The Egg and I (film)
| The Egg and I | |
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Theatrical release poster
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| Directed by | Chester Erskine |
| Produced by | Chester Erskine Fred F. Finklehoffe Leonard Goldstein (associate producer) |
| Written by |
Betty MacDonald (novel) Chester Erskine Fred F. Finklehoffe |
| Starring |
Claudette Colbert Fred MacMurray Marjorie Main |
| Music by | Frank Skinner |
| Cinematography | Milton R. Krasner |
| Edited by | Russell F. Schoengarth |
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Production
company |
Universal Pictures
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| Distributed by | Universal Pictures |
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Release date
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Running time
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108 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $1,900,000 |
| Box office | $5,750,000 (est. US/ Canada rentals) |
The Egg and I is a 1947 American romantic comedy film directed by Chester Erskine, who co-wrote the screenplay with Fred F. Finklehoffe, based on the book of the same name by Betty MacDonald and starring Claudette Colbert and Fred MacMurray, with Marjorie Main and Percy Kilbride as Ma and Pa Kettle.
The box office success of The Egg and I influenced the production of Universal-International's Ma and Pa Kettle franchise, which consists of nine feature films most of which star Main and Kilbride together. On May 5, 1947, Colbert and MacMurray reprised their roles in a radio version of the film that was broadcast on the Lux Radio Theatre.
At the 20th Academy Awards, Main was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role.
It tells the story of a young married couple who become chicken farmers. Betty follows her husband Bob to the countryside where his dream is to be a successful chicken farmer. The problem is, their home is old and needs to be repaired and the baby chicks need constant care. When a rich single woman with a new house and new farm equipment flirts with Bob, Betty questions their decision to move to the farm in the first place. In the end, she finds out that Bob was trying to buy the new house for Betty as a surprise.
The film was a big hit earning $6 million at the box office.
The Egg and I was presented on Hallmark Playhouse January 5, 1950, with Colbert starring in her movie role. She also starred when The Egg and I was presented on This Is Hollywood on January 4, 1947. The adaptation was unusual in that it preceded the film's release.
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