Reviews (14)

Lots of good old fashioned laughs and fun down on the farm
This film has always been a favourite of mine. Claudette Colbert, a superb commedianne always stated that the corn ball humour of this film was not really to her liking after appearing in such sophisticated fare as "Midnight", "The Palm Beach Story" and "Skylark". In reality Claudette has never been better than in this her last really successful film after a brilliant collection of both dramas and comedys during the 30's and 40's.
Some people might call the humour "corn ball" or "un sophisticated" but it is a lot of fun and the great cast carry it off wonderfully.
The film has many funny moments, Betty and Bob (Fred McMurray) meeting the unstoppable Ma and Pa Kettle (Marjorie Main, a superb and totally underated actress, in an Oscar nominated role...she should definately have won!) for the first time, Betty's hilarious "initiation" to Kettle table manners during her first visit to Ma and Pa's for lunch complete with children to numerous to count (even Ma doesn't know all their names!!). I also love the dance sequence when Claudette gets dumped with the oddest array of local yokels as dance partners. It still gets me laughing every time.
I strongly recommend this film to those of you who like old fashioned humour. I certainly have a soft spot for it, not only because of the excellent cast and the great acting by all but because my own mother was alot like Claudette Colbert in this film, she was a sophisticated city gal who moved to the country encountering many strange and funny instances along the way in her introduction to country life. Enjoy this film!! and to quote Ma, " sit back and don't stand on no ceremony!!"

Meet Ma and Pa Kettle in their first appearance.
Hop in the old truck with Bob (Fred MacMurray) and Betty (Claudette Colbert) and head for the hills of rural Washington State. Betty is unprepared for what awaits her--life on a chicken farm! Bob is gungho for the idea, but Betty has never gone near the kitchen to cook, much less to "put up all those canned goods" that Bob expects her to do! Down the road apiece live Ma and Pa Kettle and their hard-to-count-how-many children. Ma is an expert quilter and Pa is an expert borrower! You will experience life along with them going to the county fair, the weekly dances, planting a garden, everything right down to slopping the hogs. This movie is great fun to watch. I read the book, too. Try to get a copy, if you can. It is Betty's real life story. The movie is based on the book. I am sure you will be well entertained by them both.

A Funny Movie Based on a Hilarious Book
"The Egg & I", a movie based on the book of the same title, is entertaining, clean( you can let the kids watch this one), and funny. It's not quite as funny as the book, though.
Claudette Colbert is perfectly cast as Betty, the convenience-loving city girl who gets much more than she bargains for when she marries Bob, who is bent on pursuing his dream of owning a chicken ranch.
The ranch turns out to be isolated and primitive even by chicken ranch standards.
Poor Betty is forced to adjust quickly, and does so reluctantly and clumsily.
Those who read the book before seeing the movie may be a little puzzled by the appearance of "the other woman", who is absent from the book.
My suggestion: Read the book, then buy the movie, but don't expect the latter to be exactly like the former.
Both are VERY worthwhile buys, though.
If you have to choose between the movie and the book, I'd suggest going for the book.
The movie is very worthwhile, especially if you want a film that the whole family can enjoy.

Good clean fun... recommended!
A genuinely funny, old-school comedy, featuring Fred MacMurray as a city slicker gone country boy, a white collar executive who decides to chuck it all in and become a chicken farmer, somewhere deep in the boonies, and Claudette Colbert as his long-suffering, stand-by-her-man, newlywed wife. Both actors have superb comic timing, and their chemistry together-- he blithely missing her every disatisfaction, she gulping back her exasperation -- is quite good. This was also the first movie to feature the iconic "hick" couple, Ma & Pa Kettle, a Lil Abner-ish pair who went on to make several films together after this debut. I suspect this film, however, is the best of the lot. Recommended!

This is very funny!
Hi. I'm Aaron ... . Not only video game expert, but movie expert. Thank you, thank you. I couldn't laugh hard enough. Betty dances with all kinds of men, meets interresting people, falls in mud, gets ditched by her husband (or so she thinks), allows people to chatter her ears off, makes mistakes all the time, watches people act like pigs, lives around lunatics (and bears it), faints in the middle of crowds, bases her life around chickens, and bears all of it. Ma and Pa Kettle are part of this movie. You should watch it! ... Read more

Description

Based on George Bernard Shaw's sparkling play, this satire of ancient Rome is a triumph of comic dialogue and acting.The fable of the tailor who removes a thorn from a lion's paw is retold magnificently with Maurice Evans as Caesar, Robert Newton as a hilarious zealot, and the radiant Jean Simmons. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

What a GOOD Movie!
This movie is highly entertaining and very funny. I had laughed at some scenes in this movie. Even kids will enjoy this movie.
"Androcles and the Lion" is about a meek tailor befriending a lion by removing a thorn out of his paw (his mean wife ran away though). Androcles named the lion "Tommy". The tailor, Androcles, gets captured by the Roman army because he's a Christian, and makes friends with a beautiful woman and a burly man named Fevvorus (sp?), among other Christians with them. The beautiful woman, named Lavina, falls in love with a Roman Captain (played by Victor Mature), but she still keeps her faith in God. Later when all the Christians arrived at the Colluseum where the fighting to kill the Christian men, and the lions are for the ladies to die, Fevvorus slays all the fighters and won the affections of Ceaser. Androcles was picked to be killed by the lions...and guess who he met? The lion named Tommy! Ceaser gets impressed once more because Tommy and Androcles danced together in the arena and the lion is tame. :) Ceaser finally lets all the Christians go free, Fevvorus gets to be a guard at the palace, and Tommy and Androcles walk the streets together at the end.
Very good movie and it's highly recommended!

Androcles The Great
This Hollywood adaptation of Shaw's play came as a very pleasant surprise indeed since as Shaw's plays are always about ideas, I was gratified to see those outlined in the play were faithfully retained in the film. It is also one of Shaw's wittiest tracts on behalf of his abiding belief in animal rights, (the theological debate about whether animals have souls being retained and convincingly presented), as well as his mistrust of any religious dogma that isn't constantly on the side of the here-and-now and the Life Force. Although obvious budget constraints show here and there, all concerned certainly display a grasp of what Shaw was trying to say, and acquit themselves with distinction in all department. Full of Shavian irony and compassion, (the sadness and poignancy in Shaw's work is seldom noted these days), it turns accepted values upside down and helps you on the road to thinking laterally and, hopefully, autonomously. Subversive stuff as always with Shaw! Highly recommended.

Very entertaining movie
A very funny, entertaining black and white movie. It's quite lively and I would recomend it! ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Great presentation of a fair 1930's movie featuring Bogie
If you are looking at the Image Entertainment DVD, ignor any other reviews that refer to Madacy or other inferior cheapie DVD companies. This DVD has been RESTORED from a very nice print!

VERY MELODRAMATIC & over acted like a silent movie! It is the movie itself that I rate 3 stars. This is for devoted Bogart fans who want to experience his early work. He is only a supporting player who appears in less than half the movie, yet his character steals the show. His acting style stands out from the others and you can for-see the potential for his future.

Don't expect Casablanca or even They Drive By Night, expect to see Bogie learning his trade. And try not to laugh at the melodramatic stars of the show.

another Madacy Entertainment ...
Just like most other titles from Madacy Entertainment, this digital copy is unwatchable. Sound out of sync from video, hiss, scratch and pop sounds continuously, image jumps around and is unsteady. No disclosure of any faults on the dust jacket. Puke in a box!

Boy they murdered this one!
My primary complaint about this DVD is that the sound track is 8 to 10 seconds behind the video track. I found it very difficult to follow and gave up after 5 minutes. I hope I can return it!

Not bad-but not really a Bogie Movie
This movie is hyped as "Starring Humphrey Bogart," however, when you sit down to watch it, Bogie's camera time last all but 3 1/2 minutes. The premise is interesting though--as it provides a moral dilemma that's still got an edge. Maybe a good candidate for a remake... ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Great presentation of a fair 1930's movie featuring Bogie
If you are looking at the Image Entertainment DVD, ignor any other reviews that refer to Madacy or other inferior cheapie DVD companies. This DVD has been RESTORED from a very nice print!

VERY MELODRAMATIC & over acted like a silent movie! It is the movie itself that I rate 3 stars. This is for devoted Bogart fans who want to experience his early work. He is only a supporting player who appears in less than half the movie, yet his character steals the show. His acting style stands out from the others and you can for-see the potential for his future.

Don't expect Casablanca or even They Drive By Night, expect to see Bogie learning his trade. And try not to laugh at the melodramatic stars of the show.

another Madacy Entertainment ...
Just like most other titles from Madacy Entertainment, this digital copy is unwatchable. Sound out of sync from video, hiss, scratch and pop sounds continuously, image jumps around and is unsteady. No disclosure of any faults on the dust jacket. Puke in a box!

Boy they murdered this one!
My primary complaint about this DVD is that the sound track is 8 to 10 seconds behind the video track. I found it very difficult to follow and gave up after 5 minutes. I hope I can return it!

Not bad-but not really a Bogie Movie
This movie is hyped as "Starring Humphrey Bogart," however, when you sit down to watch it, Bogie's camera time last all but 3 1/2 minutes. The premise is interesting though--as it provides a moral dilemma that's still got an edge. Maybe a good candidate for a remake... ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Bogart Double Feature
Beat the Devil is far from Bogart's best, but it is a witty, entertianing send-up of some of his best films like the Maltese Falcon, The Big Sleep, and Key Largo. The plot invovles some rather vague shennanigans having to do with a uranium mine, but the plot is almost beside the point in a film like this. The real fun has to do with Bograt, Peter Lorre, and the rest of the cast playing it straight in one ludicrous scene after another. The film is atmospheric, well-paced, and full of the unexpected. It has deservedly become a cult classic, and the reputation of this film has increased as the critics realized that director John Huston was pulling everyones leg with this film.

Call it Murder is an intelligent, thought provoking film, that does seem a bit stagey, slow-moving, even creaky by today's standards. Yet it does have it merits, and would be worth a view simply beacuse of the way it examines a tough issue like the death penalty. Bogart, in what is a very early role for him, doesn't have a lot of screen time, but he's quite good in the parts he does have. Call it Murder may be a bit of a curiosity, but thanks to Bogart, the issue it examines, and a suspenseful ending it is worth a look. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Great presentation of a fair 1930's movie featuring Bogie
If you are looking at the Image Entertainment DVD, ignor any other reviews that refer to Madacy or other inferior cheapie DVD companies. This DVD has been RESTORED from a very nice print!

VERY MELODRAMATIC & over acted like a silent movie! It is the movie itself that I rate 3 stars. This is for devoted Bogart fans who want to experience his early work. He is only a supporting player who appears in less than half the movie, yet his character steals the show. His acting style stands out from the others and you can for-see the potential for his future.

Don't expect Casablanca or even They Drive By Night, expect to see Bogie learning his trade. And try not to laugh at the melodramatic stars of the show.

another Madacy Entertainment ...
Just like most other titles from Madacy Entertainment, this digital copy is unwatchable. Sound out of sync from video, hiss, scratch and pop sounds continuously, image jumps around and is unsteady. No disclosure of any faults on the dust jacket. Puke in a box!

Boy they murdered this one!
My primary complaint about this DVD is that the sound track is 8 to 10 seconds behind the video track. I found it very difficult to follow and gave up after 5 minutes. I hope I can return it!

Not bad-but not really a Bogie Movie
This movie is hyped as "Starring Humphrey Bogart," however, when you sit down to watch it, Bogie's camera time last all but 3 1/2 minutes. The premise is interesting though--as it provides a moral dilemma that's still got an edge. Maybe a good candidate for a remake... ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Great presentation of a fair 1930's movie featuring Bogie
If you are looking at the Image Entertainment DVD, ignor any other reviews that refer to Madacy or other inferior cheapie DVD companies. This DVD has been RESTORED from a very nice print!

VERY MELODRAMATIC & over acted like a silent movie! It is the movie itself that I rate 3 stars. This is for devoted Bogart fans who want to experience his early work. He is only a supporting player who appears in less than half the movie, yet his character steals the show. His acting style stands out from the others and you can for-see the potential for his future.

Don't expect Casablanca or even They Drive By Night, expect to see Bogie learning his trade. And try not to laugh at the melodramatic stars of the show.

another Madacy Entertainment ...
Just like most other titles from Madacy Entertainment, this digital copy is unwatchable. Sound out of sync from video, hiss, scratch and pop sounds continuously, image jumps around and is unsteady. No disclosure of any faults on the dust jacket. Puke in a box!

Boy they murdered this one!
My primary complaint about this DVD is that the sound track is 8 to 10 seconds behind the video track. I found it very difficult to follow and gave up after 5 minutes. I hope I can return it!

Not bad-but not really a Bogie Movie
This movie is hyped as "Starring Humphrey Bogart," however, when you sit down to watch it, Bogie's camera time last all but 3 1/2 minutes. The premise is interesting though--as it provides a moral dilemma that's still got an edge. Maybe a good candidate for a remake... ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Great presentation of a fair 1930's movie featuring Bogie
If you are looking at the Image Entertainment DVD, ignor any other reviews that refer to Madacy or other inferior cheapie DVD companies. This DVD has been RESTORED from a very nice print!

VERY MELODRAMATIC & over acted like a silent movie! It is the movie itself that I rate 3 stars. This is for devoted Bogart fans who want to experience his early work. He is only a supporting player who appears in less than half the movie, yet his character steals the show. His acting style stands out from the others and you can for-see the potential for his future.

Don't expect Casablanca or even They Drive By Night, expect to see Bogie learning his trade. And try not to laugh at the melodramatic stars of the show.

another Madacy Entertainment ...
Just like most other titles from Madacy Entertainment, this digital copy is unwatchable. Sound out of sync from video, hiss, scratch and pop sounds continuously, image jumps around and is unsteady. No disclosure of any faults on the dust jacket. Puke in a box!

Boy they murdered this one!
My primary complaint about this DVD is that the sound track is 8 to 10 seconds behind the video track. I found it very difficult to follow and gave up after 5 minutes. I hope I can return it!

Not bad-but not really a Bogie Movie
This movie is hyped as "Starring Humphrey Bogart," however, when you sit down to watch it, Bogie's camera time last all but 3 1/2 minutes. The premise is interesting though--as it provides a moral dilemma that's still got an edge. Maybe a good candidate for a remake... ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Great presentation of a fair 1930's movie featuring Bogie
If you are looking at the Image Entertainment DVD, ignor any other reviews that refer to Madacy or other inferior cheapie DVD companies. This DVD has been RESTORED from a very nice print!

VERY MELODRAMATIC & over acted like a silent movie! It is the movie itself that I rate 3 stars. This is for devoted Bogart fans who want to experience his early work. He is only a supporting player who appears in less than half the movie, yet his character steals the show. His acting style stands out from the others and you can for-see the potential for his future.

Don't expect Casablanca or even They Drive By Night, expect to see Bogie learning his trade. And try not to laugh at the melodramatic stars of the show.

another Madacy Entertainment ...
Just like most other titles from Madacy Entertainment, this digital copy is unwatchable. Sound out of sync from video, hiss, scratch and pop sounds continuously, image jumps around and is unsteady. No disclosure of any faults on the dust jacket. Puke in a box!

Boy they murdered this one!
My primary complaint about this DVD is that the sound track is 8 to 10 seconds behind the video track. I found it very difficult to follow and gave up after 5 minutes. I hope I can return it!

Not bad-but not really a Bogie Movie
This movie is hyped as "Starring Humphrey Bogart," however, when you sit down to watch it, Bogie's camera time last all but 3 1/2 minutes. The premise is interesting though--as it provides a moral dilemma that's still got an edge. Maybe a good candidate for a remake... ... Read more