The Egg and I is a 1947 film directed by Chester Erskine, and starring Claudette Colbert, Fred MacMurray and Marjorie Main.

This comedy was such a hit with audiences, it spawned the Ma and Pa Kettle film series. On May 5, 1947 Colbert and MacMurray starred in radio version of this film that was broadcast on the Lux Radio Theatre.

Story of adventures of young couple on a farm.

It was nominated the Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Marjorie Main).

Plot

Claudette Colbert and Fred MacMurray play newlyweds Bob and Betty in this working of the "let's go live in the country" formula. He's an idealist in love with chickens; she's less than thrilled but would follow her husband anywhere. Of course, their home is ramshackle, and there are many fish-out-of-water pratfalls taken in fixing it up and getting their farming business going. When a wealthy bachelorette with state-of-the-art farm equipment and a beautiful ranch house plays for Bob's affections, Betty tries to cement herself as the better chicken farmer.

Cast

• Claudette Colbert as Betty MacDonald
• Fred MacMurray as Bob MacDonald
• Marjorie Main as Ma Kettle
• Louise Allbritton as Harriet Putnam
• Percy Kilbride as Pa Kettle
• Richard Long as Tom Kettle
• Billy House as Billy Reed
• Ida Moore as Emily (the old lady)
• Donald MacBride as Mr. Henty
• Samuel S. Hinds as Sheriff
• Esther Dale as Birdie Hicks
• Elisabeth Risdon as Betty's Mother
• John Berkes as Geoduck
• Victor Potel as Crowbar
• Fuzzy Knight as Cab Driver
• Isabel O'Madigan as Mrs. Hicks' Mother
• Dorothy Vaughan as Maid
• Banjo the Dog as Sport

Followed by

• Ma and Pa Kettle (1949)
• Ma and Pa Kettle Go to Town (1950)
• Ma and Pa Kettle Back on the Farm (1951)
• Ma and Pa Kettle at the Fair (1952)
• Ma and Pa Kettle on Vacation (1953)
• Ma and Pa Kettle at Home (1954)
• Ma and Pa Kettle at Waikiki (1955)
• The Kettles in the Ozarks (1956)
• The Kettles on Old MacDonald's Farm (1957)

Production crew

• Production Design .... Bernard Herzbrun
• Set Decoration .... Oliver Emert / Russell A. Gausman
• Hair Stylist .... Carmen Dirigo
• Makeup Artist .... Jack P. Pierce
• Assistant Director .... Frank Shaw
• Second Unit Director .... Jack Hively (uncredited)
• Sound Technician .... Glenn E. Anderson
• Sound .... Charles Felstead
• Orchestrator .... David Tamkin
• Composer: Stock Music .... Sam Perry (uncredited)

External links