The Egg and I (1947)

On their wedding night Bob informs his new bride Betty that he has bought a chicken farm. An abandoned chicken farm, to be exact, which is obvious when the two move in. Betty endures Bob's ... See full summary »

Director:

Chester Erskine

Writers:

Betty MacDonald (novel), Chester Erskine (written for the screen by),

Stars:

Claudette Colbert, Fred MacMurray, Marjorie Main

Nominated for 1 Oscar.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Claudette Colbert	...	Betty MacDonald
Fred MacMurray	...	Bob MacDonald
Marjorie Main	...	Phoebe 'Ma' Kettle
Louise Allbritton	...	Harriet Putnam
Percy Kilbride	...	Frank 'Pa' Kettle
Richard Long	...	Tom Kettle
Billy House	...	Billy Reed
Ida Moore	...	Old Lady
Donald MacBride	...	Mr. Henty
Samuel S. Hinds	...	Sheriff
Esther Dale	...	Birdie Hicks
Elisabeth Risdon	...	Betty's Mother
John Berkes	...	Geoduck
Victor Potel	...	Crowbar (as Vic Potel)
Fuzzy Knight	...	Cab Driver

Storyline

On their wedding night Bob informs his new bride Betty that he has bought a chicken farm. An abandoned chicken farm, to be exact, which is obvious when the two move in. Betty endures Bob's enthusiasm for the rural life, rustic inconveniences, and battling nature, but her patience is severely tested when glamorous neighbor Harriet Putnam seems to set her sights on Bob.

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Plot Keywords:

farm | chicken | chicken farm | neighbor | children | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

May 1947 (USA)

Also Known As:

Das Ei und ich

Filming Locations:

Santa Clarita, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal International Pictures (UI)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

108 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

First of eight films in which Marjorie Main and Percy Kilbride portrayed Ma and Pa Kettle.

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Goofs

Cleopatra the pig has a string attached to its hind leg, probably pulled by its handler off screen.

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Connections

Followed by Ma and Pa Kettle at the Fair (1952)

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Soundtracks

"City Across the River"
(uncredited)
Music by Larry Russell

User Reviews

Still Funny

Having not seen this picture in years, I wondered if it would still be enjoyable. It is. Claudette Colbert is superb as Betty MacDonald, the author of the best selling book of what this is based upon, uprooting herself from the big city to accompany her husband (Fred MacMurray) on a farming dream. Their trials and tribulations are amusing and cute; MacMurray is well-cast. The film introduced the zany characters of Ma and Pa Kettle (Marjorie Main and Percy Kilbride), parents of 15 children, who were a huge hit and spawned their own series of 9 films (2 without Percy). However, my favorite character is Harriet Putnam, deliciously portrayed by Louise Allbritton, a slim, slinky, aristocratic, velvety voiced blonde beauty, with a yen for the burly MacMurray. She owns a very modern farm down the road, replete with farmhands, technology, conveniences, but "no Man." Her scenes with the jealous Colbert are priceless, and Allbritton shows a great flair for comic timing. This classic can be seen as an inspiration for two popular 1960s television comedy series, "Green Acres" and "The Beverly Hillbillies." Enjoy!