This romantic comedy from 1943 pokes fun at the housing shortage in Washington, DC during World War II, where prim, proper Constance “Connie” Milligan (played by Jean Arthur) is looking to sublet her well-kept apartment as part of her patriotic duty.

Unexpectedly, she agrees to rent half to traveling businessman and subversive cupid Benjamin Dingle (Charles Coburn). Dingle then turns around and rents half his half to handsome Sgt. Joe Carter (Joel McCrea) who is soon to be sent off to fight.

Dingle first tries to hide Joe’s presence from Connie, but the houseguest apparently takes noisy showers, barking and singing enough to alert the suspicious landlady. Connie soon discovers her new tenant in the hall while each is dressed in robes. It’s all so scandalous that she demands both Dingle and the sergeant leave at once.

However, the rent money has been spent on a new hat. So, with no refund forthwith coming, she agrees to let them stay the rest of the week, but they must adhere to her strict morning regiment schedule of bathroom opportunities and allotted time for breakfast.

There is no YouTube link this week. But if you want a few movie clips you can try the TCM Archive viewer <u>here</u>.

Quick trivia: This move was remade in 1966 as “Walk, Don’t Run” with Cary Grant, Samantha Eggar and Jim Hutton, taking place in the crowded apartments of Tokyo during the Olympics. Bathing plays a much bigger part in that updated version, since the Japanese take their onsen very seriously.