It’s been well documented that movies got a bit tame after 1933, once the Hays Code was consistently enforced. Prior to that, film had become a tawdry sex, drug, and crime riddled pleasure-spree. The films of that period were titillating, but it got to a point where some were aiming for little more than one-upping the shock value of whatever came before it. Thus, the enforcement of the code is given credit, initially, for ushering in the Golden Age. It takes far more creativity to tell a story in subtle ways, and all that sex and angst was redirected into suspense and Screwball Comedy. Of course, the code went a bit too far, and it’s also blamed for the fifties being considered the weakest decade in film history (with exceptions, of course). But somewhere in between, and within the code itself, there were things that were circumstantially permitted, such as anything that had to do with our brave fighting men during World War II.

Every genre of film tackled the drama of a soldier shipping out, returning, on leave, or a stranger in a strange place, etc… and everything that involved those situations was generally given more permission than usual. I bring this all up in introduction of today’s meme: “Favorite Kiss,” because the 1943 movie, The More the Merrier has one of the most sensual of such moments as you’ll find in the entire decade. The situation is a bit racy, as it involves an affianced girl with a man she’s recently met. Of course, she just met him the other day in her hallway, coming out of the shower, because there’s a housing shortage in D.C., and she’s trying to do her part for the war effort… Did I mention this was also a Screwball Comedy? The film rather remarkably makes light of the heightened emotions surrounding the early days of the war and how that made for fast relationships and hasty decisions.

But these leads are very appealing, and we would allow them a lot of latitude regardless. Jean Arthur is darling per usual as the girl trying to maintain her dignity and composure as she gets increasingly in over her head. She was indispensable in the thirties and early forties for this sort of role, and this is probably my favorite of her performances. Joel McCrea is actually more than a soldier shipping out; some sort of secret mission or office is alluded to, and of course, he can’t talk about it. There is something very upright about McCrea as an actor; he’s a strange cross between Gary Cooper and Jimmy Stewart, but with a very ordinary masculinity thrown in. I didn’t at all expect to like him, but in this and the brilliant The Palm Beach Story, he’s got this rather warm manliness that makes for some sexy moments.

So the permissiveness of the scenario and the appeal of the players combine to give us this fabulous scene between Connie and Joe. It’s perfectly alright with the audience that she’s about to throw-over her fiance; after all, there must be something wrong with a guy who’s not going off to fight (there are a number of movies I’ve seen with the same: soldier steals girl from man who isn’t enlisted). It’s also absolutely fine that Joe is sneaking his hands all over Connie, and is essentially seducing her on her stoop. It’s also fine that she’s showing a bit of skin, because it’s all the better for him to take advantage of, and he’s a good guy. He’s also Joel McCrea, and for some reason, the Code just let him have his way with women. Jean Arthur is a good girl though, so everything is going to be fine.

Oh, and did I mention that this film was directed by George Stevens? I could (and who am I kidding, I probably will someday) write a whole blog just about my love for him and the sensitive eye of his camera. He loves to give his actors long shots, and doesn’t use close-ups indiscriminately, but there’s also a feeling in his films that he’s giving the characters their privacy. There are a number of movies where he’s had kisses taking place behind doors nearly closed or from long-distance. He’s not shy here though, and thank goodness Connie stops being coy too. It’s one of the most purely sensual kisses ever, and I think these two kids just might have a shot… once that damn war is over.