Themes: Americans Abroad, Fish Out of Water, Culture Clash
Main Cast: Marjorie Main, Percy Kilbride, Ray Collins, Bodil Miller, Sig Rumann
Release Year: 1953
Country: US
Run Time: 75 minutes
Plot
This fifth entry in Universal's "Ma and Pa Kettle" series finds the Kettle family taking a trip to Paris (courtesy of the Universal back lot). All the standard "innocents abroad" gags are in attendance, including Pa Kettle's (Percy Kilbride) efforts to extinguish a flaming serving of crepes suzettes, and Ma's (Marjorie Main) entanglement with a team of Apache dancers. Somewhere along the way, the Kettles agree to help the American authorities trap a gang of international spies. A running gag finds Pa Kettle trying to purchase a set of postcards depicting "zee beauties of Paree." There's even a throwaway joke about the Marshall Plan! Sharp-eyed viewers will spot Rita Moreno as a nightclub chanteuse in one scene. Of the nine "Kettle" programmers produced by Universal, Ma and Pa Kettle on Vacation is arguably the most memorable. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Barbara Brown - Elizabeth Parker; Ivan Triesault - Henri Dupre; Oliver Blake - Geoduck; Teddy Hart - Crowbar; Peter Brocco - Adolph Wade; Jean de Briac - Chief Chantilly; John Eldredge - Masterson; Sam Harris - Plane Passenger; Sherry Jackson - Susie Kettle; Alice Kelley - Stewardess; Jack Kruschen - Jacques Arnien; Rita Moreno - Soubrette; Jay Novello - Andre; Gloria Pall - French Girl; Ken Terrell - Taxicab Driver; Dave Willock - Franklin; Hank Worden; Lawrence Dobkin - Farrell; Jackie Jackson - Henry Kettle; Richard Long; Eddie LeBaron - Wine Steward; Zachary Yaconelli - Maitre d'; George Arglen - Willie Kettle; Margaret Brown - Ruthie Kettle; Billy Clark - George Kettle; Carli Elinor - Orchestra Leader; Jon Gardner - Benjamin Kettle; Gary Lee Jackson - Billy Kettle; Donna Leary - Sally Kettle; Jenny Linder - Sara Kettle; Beverly Mook - Eve Kettle; Elana Schreiner - Nancy Kettle; Ronnie Rondell - Dannie Kettle; Robert Scott - Teddy Kettle; Harold Goodwin - Harriman
Credit
Charles Lamont - Director, Leonard Weiner - Editor, Robert F. Boyle - Production Designer, Bernard Herzbrun - Production Designer, George Robinson - Cinematographer, Leonard Goldstein - Producer, Jack Henley - Screenwriter
