelling bag with all accessories and no strings attached - while he sits close beside her demonstrating its many facilities.
One or two reviewers seemed a bit exercised over the script's use of the word "Jap". I was born before the 2nd War and that was the word we used to describe the people who perpetrated the horrors of the Burma Railway and much else besides, for which no apology can atone, and for which no apology was given. (and yes, I've heard of Hiroshima). It is just a movie after all, and a very good one.
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