Ma and Pa Kettle Go to Town (1950)

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(247 ratings)

The second of Universal's "Ma and Pa Kettle" series, Ma and Pa Kettle Go to Town stars, as ever, Marjorie Main and Percy Kilbride. This time, the Kettles win a letter-writing contest, which offers as first prize an all-expense-paid trip to New York City. Once in Manhattan, the huge Kettle brood… More The second of Universal's "Ma and Pa Kettle" series, Ma and Pa Kettle Go to Town stars, as ever, Marjorie Main and Percy Kilbride. This time, the Kettles win a letter-writing contest, which offers as first prize an all-expense-paid trip to New York City. Once in Manhattan, the huge Kettle brood raises all sorts of Holy Ned, culminating in an episode involving stolen bank money. Somehow this all ends with a riotous, slapstick-laden square dance. The film's romantic subplot is handled by Richard Long as oldest son Tom Kettle and Meg Randall as his high-society wife Kim. Also carried over from the first Kettle entry are Ray Collins and Barbara Brown as the Kettle's wealthy in-laws. A winner at the box-office, Ma and Pa Kettle Go to Town helped pay for many of Universal's "prestige" releases of 1950. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 19 min.
Directed By: Charles Lamont
Written By: Martin Ragaway, Leonard Stern
Genres: Comedy

In Theaters: Apr 1, 1950 Wide
On DVD: Jun 29, 1994
Studio: Universal Pictures

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
The second and best comedy in the series.

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Cast

            Marjorie Main as Ma Kettle

            Percy Kilbride as Pa Kettle

            Richard Long as Tom Kettle

            Meg Randall as Kim Parker

            Gregg Martell as Louie

            Charles McGraw as "Shotgun" Mike Munger

            Kathryn Givney as Mrs. Masterson

            Jim Backus as Little Joe

            Elliott Lewis as Boxer

            Paul McVey as Harold Masterson

            Bert Freed as Dutch

            Hal March as Eskow

            Lucille Barkley as Miss Cooper

            Dale Belding as Danny Kettle

            Oliver Blake as Geoduck

            Barbara Brown as Elizabeth Parker

            Edward Clark as Dr. Bagley

            Edmund Cobb as Engineer

            Ellen Corby as Emily

            Esther Dale as Birdie Hicks

            Paul Dunn as George Kettle

            Diane Florentine as Sara Kettle

            Teddy Hart as Crowbar

            Jerry Hausner as Burley

            Joyce Holden as Miss Trent

            Teddy Infur as Benjamin Kettle

            Jack Ingram as State Trooper

            Mary Ann Jackson as Rosie Kettle

            Sherry Jackson as Susie Kettle

            Rex Lease as Sheriff

            Peter Leeds as Manson

            Emory Parnell as Villy Reed

            Ann Pearce as Miss Clyde

            Gene Persson as Willie Kettle

            Steve Wayne as Mr. Chadwick

            Ray Collins as Jonathan Parker

            Jackie Jackson as Henry Kettle

            Dee Carroll as Miss Stafford

            Margaret Brown as Ruthie Kettle

            Donna Leary as Sally Kettle

            Beverly Mook as Eve Kettle

            Elana Schreiner as Nancy Kettle
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