Main Cast: Marjorie Main, Percy Kilbride, James Best, Lori Nelson, Esther Dale
Release Year: 1952
Country: US
Run Time: 78 minutes
Plot
Ma and Pa Kettle at the Fair was Number Four in Universal's immensely successful "B"-picture series. It is giving away nothing to reveal that Marjorie Main and Percy Kilbride once more assume the title roles. The plot is motivated by Ma's desire to send daughter Rosie (Lori Nelson) to college. To that end, she intends to win a big cash prize at the upcoming county fair. Meanwhile, Pa uses his half of the winnings (which no one, as yet, has really won!) to purchase a race horse. When Mafails to win the money, the Kettles are forced to rely on the horse to save the day during a sweepstakes race. Towards the end of Ma and Pa Kettle at the Fair, a close-up of the racing statistics sheet is shown, revealing that one of the owners is "Quinn Martin"--a cute inside joke, inasmuch as Mr. Martin was a prolific scriptwriter and a friend of Ma and Pa Kettle producer Leonard Goldstein. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Review
Ma and Pa Kettle at the Fair is possibly the best of the Ma and Pa Kettle series. Those who don't like the other entries in the series are unlikely to particularly enjoy this one to an appreciably greater degree, however, for Fair is to an extent simply more of the same. The difference is that there's somewhat more focused energy in the writing and direction. The jokes are still cut from the same cloth -- homespun humor, with pay-offs that can be seen coming from a country mile or more. But there's a slight quirkiness to their presentation, a bit more freshness to their set-up. Still, those who simply can't take a film in which cement and flour getting mixed up is the height of humor simply should look elsewhere right away. Fair has no more real depth than the other Kettle films, but there are a few quiet moments between Ma and Lori , or when Pa grows semi-serious for a brief spell, that give the actors something new to work with. By this point, Marjorie Main and Percy Kilbride could have played these parts in their sleep, but as usual, they play them with a freshness, skill and professionalism that is commendable. The rest of the cast is fine, and Charles Barton's direction keeps things hopping. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide
Emory Parnell - Billy Reed; Oliver Blake - Geoduck; Russell Simpson - Clem Johnson; Rex Lease - Sheriff; Zachary A. Charles - Crowbar; James Griffith - Medicine Man; Douglas Carter - Ticket Seller; Wheaton Chambers - Injured Man; Harry V. Cheshire - Preacher; Edmund Cobb; Harry Cording - Ed; Frank Ferguson - Sam, the Jailer; William Gould - Judge; Harry Harvey - Chairman; Hallene Hill - Mrs. Hicks' Mother; Teddy Infur - Benjamin Kettle; Sherry Jackson - Susie Kettle; Claire Meade - Sarah; Gene Persson - Teddy Kettle; Sid Saylor - Postman; Jackie Jackson - Henry Kettle; George Arglen - Willie Kettle; Margaret Brown - Ruthie Kettle; Billy Clark - George Kettle; James Guilfoyle - Birdie's Trainer; Gary Lee Jackson - Billy Kettle; Donna Leary - Sally Kettle; Jenny Linder - Sara Kettle; Frank McFarland - Judges; Beverly Mook - Eve Kettle; Mel Pogue - Delivery Boy; Elana Schreiner - Nancy Kettle; Ronnie Rondell - Danny Kettle
Credit
Charles Barton - Director, Ted Kent - Editor, Joseph E. Gershenson - Musical Direction/Supervision, Bernard Herzbrun - Production Designer, Eric Orbom - Production Designer, Maury Gertsman - Cinematographer, Leonard Goldstein - Producer, Jack Henley - Screen Story, Martin Ragaway - Screen Story, Leonard B. Stern - Screen Story, John Grant - Screenwriter, Richard Morris - Screenwriter
