The Kettles on Old MacDonald's Farm

This was the final film in the "Ma and Pa Kettle" series and it was very painful to watch. The thing that made it so bad was not only the fact that Percy Kilbride was gone (he had left the series two films ago), but if you look at this film it to me is pretty much a remake of the film that introduced the world to the Kettles, "The Egg and I". Although Parker Fenelly does a decent job, he doesn't have the chemistry with Marjorie Main that Percy Kilbride did. Too bad that this series had to end on such a bad note, as the popularity of the Kettles would set everything up for such television favorites as "The Real McCoys" and "The Beverly Hillbillies".

I was eager to see "The Kettles on Old MacDonald's Farm" after recently watching the previous movie in the series and highly enjoying it. I'd loved the first eight Kettle flicks as a kid, but it took me several years to finally catch the ninth movie in the series ("The Kettles In The Ozarks"). I was so entertained by it that I just couldn't wait to see part ten and "The Kettles on Old MacDonald's Farm" didn't let me down! There's a different actor playing Pa Kettle, but he's a fine replacement and once again the Kettle clan delivers the goods! There really isn't a bad egg in the entire Kettle series. These movies may not be considered artistic masterpieces, but they are dang good fun!

In this very last chapter of the Kettle family, again minus the original Pa Kettle, there are more mis-understandings than an episode of Three's Company! The whole problem is that one of the Kettle sons wants to marry the local neighbor girl, but HER own father doesn't approve (and it's not for the usual reasons!) This series had pretty much run its course after all these films, and the writing is showing its age. Fewer funny jokes, a different Pa Kettle, and lack of big names in this one contribute to the effort of making it through to the end. There ARE a couple of subplots to keep us interested (a curious bear, the gossipy towns-folk, and the marriage that almost happens a couple different times.) Even the ending is a let-down...but you'll have to watch it for your self. Directed by Virgil Vogel, who had also directed the Kettles in "Waikiki". I've never seen this one on Turner Classic Movies, but it IS included on the "Kettle Family Collection" recently released by Universal Studios. This was Marjorie Main's last film, and after a couple of TV series appearances, she retired completely.

"The Kettles on Old MacDonald's Farm" is the final entry into the Ma and Pa Kettle series and, frankly, it's two films too late. When Percy Kilbride left the series and retired, the studio should have retired the films. However, some dolts thought it would be a fine idea to do one featuring Pa's brother, Sedge, in the previous film. However, the idea got even stupider here, as they re-cast the character and have Parker Fennelly play Pa. He is somewhat similar though his accent seems much more New England. However, it did feel a bit creepy because this particular episode featured a lot more sexual innuendo concerning Ma and Pa Kettle than usual...and it made me wanna yell "Unhand Ma Kettle...you interloper!".

The biggest problem with the film apart from the re-casting was the plot. Instead of being about the Kettles, they were there but the story was about a boring young couple who wanted to get married despite her father's objections. It turns out he did NOT object to the groom...but felt that his daughter was too spoiled and lacked the grit needed to be a farm wife. So, Ma shows her how to do this. Additionally, a bear runs about in the film for no particular reason.

This is not a bad film...it just isn't very good. The story is odd, the re-casting is a dumb move and it all felt rather sad and unnecessary.

I loved all of the Ma and Pa Kettle movies as a kid. I have not seen any for years but they bring back fond memories of lazy Saturday and Sunday afternoons watching wonderful old movies on television. This was, of course, when you had the roof top TV antenna and got 5 (6 if you were lucky)VHF stations and 2 to 3 UHF stations (those too young to remember UHF and VHF - do an Internet search!) While it is true the limited number of stations made programming limited as well it also allowed you to view gems like the Kettle movies - things today you would probably pass over without a second thought. Everyone should watch these movies. They will bring a smile to your face!