Hi Scotty -
Thank you for your lovely compliments. I really appreciate it.
I must admit, I do not keep up correspondence here as much as I
should but I'm appreciative of the people who remain members
and pipe up every once in a while when conversations get started.
I think we all have the fondest of memories of the "Kettle" films. They
always put me in a good mood, even if I'm in a bad mood before I
tune in :)
"The Harvey Girls" was on TCM a couple of days ago and I was in
the kitchen when Marjorie appeared (the TV was on in the living
room). Her unmistakeable voice caught my ear and I ran in to catch
her scene. My two and a half year old son started watching and pointed
to the screen and said, "funny lady" - As he gets older I'm sure he'll enjoy
the "Kettle" films as much as I did as a child. I want to get him involved
early. My two stepsons weren't brought up on black and white movies
and we've always had a tough time getting them to watch any classic
films because they can't get their heads around a film with no color. They're
now teenagers and probably wouldn't watch a B & W film if we offered them
money to do so - LOL!
I watched the "Kettle" movies and "Francis the Talking Mule," "Abbott and
Costello", etc., with my grandparents when I was very young so B & W
films are just a part of my life. I actually prefer them to color. So, our mission
is to get our toddler to love the golden oldies too :) We need to brainwash
him :)
Percy Kilbride was such a lovely man. Don't think there's enough on him to
write a book. He lived a very quiet life. Never maried, no children. Just not
enough juicy stuff to get to a book length bio - unfortunately.
To all the fathers here, have a wonderful, relaxing, fun day tomorrow.
Happy Father's Day!
Michelle
On Jun 14, 2008, at 7:39 PM, scottylinda wrote:
For me it was Sunday Mornings at 9 am when our local NBC station in
Portland, Maine ran the movie of the week. Kettle movies were shown
regularly as were Abbott & Costello and others.
We only had three stations and no TV Guide for us. So we tuned in to
see what was on, seeing that Universal globe and the broken wagon
leading up to a big pic glorious pic of a jovial Marjorie Main and
the "Pa" look on Percy Kilbride's face meant we were in for a treat.
The prints were beat up and mangled as I remember, but we did'nt care.
I love hearing about how these films were made and about the people
that made them special, like Marjorie, Percy,
Richard and the rest of
the cast.
Thanks to Michelle for putting out a book that lets us take a glimpse
into the world of Marlorie Main.
Percy was a great to, there is not much out there on how he lived,
come to be in Hollywood and I have heard 9 different versions on why
he did not do another Kettle film, One printed in the Jacket of a
Universal Ma&Pa Kettle Laser Disc say he was in constant pain from a
car accident he had years earlier and died after being struk by a car
in the 1960's. Hope someday a book is done about him as well.
MICHELLE...THANK YOU, not only for your work, but
for your continued
correspondance in this forum, it's rare that a person that has
achieved so much success takes the time to keep up with people who
share some of her same interests. Thank you again.
Scotty
St. Johnsbury, VT
=