The Egg And I (1947)

 

The Egg And I - 1947

Coming up next we have 1947's "The Egg And I", a story about a city couple who move to the country to become chicken farmers.  The husband is in his element, but the wife has a lot of trouble adjusting to farm life and the challenges she faces may just be more than she can handle.

The film's cast includes Claudette Colbert, Fred MacMurray, Marjorie Main, Percy Kilbride, Louise Albritton, Richard Long, Ida Moore, Donald MacBride, Esther Dale, John Berkes, Victor Potel, Sam McDaniel, Elizabeth Risdon, and Banjo The Dog.

Newlyweds Bob and Betty MacDonald are in two different minds.  Bob has just announced that he's bought a chicken farm, and he's ecstatic!  Betty couldn't be more shocked and confused.

With all their belongings and some livestock loaded up on an old truck, Bob and Betty head for Cape Flattery, Washington, a very rural town in the mountains.

While Bob can only see the possibilities of the run-down property that is now their home, Betty is overwhelmed by the sheer enormity of the task that lies before them.

She's especially apprehensive about the huge stove that she will now have to learn to cook on.  "I don't think it likes me," she says as she backs away from it.

Soon enough, Bob and Betty have the place looking fine, and they settle down to the task at hand: raising chickens.

There's also a bunch of other assorted animals on the property, such as this stubborn pig named Cleopatra.

Bob gets a hunting dog named Sport.  However, Sport is less vicious than advertised.  He runs and hides at nearly every noise and disturbance.  Betty is thrilled with him.

Among the neighbors is Harriet Putnam, the owner of a nearby farm.  Harriet seems to have cast her eye on Bob, and Betty is extremely wary of her.  "That barnyard glamor girl is setting a trap for you, and you’re just goofy enough to fall into it!" she warns.

But it's Betty's friendship with Ma Kettle, a nearby neighbor and mother of fifteen children, which is the most meaningful in Cape Flattery.  Ma is always friendly and kind, no matter what kind of chaos reigns in the Kettle household.

Betty is much amused by Ma's cookie recipe: "Just a drop of this and a drop of that.  Mix it together and shove it in the oven."

Pa Kettle is quite the character as well.  He's always borrowing things and never returning them.

Betty befriends the whole Kettle clan, including the eldest son Tom.  Tom wants to go to college, and Betty sees that he gets the chance.

Through all the craziness of farm life, Bob and Betty find time to remember their old life and have a bit of a date night.

However, a fire devastates all the hard work that they've put into the farm.  Bob is ready to throw in the towel and return to the city.

But everyone rallies around them and teaches Bob and Betty the true meaning of community spirit.

However, things take an interesting turn, and Betty is at her wits end.  Will she stay or will she return to the city?  You'll have to watch to find out.

Cast rundown:

   Claudette Colbert.......................Betty MacDonald

   Fred MacMurray..........................Bob MacDonald

   Marjorie Main.............................Ma Kettle

   Percy Kilbride.............................Pa Kettle

   Louise Albritton..........................Harriet Putnam

   Richard Long..............................Tom Kettle

   Ida Moore..................................Emily

   Donald MacBride........................Mr. Henty

   Esther Dale................................Birdie Hicks

   John Berkes...............................Geoduck

   Victor Potel................................Crowbar

   Sam McDaniel............................Waiter On Train

   Elizabeth Risdon.........................Betty's Mother

   Banjo The Dog...........................Sport

And that's all for The Egg And I.  This film introduced us to the characters of Ma and Pa Kettle.  The Kettles proved to be so popular that they received their own set of films: 9 of them to be exact.  The Kettle franchise went on to save Universal from financial ruin.  For this film, Marjorie Main was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

As always, if you wish to leave a comment, please remember our posting rules.