Ma and Pa Kettle Go to Town (1950)

When Pa wins a jingle-writing contest, he and Ma head for New York City. They they get in trouble with gangsters when they lose some stolen money which they had already agreed to deliver to one of the thugs.

Director:

Charles Lamont

Writers:

Martin Ragaway (story), Leonard Stern (story),

Stars:

Marjorie Main, Percy Kilbride, Richard Long

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Marjorie Main	...	Phoebe 'Ma' Kettle
Percy Kilbride	...	Frank 'Pa' Kettle
Richard Long	...	Tom Kettle
Meg Randall	...	Kim Parker Kettle
Gregg Martell	...	Louie
Charles McGraw	...	Shotgun Mike Munger
Kathryn Givney	...	Mrs. Victoria Masterson
Jim Backus	...	Joseph 'Little Joe' Rogers
Elliott Lewis	...	Detective Sam Boxer
Paul McVey	...	Harold Masterson
Bert Freed	...	Dutch, Third New York Henchman
Hal March	...	Det. Mike Eskow
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Barbara Brown	...	Elizabeth Parker (scenes deleted)
Ray Collins	...	Jonathan Parker (scenes deleted)

Storyline

When Pa wins a jingle-writing contest, he and Ma head for New York City. They they get in trouble with gangsters when they lose some stolen money which they had already agreed to deliver to one of the thugs.

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Plot Keywords:

new york city | stolen money | gangster | flat tire | milking a cow | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 April 1950 (USA)

Also Known As:

Dois Caipiras: Nas Altas Rodas

Filming Locations:

Courthouse Square, Backlot, Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal International Pictures (UI)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

79 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

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

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Quotes

Pa Kettle: Three bathrooms and I still can't get in.
Ma Kettle: Ya got to expect that when ya got 15 kids.
Pa Kettle: Maybe we should have had less kids and more bathrooms.

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Connections

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

User Reviews

I Like It, I Really Like It

I purchased the DVD which contained "Ma and Pa Kettle Go To Town" on deep discount. I have very fond memories of seeing the "Ma and Pa Kettle" movies on Television when I was a child. Of course, the things which make a seven year old laugh and the things which make a 37 year old laugh are often very different. When I watched this movie, though, I was surprised to see that I still found it quite enjoyable. In particular, I was quite impressed at Percy Kilbride's comic skills as Pa Kettle. He had a wonderful deadpan delivery. Marjorie Main gives the same robust performance which she brought to almost all her roles as a character actress, and, as always, it is fun.

In general, don't look at this film for great plot, or production values, but its got wonderful comic acting, and some genuine laughs.