Placide et Zoé à New York

Although THE EGG AND I, which came before, introduced Ma and Pa Kettle (Marjorie Main/Percy Kilbride) to film audiences, this is the second of their series as principals. While residing in the modern home that the pair had won in their first solo adventure, Pa wins a trip for both to New York City, with their apparent only problem the locating of a babysitter for the 15 Kettle children, solved when Shotgun Mike Munger (Charles McGraw), a bank robber in search of a hideout is willing to take on this formidable assignment. The Kettles agree to deliver an empty bag belonging to Munger to his "brother" Louie (Gregg Martell) in Gotham, not realizing it contains $100,000 in stolen cash and the fun begins with gangsters tailing Pa and the police keeping a watch on the thugs, all while Shotgun Mike discovers the tribulations of dealing with a surfeit of wild Kettle offspring on the homestead. Veteran Charles Lamont, who wears the director's hat for most of the Kettle titles, is also at the helm of other series efforts for Universal, including several Abbott and Costello larks, and shows a sure hand at briskly moving this type of material. The reactions of the pair to big city life, widely different from their Pacific Northwest roots, forms the core of the comic scenes which comprise the bulk of this feature. Despite the defined character of the scenario, a string of episodic set pieces is primary, some of which are wonderfully funny, while nearly all work well in vaudeville fashion, especially for Kilbride and Main, with their portrayals and timing often borrowing from Laurel and Hardy. Sight gags are in generous supply, frequently presented apace so that the viewer must be alert for them amid the general hilarity. Richard Long acts as Tom Kettle, eldest of the brood, and he and his fiancee Kim (Meg Randall), both regulars of the series, are of particular assistance to their elders in this affair. The cast is well stocked with excellent character performers, notable among them being Martell as the leader of Munger's henchmen, along with Jim Backus as another bandit, and also present are Ray Collins, Bert Freed, Ellen Corby, Emory Parnell and Olan Soule. Special photography by David Horsley adds impact to a comedy that is completely light-hearted, one of the best of the Kettle series.

The first film in which the Ma & Pa Kettle characters appeared was the Claudette Colbert and Fred MacMurray film "The Egg & I". The popularity of these characters in the film led to Percy Kilbride and Marjorie Main repeating them in a series of amiable films. Oddly, however, the DVD for "The Egg & I" is accompanied by "Ma & Pa Kettle Go To Town" on the same side of the DVD--yet this other film is the third from the series, not the second! Because of this, you suddenly find the Kettles living in an ultra-modern suburban home instead of their dilapidated farm--and you only understand why as the story is explained through some exposition by the two leading characters! Why they decided not to put the second film ("Ma & Pa Kettle") following the first film is beyond me--especially since the third film picks up at the end of the second sequentially. And, by the way, on this double-sided disk, the ones on the other side are also NOT the second film!

The Kettles have won a trip to New York. It seems that Pa has once again entered a contest and this time his essay about Bubble-ola(a fictional soft drink) has been picked. However, how can Ma and

Pa go when they have a bazillion kids that need to someone to watch them--and the kids are wild! Now here is where the plot gets really contrived--a criminal (Charles McGraw) meets the Kettles and soon agrees to stay and care for the brood. Considering he's a swarthy looking mug, their believing he's a poet is ridiculous--as is Pa's agreeing to take a black bag with him to New York to give to the stranger's 'brother'.

Once in the city, the black bag is naturally lost and the criminals are quite worried. The Kettles have no idea that it isn't just some empty bag and just buy a new one--and plan on giving it to the supposed brother. However, every time they buy a bag, one of the crooks steals it--and so the Kettles keep buying more.

This is film reasonably funny but also a bit ridiculous. In fact, this and McGraw watching the kids all seem very hard to believe--like the writers were running low on ideas--and this is only the third film in the series! Because of the bizarre plot, the film just seems forced and the charm of some of their other films seems lacking here. The acting isn't bad--the the plot is just odd to say the least! And, the square dance ending is the epitome of weird! Overall, it's watchable but a disappointment.

Happily ensconced in their luxurious push-button home of the future, Marjorie Main and Percy Kilbride (as Ma and Pa Kettle) receive further good fortune. Mr. Kilbride has won an all-expenses paid trip to New York City, courtesy of the "Bubble-Ola" soda pop company. Hoping to turn the trip into a "second honeymoon," the Kettles leave their fourteen youngest "childrun" in the care of crooked Charles McGraw (as Mike "Shotgun" Munger), mistaking him for a kindly stranger.

The Kettles promise to deliver Mr. McGraw's black bag to his Gotham City brother, unaware it contains $100,000 in stolen cash. In the big city, Pa lose the bag, but find eldest son Richard Long (as Tom) trying to finance his incubator.

"Ma and Pa Kettle Go to Town" is not only one of the best of the series, but also a funny film on its own. Making pancake popcorn, and eagerly accepting her invitation to the "Beauty Saloon," Ms. Main is in her element. Milking the cow to music, and testing the height of an Empire State Building, Mr. Kilbride shows perfect timing. Credit must be shared with Martin Ragaway and Leonard Stern, who contribute a consistently funny and finely fashioned script.

******** Ma and Pa Kettle Go to Town (4/1/50) Charles Lamont ~ Marjorie Main, Percy Kilbride, Charles McGraw, Richard Long

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.

Ma and Pa Kettle take New York City by storm when they visit their son and daughter-in-law and get mixed up. Ma and Pa Kettle were a popular film series. Marjorie Main and Percy Kilbride are ideal as Ma and Pa Kettle. They have fun in the big city from the their small Washington State farm. It's a family, fun and light-hearted film.