Johnny Doesn't Live Here Anymore

The "Housing Shortage Comedy" might have been a short-lived sub-genre of World War II-era comedy, but it produced some gems in its short lifespan. Among them is this antic, code-provoking jewel from Monogram Pictures.

Quebec-native Kathie Aumont (Simone Simon) finds herself sans shelter in Washington, D.C. Striking sparks with a shipping-out Marine (William Terry), Kathie convinces the handsome leatherneck to sublet his place to her. But he neglects to tell her he has lent his keys out to a veritable squadron of fly-by-night soldiers -- including a CPO (Robert Mitchum) looking to rendezvous with his bride and a buddy (James Ellison) who strikes some sparks with Kathie all on his own.

The sparkling screwball comedy AND SO THEY WERE MARRIED was originally released as JOHNNY DOESN'T LIVE HERE ANY MORE. French-Canadian girl Simone Simon leases a Washington DC apartment from Marine William Terry. Since the Nation's Capital is overcrowded (wartime, don't you know), Simon must put up with a steady parade of Terry's old cronies and girlfriends, all of whom have keys to the apartment. She also becomes the romantic bone of contention between Terry and his sailor pal James Ellison. The last half of the film is dominated by Robert Mitchum as a Chief Petty Officer, who wants to rent the apartment for himself and his wife. A whimsical touch is added by the presence of midget Jerry Maren as a Cupid-like gremlin, who takes great delight in complicating Simon's life. Blessed with a great cast, an above-average production values (especially for a Monogram release), this King Bros. production proved to be the last directorial effort of German expatriate Joe May. Watch for fleeting appearances by horror-film perennial Rondo Hatton as a well-dressed gentleman entering Simon's cab, and OUR GANG'S Mickey "Froggy" Laughlin as a ratchet-voiced kid.