Ma and Pa Kettle at the Fair (1952)

Ma and Pa are trying to raise enough money at the county fair to send their daughter Rosie to college. Ma competes in baking and Pa enters a trotter in a horse race, while Rosie takes up with handsome young Marvin Johnson.

Director:

Charles Barton

Writers:

John Grant, Jack Henley (story),

Stars:

Marjorie Main, Percy Kilbride, James Best

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Marjorie Main	...	Phoebe 'Ma' Kettle
Percy Kilbride	...	Frank 'Pa' Kettle
James Best	...	Marvin Johnson
Lori Nelson	...	Rosie Kettle
Esther Dale	...	Birdie Hicks
Emory Parnell	...	Billy Reed
Oliver Blake	...	Geoduck
Russell Simpson	...	Clem Johnson
Rex Lease	...	Sheriff

Storyline

Ma and Pa are trying to raise enough money at the county fair to send their daughter Rosie to college. Ma competes in baking and Pa enters a trotter in a horse race, while Rosie takes up with handsome young Marvin Johnson.

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Plot Keywords:

horse race | county fair | church | rope | mother daughter relationship | 

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Genres:

Comedy

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 July 1952 (USA)

Also Known As:

Ma and Pa Kettle at the County Fair

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:

78 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

An animated trailer was created for this film by Walter Lantz.

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Quotes

Pa Kettle: [filling in for the preacher] I don't know how to preach a sermon, I can't quote Scriptures, although I know all the words, I wouldn't know how to put them together, but I can speak from my heart. I can say how thankful I am that I have Ma and the kids, I'm thankful for the food we get nd the clothes we wear. A lot of folks are always asking God for something instead of being thankful for what they got. I figure if He wants you to have it, it'll come to you because you deserve it. He gave us the...

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Connections

Followed by Ma and Pa Kettle Go to Paris (1953)

User Reviews

Ma and Pa Kettle Stay Home

Marjorie Main and Percy Kilbride in "Ma and Pa Kettle at the Fair" have suddenly acquired an attractive, well-spoken college-bound daughter, with the arrival of pretty blonde Lori Nelson (as Rosie Kettle). She and handsome boyfriend James Best (as Marvin Johnson) are obviously cast as replacements for eldest son "Tom" and wife "Kim" (who have moved to another town). To raise money for their sprouted daughter's education, "Ma" wants to enter her jam in the annual "Cape Flattery County Fair" contest. But, in a mix-up, she enters her name in a horse-racing event. Now, "Pa" must get tired old "Emma" ready to race.

This unusually routine "Ma and Pa Kettle" film series entry has none of the satirical culture clashing situations which made the earlier films so funny, though there are a few good gags. Also notably absent are the brood of wild, rambunctious children; herein, they've been practically tamed. The "childrun" we were previously advised to "beware of" now turn off the television and go to bed when asked, and sweetly sing "Bringing in the Sheaves" in church. One of the film's best bits is how the Kettle kids drop coins in the church collection plate; it almost serves as a protest against the script, which offers only a little fun.

***** Ma and Pa Kettle at the Fair (7/11/52) Charles Barton ~ Marjorie Main, Percy Kilbride, Lori Nelson, James Best