Review of The More the Merrier (1943) by Chris G — 12 May 2013

Not once have I recommended a film that inspired a remake with Cary Grant starring. Once you have a Cary Grant version there is no need to go back. This would be the first. Cary Grant's Walk Don't Run was a remake of The More the Merrier and they both stand equally sturdy in their time. It helps that the character Cary Grant made in the 60s was originated by Charles Coburn. Coburn playing Mr. Dingle adds a fatherly role absent in the Cary Grant version. I will always think of Grant as handsome and leading man. Coburn, immediately, was the elderly man with a few pranks up his sleeve to encourage the chemistry between Milligan (Jean Arthur) and Carter (Joel McCrae). This plot was entiely new when The More the Merrier was made which adds to the richness of its stamp on history; Walk Don't Run was not new, just redone.

I believe that the element that stitched this movie together so perfectly was the actors in it. There is nothing extraordinary about the filming style or the themes, its your simple romantic comedy, so I'll stick to the acting. Nobody but McCrae could fall in love with Arthur in less than a week and nobody but Coburn could convince McCrae that he pursue after Arthur as well as poke Arthur into being romanced by McCrae. Coburn, he was the magic of the movie, all applause is due him. "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!" He's a cupid without a bow and wings so his words and slapstick timing are the fuel to put in motion this zany but sweet story of a fully crowded apartment and the lovebirds inside.