Mrs. Homer and I were not nearly as impressed with “The More the Merrier” as Bosley Crowther. Jean Arthur and Joel McRea turn in solid comedic performances but the story contains too many implausible elements to overlook. The movie was nominated for all the major Oscars and Charles Coburn won for best actor but in our judgment “The More the Merrier” is a 1943 flash in the pan.
“The More the Merrier” opening
The interesting thing about “Lady of Burlesque” is that it was “condemned” by the Roman Catholic National Legion of Decency because it “contains double-meaning lines, salacious dances and situations, and indecent costumes, presented against the background of a sensuous form of entertainment.” (See page 2 for the whole story.) It was a neat trick for Columbia to produce such a scandalous film while satisfying the conditions set forth by the Hays Office. The movie is based on the novel “The G-String Murders,” by Gypsy Rose Lee. It is supposed to be about strippers but I didn’t see anyone remove so much as an overcoat, even though much of the movie takes place in the ladies’ dressing room - HJS.