Two of Abbott and Costello’s key contributors join the Kettle franchise for this instalment – writer John Grant and director Charles Barton. They finally dump Tom and Kim Kettle (who really only had two films in them) and suddenly there’s another non-retarded Kettle child, Rosie, played by pretty Universal contractee Lori Nelson, who romances James Best.
Unlike the last three Kettle films, this doesn’t have high concept twists like gangsters, ad campaigns, visiting New York or uranium. The humour more observational and based in reality, being centred around Pa’s laziness and tight fisted-ness. (Just thinking about it Pa drives these movies more than Ma) and a local fair a la State Fair. Ma enters a jam competition, Pa goes in a horse race, Rosie is a bit embarrassed about her parents. Even Rosie’s embarrassment, which is a bit unsympathetic, rings true (and at least she always apologises for it). This does mean though it’s a very light movie – perhaps too light. More could have been made of the romance plot – there’s no conflict there, just two kids who like each other and go dating. And Rosie’s whining does get on the nerves.
Grant surely had something to do with the Abbott and Costello references especially the Indians selling blankets at the fair (they mention “Who’s on First” and when a skinny guy and slightly chubby guy come along to buy some blankets and engage in word play, they ask if they’re Abbott and Costello – was this meant to be a cameo?) I’d guess he also had something to do with the routines where Pa negotiates with his creditors – there’s lots of word play and unique maths, very Abbott and Costello.
No comments:
Post a Comment