The Kettles in the Ozarks (1956)

Ma and the kids head back to the Ozarks for a visit with Pa's brother Uncle Sedge. He's working his way through a twenty years long relationship with Miss Bedelia Baines.

Director:

Charles Lamont

Writer:

Kay Lenard

Stars:

Marjorie Main, Arthur Hunnicutt, Una Merkel

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Marjorie Main	...	Ma Kettle
Arthur Hunnicutt	...	Sedgewick Kettle
Una Merkel	...	Miss Bedelia Baines
Ted de Corsia	...	Professor
Olive Sturgess	...	Nancy Kettle
Dave O'Brien	...	Conductor
Richard Eyer	...	Billy Kettle
Cheryl Callaway	...	Susie Kettle
Joe Sawyer	...	Bancroft Baines
Sid Tomack	...	Benny
Louis Da Pron	...	Mountaineer
Harry Hines	...	Joe
Jim Hayward	...	Jack Dexter (as James Hayward)

Storyline

Ma and the kids head back to the Ozarks for a visit with Pa's brother Uncle Sedge. He's working his way through a twenty years long relationship with Miss Bedelia Baines.

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Taglines:

AMERICA'S FUNNIEST FAMILY brews up a roaring RIOT in the HAPPY OZARK HILLS!

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

G

Did You Know?

Trivia

Bonnie Franklin's film debut.

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Goofs

Ma tells the train conductor that she and Pa have sixteen children. In all of the previous films, they had fifteen children. It is specifically mentioned that the six and a half year old Billy is the youngest so Ma did not have another child in the interim.

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Connections

Follows Ma and Pa Kettle at Waikiki (1953)

User Reviews

some big names save this chapter of the Kettle family

"Ozarks" opens with the Kettle family making a scene in the train station... and the slapstick comedy and antics continue when they finally get on the train. The Kettles, minus Pa, are on their way to visit Pa's brother in the Ozarks. This was the second-to-last episode in the collection. Keep an eye out for big stars Richard Deacon (was Mel Cooley on D.V.Dyke Show) as Big Trout, the Indian, and Una Merkel, (old time movie star) is Bedelia Baines. A twelve year old Bonnie Franklin (the Mom on One Day at a Time) is even in here as Betty ! About halfway through, we are introduced to the "bad guys", who are planning some sort of caper. Things move a little more slowly in this adventure... it was getting a little tired by this time. Ma Kettle yells "Come and Get it !" every few minutes, scaring the daylights out of everyone around. It's a pleasant mix of pratfalls and jokes. Fun running gag of a boot-wearing goose. Also a funny scene where all the farm animals get drunk...they probably wouldn't be allowed to make that scene today. This was the first one without Pa (Percy Kilbride), but Ma reads letters from him a couple times. Directed by Charles Lamont, who had directed about half of the "Kettle " films. He also worked with the Three Stooges, as well as Abbott and Costello, so he certainly worked with the Pros!

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

April 1956 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal International Pictures (UI)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

81 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1