Mr. Dingle (Charles Coburn) is an amiable older gentleman who shows up in Washington D.C. to help with the housing problem. WWII is well underway, and the capitol city is literally over-flowing with people trying to do their patriotic duty. One such person is young, unmarried Constance Milligan (Jean Arthur). To help with the housing shortage, she advertizes to sublet half her apartment - and Mr. Dingle finagles his way in. Soon he decides that she needs a "high-type, clean-cut, nice young fellow." So he finagles his way further into her life by renting half of his half of the apartment to a young man named Sgt. Joe Carter (Joel McCrea). Who happens to be a high-type, clean-cut, nice young fellow. And very much available.
This is very definitely a "screwball" comedy. The storyline verges on the ridiculous, and everything is very much accelerated. (Though that seems to be the case in most romantic comedies; how do people fall in love that fast?) At the same time, a suspicious-minded person would call it "propaganda." Connie repeatedly says that subletting half her apartment is her "patriotic duty" - the implication being thus: Who knows what wonderful things could happen to you if you did your patriotic duty?
Ultimately, there were three things that sold me on this movie. First, it's one of those hilarious romantic comedies that very much follows the formula: One has an idiot significant other, but is thrown together with a different person due to unforeseen and unescapable circumstances. In just a few short days, the one and the different other find that they're in love, but neither wants to ruin anything by striking up a real relationship. And the list of the other romcom elements goes on. However, this movie is cleaner than most modern romantic comedies, though it has no fewer funny scenes. Second, I've seen the lead actor in another movie and really liked him. He's not a great actor, but I like the characters he portrays. Third, the characters are lovable. Connie is the sweetest thing. Joe is not quite as "high-type" as Mr. Dingle thinks, but he's still a good man. And Mr. Dingle is the perfect picture of a meddlesome older man who thinks he knows best for everyone - and really does.
My Rating: OK (thematic elements, very mild sexual content and references)
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