The Kettles on Old MacDonald's Farm

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!

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".

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 do not recall seeing this film but I will look for it as I have always been a Kettles fan...

The reason for my comment is to correct what someone else wrote.. It was said that Percy Kilbride left the role of Pa Kettle due to his death when in actuality Percy did not die until 7 years after this movie was released. His date of death is recorded here as 11 December, 1964.

He retired from acting completely in 1954 after the filming of Ma and Pa Kettle at Home.. However, his last appearance was in the 1955 release of Ma and Pa Kettle at Waikiki which had been filmed several years prior to Ma and Pa Kettle at Home and not released until later.