The More the Merrier

Synopsis: It's World War II and there is a severe housing shortage everywhere - especially in Washington, D.C. where Connie Milligan rents an apartment. Believing it to be her patriotic duty, Connie offers to sublet half of her apartment, fully expecting a suitable female tenent. What she gets instead is mischievous, middle-aged Benjamin Dingle. Dingle talks her into subletting to him and then promptly sublets half of his half to young, irreverent Joe Carter - creating a situation tailor-made for comedy and romance.

Genre: Comedy, Romance, War

Director(s): George Stevens

Actors: Jean Arthur, Joel McCrea, Charles Coburn, Richard Gaines

Production: Columbia Pictures

Won 1 Oscar. Another 1 win & 5 nominations.


IMDB:: 7.9
Rotten Tomatoes:: 94%

Collection Edit Watch PDF Buy

: PASSED
Year:: 1943
: 104 min
: 71 Views

Our vagabond camera takes us to
beautiful Washington DC...
...the national capital of our United States.
Situated on the broad banks
of the Potomac River...
...living is pleasant, and leisurely.
For it is a city of formality and custom.
Manners and courtesy...
...are responsible for the well-ordered conduct
of its daily affairs.
The many fine restaurants
of Washington
are the delight of the epicurean
and the gourmet...
...where one may enjoy to the full,
the rare dishes of the Old South.
Washington's beautiful homes
have the quiet dignity of another day.
Our trip would be incomplete...
...if we neglected to visit the quiet,
staid and dignified residential section.
It is with pride that we view
hospitable Washington.
Friendly Washington...
...welcoming us to her doorstep...
...eagerly throwing wide her doors.
I'm sorry, there are no vacancies.
Positively NO vacancies!
I have a reservation.
Well, pardon me...
What was the name sir?
Benjamin Dingle...
Senator Newman made the reservation.
Well, just a moment, Mr Dingle.
Oh yes, we have the reservation.
Senator Newman engaged a suite,
beginning the 24th.
This is only the 22nd.
You're 2 days early.
Anything wrong with being 2 days early?
Why, no sir.
Everybody ought to be 2 days early.
When this nation gets 2 days early,
we'll be getting somewhere.
Yes, sir,
But unfortunately this suite won't be vacated
until day after tomorrow.
Can you connect me
with Senator Newman?
The senator's out of town.
When will he be back?
Well, he was due back
day before yesterday.
But he's...
2 days late.
Yes, sir.
Well, when Senator Newman gets back late...
tell him I was here early.
Yes, sir.
Are all you people here in answer to
the ad in the paper about the apartment?
- I am sir!
- I'll take it!
I'm sorry, but the apartment is all rented.
What do you mean, rented?
It isn't 5 o'clock yet!
I'm very sorry, but the apartment
is all rented.
If there should be another vacancy,
there'll be another ad.
May I ask why you put us
to the bother of coming here?
No, you may not.
Good day.
Like Admiral Farragut said...
"Damn the torpedoes,
full speed ahead."
- How do you do.
- How do you do.
- I'm Benjamin Dingle.
- You certainly are!
About the apartment.
I'm sorry, I've already rented it.
Just a moment, young lady...
Do you think you know me
well enough to lie to me?
Yes.
Even so, you shouldn't do it.
Do you realise that practically
most of the trouble in the world...
...comes from people lying to people.
Let's take Hitler, for instance...
I'm sorry, mister,
but I prefer...
Mr Dingle.
I prefer sharing my apartment
with a lady.
That's fine...
So would I.
I'm sure you'll be happier
some place else.
I've been there.
Now look, please,
think of my position...
I can't just go round just
renting my apartment to anybody.
I'm not just anybody.
Besides I'm only doing it because of
the housing congestion in Washington.
You said it!
I think it's my patriotic duty
to take somebody in, because...
...everything is so overcrowded.
I'm overcrowded.
Why don't you go to the YMCA?
Too old.
Or The Veteran's Home.
Too young.
Well, I don't know what to...
I'm sure you'll know then,
when I rent half this apartment.
Suppose I have a look at it, eh?
Say...you're pretty sure of yourself,
aren't you?
Once upon a time...
I mean, you wouldn't be happy here,
at all.
Home is where you hang your hat.
This way?
- Now, listen!...
- Just looking.
Just looking.
It's no use your looking,
because I've made up my mind...
...to rent to nobody but a woman.
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