Ma and Pa Kettle (1949)

My Review

After the smashing success of 1947’s “The Egg and I,” Universal-International launched Marjorie Main and Percy Kilbride into their own movie series. “Ma and Pa Kettle” was the first in this film franchise that lasted ten years producing nine motion pictures.

The story has the Kettles moving into a brand new, all electric home as a result of Pa winning a contest. All goes well until he accused of cheating, and pandemonium breaks out with all sorts of craziness ensuing. Crisp direction by Charles Lamont (“Slave Girl” 1947) and an imaginative screenplay by Al Lewis and Herbert Margolis begot a hit at the box office for Universal Pictures.

Main and Kilbride were at the top of their game here, personifying the hillbilly couple with fifteen children who were mired in abject poverty. The unabashed lazy attitude of Pa Kettle was no doubt the cause. Co-stars include Richard Long, Meg Randall, Esther Dale, Emory Parnell, and O. Z. Whitehead.