JohnHowardReid Copyright 1 April 1947 by Universal Pictures Co. In. New York release at the Radio City Music Hall: 24 April 1947. U.S. release: May 1947. U.K. release: 18 August 1947. Sydney release at the State: 6 June 1947. Australian release: 19 June 1947. Australian length: 9,950 feet (110½ minutes). U.S. length: 108 minutes.SYNOPSIS: Husband buys sophisticated bride a run-down chicken farm in the wops.NOTES: As just about everybody knows, this was the film that introduced Ma and Pa Kettle — characters that were to prove so popular at the box-office, Universal brought them back for a long- running series on which authoress Betty MacDonald was able to retire. Basically her book, "The Egg and I", is a very humorous, very racy autobiography, in which much of the satire is leveled at her own expense. If she'd a mind, she could well have successfully sued herself for libel. Mr. Erskine has cleaned up the film version in some respects, substituting good honest dirt and slapstick for the pointed sexual and social barbs of the original.Nevertheless, the script is still amusing — even witty. Erskine's direction is equally adept and has some hilarious moments — ably assisted by the expert film editing of Russell Schoengarth who has the admirable habit of cutting away from a scene before the joke wears out or the sentiment gets too sticky.The performers are in first-class form. Sophisticated Colbert makes a delightful stooge and MacMurray is right in his no-nonsense element as the "she'll be all right" farmer. Photography and art direction are likewise A-1, while Frank Skinner's ding-dong breezy music score, superbly orchestrated with a rib-tickling cock crow, contributes greatly to the fun. A pity the "Ma and Pa Kettle" solo films come nowhere near the wit and expertise of this first appearance.COMMENT: Claudette Colbert's last really big box office hit. Perfectly cast and playing with an appropriately brisk competence, she is nevertheless out-shined by Marjorie Main who is an absolute delight. Some of the luster and novelty has rubbed off now because of the inferior Kettle series, but it's still a marvelous role. She was even nominated for the annual award for Best Supporting Actress (losing to Celeste Holm in "Gentleman's Agreement") — the only nomination she ever received from The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences! Miss Main receives most amusing support from Percy Kilbride, Esther Dale, Isabel O'Madigan and a host of other well-chosen bit players who come into their own at the dance; while Billy House impersonates Billy Reed far more engagingly than Emory Parnell who replaced him in the series. (Incidentally, the present print is the re-issued one with the credit titles rewritten so that Main and Kilbride are now billed as co-stars).Although it's a considerably watered-down version of the book with a new and conventional sub-plot involving Louise Allbritton's glamorous femme fatale, it's all played and directed in such a breezy, pacey, lively style, we don't really mind. Erskine keeps things moving along briskly, expertly juggling a host of amusing subsidiary characters.Filmed on a lavish budget (though obviously entirely within the studio except for a brief location sequence), beautifully photographed and rollickingly scored, "The Egg and I" fully deserved its box-office success.

dougdoepke Married couple Betty and Bob (Colbert & MacMurray) move from the city to the backwoods to take on an abandoned chicken ranch. Hilarity follows.What a chuckled-filled scene when wife Betty plops into the hog wallow following a failed attempt to outwit the pig. Then, along comes spic-&-span, husband-stealing Harriet (Albritten) to walk off with hubby Bob, leaving poor Betty wondering why she's corralling a pig instead of a city bus. It's a delightful film that really holds up despite the passing decades. Mac Murray and Colbert are near perfect in their comedy roles. Note how Bob never becomes dislikable despite his often airy unconcern, or how Betty never becomes maudlin despite the frequent frustrations. Then there are the colorful hayseeds—Ma Kettle (Main) who apparently took housekeeping lessons from Atilla the Hun and needs name tags around that wild pack of kids. And, of course, there's Pa Kettle, the slyest guy around, that is, when he's not begetting little Kettles. But what I really like is the barn dance. That corny band sort of chugs along while the dancers make up their own steps. But pity poor Betty, caught up with a collection of Arthur Murray dropouts who appear to confuse dancing with a mix-master.There were a number of these "back to the sticks" comedies during the period, including Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House (1948) and George Washington Slept Here (1942). The laughs are built into the premise of inept city folk trying to master country ways, but none are funnier or more delightful than this one.

DKosty123 Fred MacMurray & Claudett Colbert star in a romantic comedy which is pretty well done. More important in the long term was the supporting cast which they had - especially Percy Kilbride & Marjorie Main. This film is actually a movie pilot.The Kettle family was created here and became a series of films after starting in 1949. This family became dear to a lot of the film publics heart because it is the depression type big old farm family. Granted not every family featured Richard Long as a child as this one would, but the mom & pa that Main & Kilbride created resonated with the public strongly.This movie was a little better than the series of films because it does concentrate more on Fred & Claudette's plot, but overall the film is just a good one. If you are a fan of the Kettles, this film is essential in showing you where the idea of the folks started. It is interesting that Main's character also got a start with Abbott & Costello in The Wisful Widow Of Wagon Gap, but in spite of that, it took the balance with Kilbride to really round out her Ma Kettle character.

MartinHafer This movie won't change your life and it isn't the most memorable film I have ever seen. However, it is a lot of fun and a welcome change of pace. It's also a pretty good movie for the entire family.Fred MacMurray is married to Claudette Colbert (this pairing is a bit hard to believe, but I can live with that). Out of the blue, Fred announces that he's bored with his executive life and has sold everything to buy a chicken farm in the middle of nowhere. But, he and Claudette know nothing about farming and the "dream farm" turns out to be a real dump. Despite all this, Claudette is a real trooper and goes along with it instead of killing Fred in his sleep (which is what my wife kept suggesting as the film began). Along the way, they meet a lot of odd but nice characters, such as Ma and Pa Kettle (later, of the MA AND PA KETTLE series). They also meet a divorced woman who seems to have her sights set on Fred, though he refuses to believe this.There's a lot more to the film than the last paragraph would indicate, but I don't want to spoil the film. As for the film overall, it evokes a nice light mood and is pretty funny, but also shies away from broad humor--striking a nice balance. The acting and writing are very good as well. In particular, I loved how the film began and ended with Claudette turning to the camera and talking with the audience--this was a cute touch.Interestingly enough, when you think about it, this movie must have been the basis for the later TV series GREEN ACRES. There are way too many parallels to have this be due to chance. Apart from the city people moving to the country to farm, the home is a dump, the neighbors are VERY quirky and there's even a traveling salesman much like Mr. Haney!