Author Betty MacDonald (born Anne Elizabeth Campbell Bard) was born to parents Darsie and Elsie/Sydney Bard on March 26, 1907, in Boulder, Colorado. Her family moved often before settling in Seattle, where Betty attended the St. Nicholas School and Lincoln High School before graduating from Roosevelt High School in 1924. She later attended the University of Washington.
On July 9, 1927, Betty married Robert E. Heskett. The couple moved to a small farming community, Center in the Chimacum Valley, near Port Townsend. During this time, Betty and Robert operated an egg ranch. It was this experience that inspired MacDonald to write one of her most famous books, "The Egg and I." MacDonald left Heskett after four years of marriage, and returned to Seattle with her daughters, Anne and Joan.
Throughout the 1930s, Betty lived with her mother and sisters (Mary Bard, Dede Bard, and Alison Bard) in Seattle and was eventually hired by the National Recovery Administration (NRA) and then the United States Treasury Department. In 1938, she was diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis and was admitted to the Firland Sanatorium in Richmond Highlands, Washington. She was discharged in 1939 but the experience inspired her to write “The Plague and I”.
She married Donald C. MacDonald on April 29, 1942 and moved with him and her daughters to Vashon Island. While Anne and Joan were in school, Betty and Donald commuted by ferry to Seattle for work each day.
MacDonald's first book, "The Egg and I," was published in 1945. It quickly became a bestseller and was eventually translated into many different languages. She continued to write many bestsellers, including "The Plague and I," (about her battle with tuberculosis), “Anybody Can Do Anything” (about surviving the Great Depression) "Onions in the Stew," (about raising her daughters on Vashon Island) and her best-selling children's books, the "Mrs. Piggle Wiggle" series and "Nancy and Plum."
The MacDonalds purchased ranch land in Carmel Valley, California in 1952. They moved there to ranch cattle in 1956, but continued to travel to Seattle periodically. In 1956, Betty was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She died in Seattle on February 7th, 1958, at the age of 49.
Photographs relating to Betty MacDonald's writing career and life and publicity photographs for the film of "The Egg and I".
Selection from the collection can be viewed on the Libraries Digital Collections website. Permission of Visual Materials Curator is required to view originals. Contact Special Collections for more information.
Donor's copyrights transferred to the University of Washington Libraries Special Collections. However, most of the photographs were not created by the donor.
Processed by Paula Becker; Beck Prigot, 2017; processing completed in 2017.
Betty Bard stands second from right.
Betty Bard sits third from right.
Betty Bard sits at right.
Betty Bard sits at front.
Written on verso: This is a poor picture but I can't find any others - She is very gay and laughing most of the time
Middle child is possibly Betty Bard.
Written on verso: This is the office where much laboring is done for the Greyhound.
Written on verso of duplicate of photograph 11a: Ma 1041, 413 Lowell
Caption on page: It was pouring and raining when these were taken. Time 1 [ripped] Time - 25th Sec. Lens 8, Feet -15
Written on verso: For Grandma and Grandpa, with lots of
love from Elsie. The
Written on verso: Mary in her favorite place, the farm.
Sydney Bard stands in the background.
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Written on verso: Apple guy Betty wrote about in Egg & I.
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Caption on card: Merry Xmas, The Goldsmiths
Written on card: De De, Goldie, Stevie, and Chris.
Bard stands in front; Darsie stands behind him.
Sidney stands at left, Betty stands at center, and Mary stands at right.
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Prints of 43-1, 43-2, 43-3, 43-4, 43-6, 43-7, 43-8, and 43-9 are included in the collection.
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Written on item 62: Don MacDonald + girlfriend, ranch
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Anne MacDonald Canham, born Anne Elizabeth Heskett, is Betty MacDonald's first daughter.
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The girl standing second from the right of Anne MacDonald may be Salli Jensen, her cousin.
Cropped copy of photograph 139.
Text: "EGG AND I" MOVIE TO BE FAMILY AFFAIR -- A MacDonald wrote it and a MacDonald will act in it is the latest word concerning the International Pictures film version of "The Egg and I", the national best-seller published by Lippincott. Betty MacDonald (left) the beaming author, has just heard that her daughter Ann, age 18, will play a small role in support of Claudette Colbert and Fred MacMurray, top stars who will portray Betty MacDonald and her husband in the screen version of adventure in a chicken yard. International has announced that a location scouting party of top studio executives and technicians will journey to Washington's Olympic Peninsula on August 21, for a tour of possible settings under the guidance of the author, who wrote her book about that section of the Northwest.
Originally attached to item 95a.
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The boy sitting second from right may be Bard Beck, Betty MacDonald's nephew.
Contains 8 photographs of Anne MacDonald, her first husband Donald Strunk, and a baby (possibly Betsy Strunk)
Joan MacDonald Keil, born Joan Dorothy Heskett, was Betty MacDonald's second daughter.
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Joan MacDonald Keil stands at center, in black
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Heidi Keil stands at the head of the table; Rebecca Keil sits at the foot of the table, at left
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Contains 4 images of a baby (probably one of the Strunk or Keil children) on a blanket, 2 images of the baby being held by Jerry Keil and a man (possibly Donald Strunk), and one image of a toddler holding a ball.
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People in photograph 183: (from left) Betty MacDonald, Tim Keil (on Betty MacDonald's lap), Darsie Evans (on Betty MacDonald's lap), Rebecca Keil, Betsy Evans, Heidi Keil; (in front) Johnny Evans
Larger print of item 1-13.
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The woman sitting in front may be Mary Bard Jensen.
Tim Keil is in the background, being held by a woman.
Written on photograph: To Betty + Donald, Kind thoughts-Vic
Written on photograph: To Betty M Donald with kind regards, Homer Bone
Written on verso: Aboard M. S. "Sven Salen" enroute from
Shanghai to San Francisco (+ incidentally
Written on verso: Mary + Lewis Hamllett + 5 Redheads
Written on photograph: Nita Norwood, 2½ weeks
Written on photograph: Your Hollywood fans the Stewarts,
who
People in photograph: (front row) Mary Proctor, Billy Baker, Nancy Carman, Carol Murphy, Betsey Lane, Carole Deane, Verna Hane; (second row) Harriette Marranca, Nancy Meddaugh, Patty MacCheyne, Emily Gregoire, Sally Neal, Judy Yager, Eleanor Predmore, Esther Rumsey, Bonnie Meddaugh; (third row) Lydia G. Sears, Charles Meeker, Juanita Regle, Jimmy Huttar, Jimmy Bennett, Jimmy Scott, Gwen Mount, Sharon Hatt, George Hopkins; (back) Jane Worthrup, Marion Decker, Billy German, Dick Wright, Teddy Tuttle, Harry Wellin, Bruce Allen
Written on verso: Absent: Brian Kaskela
72 photographs of people who may be friends and relatives of the Bard and MacDonald families.
When
Written on verso: Donald and Betty fishing for sole in their skiff in Puget Sound just off their home
Written on verso: Joan, Betty, and husband Don hike along beach with groceries for distance of about 3 blocks (from their car to home).
Written on verso: The family drags skiff from water after fishing excursion
Written on verso: Ann, Joan, Betty, & Don set groceries on [ill.] water [prior to?] carrying load uphill to log house.
People in photograph: (standing, left to right): Chip Boutell, Don MacDonald, Donald Gordon, Bessie Beatty, John Kieran, Bert Lippincott, Beatrice Gould; (seated): Mary Margaret McBride, Betty MacDonald
The November 1947 issue of Cosmopolitan contained a short story by Redford and an interview with MacDonald.
Don MacDonald stands third from left; Joseph Wharton Lippincott stands at right.
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Art Forde was probably the photographer for this photograph.
Art Forde was probably the photographer for this photograph.
Art Forde was probably the photographer for this photograph.
Art Forde was probably the photographer for this photograph.
Caption on verso of photograph 391: Autographing Party - Simpson's, Toronto. Miss Ann Orford, Manager, Book Department. T. F. Pike, Longmans. Miss F. Reid, Assistant Manager, Book Dept. Betty MacDonald.
Stamped on verso: Exclusive Photo from Greater Seattle News Bureau
From accompanying material: Hear the "big three" in the Seattle book field on SCANNING THE MAGAZINES, radio station KOL, 1300 on your radio dial, Sunday, July 25th at 2 PM... Betty MacDonald, "The Egg and I", Suzanne Martin, Seattle Post Intelligencer, Sara Ployart, Frederick & Nelson's Dept. Store, discussing Betty MacDonald's newest release, "The Plague and I", the first installment of which appears in the August issue GOOD HOUSEKEEPING magazine, just out.
Written on frame by Betty MacDonald: The dullest people in the world. I don't remember their names.
Written on verso by Betty MacDonald: Bill Follen - Lippincott, Anne, Don, Me, Harold Gartley (salesman Lippincott), Joan, Jean Gartley (threw up in her lap just a little later)
Written on frame: To a beautiful red head we all love very much sign my [ill.] next will you Cheryl, Joanie doll (here). To the nicest author in the world, Jim. Dear Momey, You're a real [swell?] kid -- Hope I get to know you better. Love + kisses, Andy. What can I say, Thanks, "Bill".
Written on frame of duplicate: The most charming people I've met. Thanks for one swell night not my last in San Francisco I hope. Bill. To my Joanie. Art Wall. Your wonderful!! Jim. For Nudle head. From Fat Face. To Two Tone from [Sonotone?].
People in photograph: (front) Bob Rains, Joan MacDonald, Mary Bard Jensen; (back) Mary Kauffman (left), Anne MacDonald (second from left), Don MacDonald (third from left), Betty MacDonald (second from right), Victor Bleasdale (right)
Betty Bard sits at right.
Betty Bard stands at right, in back.
Caption on verso: (for inclusion in
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Written on verso: Poor camera. Enlarged from my small negatives. This picture was taken a little above where the walk leads into where we enter our door which is under the porch as seen in another picture walk around the bottom of the granite wall this way from which the full length of the house is taken.
Written on verso of photograph 485a by Betty MacDonald: Our house on the island as it used to be
Written on verso: Directly in back of house
Contains 4 photographs of Betty and Don MacDonald, two women, and a man with horses at the MacDonalds' ranch in Carmel Valley
Contains 9 images of horses at the MacDonald ranch and 3 images of Don MacDonald feeding horses.
Stamped on back:
Caption on verso: Louise Allbritton as the gay divorcee, Harriet Putnam in "The Egg and I," Universal-International production starring Claudette Colbert and Fred MacMurray.
Caption on verso: DUDE RANCHER -- Louise Allbritton plays a slicker who makes passes at another gal's husband in "The Egg and I," Universal-International production starring Claudette Colbert and Fred MacMurray, with a cast including Marjorie Main, Percy Kilbride, Richard Long, Donald MacBride, Samuel S. Hinds, Fuzzy Knight, and Esther Dale.
Caption on verso: "All right, you asked for it," says Betty (CLAUDETTE COLBERT) as she gets into the mire with Cleopatra, the ranch sow, in an effort to force her back into the pen.
Caption on verso: "Better get yourself cleaned up, that's not exactly perfume you're covered with," is all the sympathy Betty (CLAUDETTE COLBERT) receives from her husband, (FRED MACMURRAY).
Caption on verso: Tyrannical, antiquated Stove collapses in a shower of soot just as Betty (CLAUDETTE COLBERT) finishes an heroic job of polishing.
Caption on verso: Betty (CLAUDETTE COLBERT) learns the hard way not to saw away her perch when she's trimming trees.
Caption on verso: A flood of tender memories sweeps Betty (CLAUDETTE COLBERT) as she takes her wedding gown from a storage trunk.
Caption on verso: Betty (CLAUDETTE COLBERT) scrawls an angry farewell to the husband from whom she is fleeing in a jealous tantrum.
Caption on verso: Percy Kilbride as "Pa Kettle," nominal head of the Kettle Family in "The Egg and I," Universal-International production of Betty MacDonald's best-seller starring Claudette Colbert and Fred MacMurray.
Caption on verso: HENPECKED -- Percy Kilbride, playing "Pa Kettle," rehearses with the trained hen which is his constant companion in "The Egg and I," Universal-International production of Betty MacDonald's best-seller starring Claudette Colbert and Fred MacMurray.
Caption on verso of items 590 and 591: Richard Long as "Tom Kettle," brightest of the Kettle Family, in "The Egg and I," Universal-International production of Betty MacDonald's best-seller starring Claudette Colbert and Fred MacMurray.
Caption on verso of item 592: Richard Long, International Pictures Player, Featured in "TOMORROW IS FOREVER," "THE STRANGER," "THE DARK MIRROR"
Caption on photograph 593: Fred MacMurray as "Bob," amateur poultry farmer, in "The Egg and I," Universal-International picture in which he co-stars with Claudette Colbert. Produced by Fred Finklehoffe and directed by Chester Erskine from a screenplay by both of Betty MacDonald's best-seller.
Caption on verso: REVERSE TARZAN: It's the tree that swings on Fred MacMurray during the making of "The Egg and I," Universal-International production of Betty MacDonald's best-seller in which he co-stars with Claudette Colbert. The candid camera catches him as he extricates himself from production difficulties which will be one of the picture's big laughs.
Caption on verso: Fred MacMurray and the English setter playing the "world's most cowardly dog" in "The Egg and I," Universal-International production of Betty MacDonald's best-seller in which MacMurray co-stars with Claudette Colbert.
Caption on verso: Marjorie Main as "Ma Kettle," matriarch of the Kettle Family, in "The Egg and I," Universal-International production of Betty MacDonald's best-seller starring Claudette Colbert and Fred MacMurray.
Caption on verso: Isabel O'Madigan as "Mother Hicks" in "The Egg and I," Universal-International production of Betty MacDonald's best-seller starring Claudette Colbert and Fred MacMurray.
Caption on verso: Vic Potel as "Crowbar, the Indian" in "The Egg and I," Universal-International production of Betty MacDonald's best-seller starring Claudette Colbert and Fred MacMurray.
Caption on verso: Vic Potel as "Crowbar, the Indian" in "The Egg and I," Universal-International production of Betty MacDonald's best-seller starring Claudette Colbert and Fred MacMurray.
Caption on verso: "Congratulations, Mrs. Putnam, your cow has won the blue ribbon," Mrs. Harriet Putnam (LOUISE ALLBRITTON), at the county fair with Bob (FRED MACMURRAY) is told by the attendant (EARL BENNETT).
Caption on verso: "I'm giving Betty and Bob one dozen Speckled Sussex hens to help them get a fresh start," Harriet Putnam (LOUISE ALLBRITTON) tells Mr. Henty (DONALD MACBRIDE).
Caption on verso: "Can I be of any help?" asks Harriet Putnam (LOUISE ALLBRITTON) making her first neighborly call on Betty (CLAUDETTE COLBERT) who's having trouble with Cleopatra, the sow.
Caption on verso: "Whatever you need, see Billy Reed - that's me," is the introduction of Peddler Billy Reed (BILLY HOUSE) to Betty (CLAUDETTE COLBERT).
Caption on verso: Pa Kettle (PERCY KILBRIDE) tries out a fancy step at the community social much to dismay and bewilderment of Betty (CLAUDETTE COLBERT).
Caption on verso: The note delivered to Betty (CLAUDETTE COLBERT) by the Bella Vista hired man (GEORGE LLOYD) reads: "Won't be home for dinner. Don't wait up for me. Bob."
Caption on verso: "Just a thing I rigged up...a kind of automatic feeder," Tom Kettle (RICHARD LONG) explains his invention to Betty (CLAUDETTE COLBERT) at whose chicken ranch he's helping out.
Caption on photograph 619: Claudette Colbert as "Betty," Fred MacMurray as "Bob," amateur poultry farmers, starring in the Universal-International picture, "The Egg and I," from Betty MacDonald's record best-seller. The film was produced by Fred Finklehoffe and directed by Chester Erskine from a screenplay by both.
Caption on verso: "Can't you just picture it Betty...just you and me...all by ourselves, with thousands of chickens and every one of them laying eggs all day long!" Bob (FRED MACMURRAY) tells his bride Betty (CLAUDETTE COLBERT) on their wedding first night.
Caption on back: "Where's the house?" asks Betty (CLAUDETTE COLBERT) in disbelief as Bob (FRED MACMURRAY) proudly drives here into the front yard of their new home, a rundown shack in the mountains.
Caption on back: "The agent told me there wasn't another house like it in the county! Come on, I'll show it to you --," Bob (FRED MACMURRAY) tells his bride Betty (CLAUDETTE COLBERT) as they arrive at their chicken ranch.
Caption on verso: "This is it - over the threshold," says Bob (FRED MACMURRAY) as he suddenly sweeps into his arms his bride Betty (CLAUDETTE COLBERT) on their arrival at the rundown mountain shack that is to be their ranch home.
Caption on verso: "Hasn't it got a lot of character? Living room's over here --" and Bob (FRED MACMURRAY) introduces his bride Betty (CLAUDETTE COLBERT) to the rundown shack to be their home on the chicken ranch.
Caption on verso: "Lucky we got all this furniture with the place!" Bob (FRED MACMURRAY) tells his bride Betty (CLAUDETTE COLBERT) as they inspect their house at the chicken ranch.
Caption on verso: "Don't care much for that fixture though, do you?" asks Bob (Fred MacMurray) of his bride Betty (CLAUDETTE COLBERT) as they inspect their home on the mountain chicken ranch.
Caption on verso: "How do you like this bed...wonderful old piece...just needs a little propping up," Bob (FRED MACMURRAY) tells Betty (CLAUDETTE COLBERT) as they survey the old house that is to be their home at the chicken ranch.
Caption on verso: "I'll look at that roof in the morning, some of those shingles must be loosened up," Bob (FRED MACMURRAY) consoles Betty (CLAUDETTE COLBERT) as rain invades their bedroom on the first night at the chicken ranch.
Caption on verso: "Wake up, it's 4:30, half the morning's gone," Bob (FRED MACMURRAY) tells Betty (CLAUDETTE COLBERT) as their first day dawns on the chicken ranch.
Caption: "You'll have running water in the kitchen any minute now...all we've got to do it fill it," Bob (FRED MACMURRAY) proudly tells Betty (CLAUDETTE COLBERT) of the new water tank built by Pa Kettle.
Caption on verso: "When it rains you're going to be
flooded out," Bob (FRED MACMURRAY) warns Betty (CLAUDETTE COLBERT) anent [
Caption on verso: "Cougars do not disappear, you have to shoot them," Bob (FRED MACMURRAY) tells Betty (CLAUDETTE COLBERT).
Caption on back: "It so happens that I am an experienced tree-cutter...I spent a whole summer once, working at a log camp in the Adirondacks," Bob (FRED MACMURRAY) tells his bride Betty (CLAUDETTE COLBERT).
Caption on verso: "At these affairs you've got to dance with everybody who asks you...otherwise they'll have you down as a snob," Bob (FRED MACMURRAY) warns Betty (CLAUDETTE COLBERT) at the first social of their backwoods community.
Caption on verso: "Someone hit me with a shoe," Bob (FRED MACMURRAY) complains to Betty (CLAUDETTE COLBERT) who assumes an air of innocence.
Caption on verso: "That barnyard glamor girl is setting a trap for you and you're just goofy enough to fall into it," Betty (CLAUDETTE COLBERT) warns Bob (FRED MACMURRAY) at the social.
"I don't like to point, my fine lady, but you're beginning to make a noise like a jealous female, and it isn't becoming," Bob (FRED MACMURRAY) scolds Betty (CLAUDETTE COLBERT) in the first jealous quarrel of their marriage.
Caption on verso: "I should think you could trust me, marriage without trust, in my book doesn't account to much," Bob (FRED MACMURRAY) tells Betty (CLAUDETTE COLBERT) in the first jealous quarrel of their marriage.
Caption on verso: "What we got on our hands now is a man-sized forest fire moving up the whole valley," is the sheriff's announcement heard by Betty (CLAUDETTE COLBERT) and Bob (FRED MACMURRAY) at the social.
Caption on verso: "Unless it rains we'll be burned out - everything," Bob (FRED MACMURRAY) tells Betty (CLAUDETTE COLBERT) as the forest fire closes in on their ranch.
Caption on verso of duplicate: "Certainly will take a lot of building to get this place going again," Bob (FRED MACMURRAY) tells Betty (CLAUDETTE COLBERT) as they scan the desolation caused by the forestfire.
Caption on verso: "Don't you Betty me, you snake in the grass--you bluebeard!" Betty (CLAUDETTE COLBERT) berates Bob (FRED MACMURRAY) whom she finds ensconced in "the other woman's" house.
Caption on verso: "If you didn't have such an evil mind you wouldn't be jumping at such a lot of idiotic conclusions," Bob (FRED MACMURRAY) scolds Betty (CLAUDETTE COLBERT) who has accused him of infidelity.
"I've been such a fool," cries Betty (CLAUDETTE COLBERT) as she yields to the arms of the husband, Bob (FRED MACMURRAY) whom she had left in a jealous spat.
Caption on verso: "We're a little off schedule, I'm afraid," says Bob (FRED MACMURRAY) to Betty (CLAUDETTE COLBERT) as he shows here the date on which they had planned to be parents.
Caption on verso of duplicate: "I always knew we'd make it," says proud Bob (FRED MACMURRAY) as he fondles the first-born of his wife Betty (CLAUDETTE COLBERT).
Caption on verso: TIMBER! -- Falling trees and shower of chickens comprised some of the hazards in making "The Egg and I," Universal-International production of Betty MacDonald's best-seller co-starring Claudette Colbert and Fred MacMurray, who are caught by the candid camera extricating themselves from production difficulties.
Caption on verso: TIMBER! -- Falling trees and shower of chickens comprised some of the hazards in making "The Egg and I," Universal-International production of Betty MacDonald's best-seller co-starring Claudette Colbert and Fred MacMurray, who are caught by the candid camera extricating themselves from production difficulties.
Caption on verso: "I was wonderin' how long afore you'd git lonesome and pay us a visit," Ma Kettle (MARJORIE MAIN) tells Betty (CLAUDETTE COLBERT), who's meeting the Kettle tribe for the first time.
Caption on verso: "Tom's clever...not a mite like the rest of the Kettles...makes me wonder sometimes," Ma Kettle (MARJORIE MAIN) says to Betty (CLAUDETTE COLBERT).
Caption on verso: "Mighty fine of you to make me that dress...I sure do appreciate it," Ma Kettle (MARJORIE MAIN) thanks Betty (CLAUDETTE COLBERT).
Caption on verso: HORSEPLAY -- Between scenes of "The Egg and I" Claudette Colbert and Marjorie Main enjoy the merry-go-round erected by the studio for county-fair atmosphere. The Universal-International production of Betty MacDonald's best-seller co-stars Miss Colbert and Fred MacMurray. Cast includes Louise Allbritton, Percy Kilbride, Billy House, Richard Long, and Fuzzy Knight.
Caption on verso: "I suppose it never occurred to you that this egg is somebody's child, and that it once had a mother!" scolds Betty (CLAUDETTE COLBERT) to Dining Car Waiter (SAM MCDANIEL), who has just dropped her breakfast egg.
Caption on verso: "We had a chicken farm once, and we were happy, until Charlotte, the hen, grew bigger than a man," the Old Lady (IDA MOORE), local crackpot, tells Betty (CLAUDETTE COLBERT).
Caption on verso: "Party's getting rough, let's get out of here," Bob (FRED MACMURRAY) tells Harriet Putnam (LOUSE ALLBRITTON) as a hurtling shoe connects with his skull at the county social. He recognizes the shoe as belonging to his wife, Betty.
Caption on verso: "I think I'll look for the owner of this shoe," Bob (FRED MACMURRAY) tells Harriet Putnam (LOUISE ALLBRITTON) at the social.
Caption on verso: "A prize Hereford is small solace on a cold winter night, I've discovered," Harriet Putnam (LOUISE ALLBRITTON) tells Bob (FRED MACMURRAY) at the livestock pavilion of the county fair.
Caption on verso: GOING MY WAY? -- Fred MacMurray thumbs a ride in the snazzy station wagon displayed by Louise Allbritton in "The Egg and I," Universal-International production starring Claudette Colbert and MacMurray. Miss Allbritton, one of Hollywood's most provocative glamazons, plays "the other woman" in the picture, whose cast includes Marjorie Main, Percy Kilbride, Billy House, Richard Long, Samuel S. Hinds, and Fuzzy Knight.
Caption on verso: TALL TROUPERS -- When Louise Allbritton was introduced to Fred MacMurray, with whom she plays "the other woman" in "The Egg and I," she said: "Thank heaven, you're tall." She is one of Hollywood's tallest glamor girls, 5 ft. 9 in. Fred is one of the tallest male stars, 6 ft. 3 in. The picture, produced by Universal-International from Betty MacDonald's best-seller, co-stars Claudette Colbert and MacMurray, with a cast including Marjorie Main, Percy Kilbride, Richard Long, Samuel S. Hinds, and Fuzzy Knight.
Caption on verso: "Just dropped in to say howdy," Neighbor Pa Kettle (PERCY KILBRIDE) greets Bob (FRED MACMURRAY) on their first meeting.
Caption on verso: "Let me know if I can do anything else to help," Pa Kettle (PERCY KILBRIDE) tells Bob (FRED MACMURRAY) whom he has just borrowed out of house and home.
Caption on verso: Percy Kilbride, playing "Pa Kettle" in "The Egg and I," shows Fred MacMurray, playing "Bob," the amateur chicken rancher, the intricacies of the horse-drawn jallopy he pilots through some of the most hilarious scenes of the Universal-International picture, which co-stars Claudette Colbert and MacMurray.
Caption on verso: Egg buyer Henty (DONALD MACBRIDE) interrupts Pa Kettle (PERCY KILBRIDE) who is enjoying himself hugely at the county fair's peep shows.
Caption on verso: "May I cut in?" asks Smiling Billy Reed (BILLY HOUSE) of Betty (CLAUDETTE COLBERT) as she dances with Tom Kettle (RICHARD LONG) at the community social.
Caption on verso: "It's going to be so nice, having real people about for a change," Harriet Putnam (LOUISE ALLBRITTON) tells Betty (CLAUDETTE COLBERT) and Bob (FRED MACMURRAY)
Caption on verso: Bob (FRED MACMURRAY) is caught in the middle as his wife Betty (CLAUDETTE COLBERT) hurls darts of sarcasm into her supposed rival, Harriet Putnam (LOUISE ALLBRITTON)
Caption on verso: "She wants us to see her Speckled Sussex, it's a brand of hen, very special," Bob (FRED MACMURRAY) explains to Betty (CLAUDETTE COLBERT) at the home of the gay divorcee Harriet Putnam (LOUISE ALLBRITTON).
Caption on verso: "I've got a headache, I think I'll go home," Betty (CLAUDETTE COLBERT) tells her husband Bob (FRED MACMURRAY) and her suspected rival Harriet Putnam (LOUISE ALLBRITTON).
Caption on verso: "These headaches only hit me on very special occasions," Betty (CLAUDETTE COLBERT) says as a parting shot at her supposed rival Harriet Putnam (LOUISE ALLBRITTON) as Betty and Bob (FRED MACMURRAY) start for their ranch after luncheon.
Caption on verso: "The generator broke down this morning and everything at my place has come to a stop," Harriet Putnam (LOUISE ALLBRITTON) tells Betty (CLAUDETTE COLBERT) in asking for the loan of her husband Bob (FRED MACMURRAY).
Caption on verso: "You don't drink? Then have a cigar," Betty (CLAUDETTE COLBERT) and Bob (FRED MACMURRAY) urge Mr. Henty, egg buyer (DONALD MACBRIDE), who doesn't smoke either.
Caption on verso: "I judge my eggs by the people who produce them," Mr. Henty, the egg buyer (DONALD MACBRIDE) tells Bob (FRED MACMURRAY) and Betty (CLAUDETTE COLBERT).
Caption on verso: "Very friendly dog, loves to sit on hats," is the apology of Bob (FRED MacMURRAY) and Betty (CLAUDETTE COLBERT) as Mr. Henty, the egg buyer (DONALD MACBRIDE) ends his visit on a sour note caused by Sport, the pooch.
Caption on verso: "Are you really as important as all that?" asks Betty (CLAUDETTE COLBERT) of Billy Reed (BILLY HOUSE), who has just greeted her and Ma Kettle (MARJORIE MAIN) at the county fair.
Caption on verso of duplicate: "Birdie Hicks just took the prize for her preserves. Head judge is her cousin and that don't hurt none," Ma Kettle (MARJORIE MAIN) tells Betty (CLAUDETTE COLBERT) and Bob (FRED MacMURRAY) at the county fair.
Caption on verso: "As long as we're neighbors you can count on us for anything you might be needin'...just drop in and ask for it...be glad to lend a helpin' hand," Pa Kettle (PERCY KILBRIDE) tells the newlyweds Bob (FRED MACMURRAY) and Betty (CLAUDETTE COLBERT).
Caption on verso: "I can't imagine what happened to me, I never fainted before in my life," says Betty (CLAUDETTE COLBERT) to Ma Kettle (MARJORIE MAIN) and the Nurse (BEATRICE ROBERTS) as stork wings whir over the county fair's first-aid tent.
Caption on verso: "Indians!" cries the dismayed Betty (CLAUDETTE COLBERT) as she first sights her aborigine neighbors, Geoduck (VIC POTEL) and Crowbar (JOHNNY BERKES).
Caption on verso: "I gotta letter for you, looks like it might be from your husband," the maid (DOROTHY VAUGHN) tells Betty (CLAUDETTE COLBERT), who has left her spouse and gone back to mother.
Caption on verso: "It's absurd to see a perfectly good marriage break up just because of a lot of silly stubborness," Betty's mother (ELISABETH RISDON) tells Betty (CLAUDETTE COLBERT) as the Maid (DOROTHY VAUGHN) is serving breakfast.
Caption on verso: "Great hunting dog - this'll be a wonderful chance for him to work out," Bob (FRED MACMURRAY) tells his Indian hunting pals, Geoduck (VIC POTEL) and Crowbar (JOHNNY BERKES), as they take to the trail for the cougar.
Caption on verso: "Hi, Betty, we got 'em, 11 feet from head to tail, shot 'im right between the eyes at 50 yards," says the triumphant Bob (FRED MACMURRAY) as he returns from the cougar hunt with his Indian pals, Geoduck (VIC POTEL) and Crowbar (JOHNNY BERKES).
This scene was cut from the final film.
Caption on verso: "Mighty hunters - Chief-Shoot-Big-Cat-Drink-Plenty-Firewater!" says Geoduck (VIC POTEL) to Bob (FRED MACMURRAY) as with Crowbar (JOHNNY BERKES) they toast the execution of the marauding cougar.
This scene was cut from the final film.
Caption on verso: "I've been working on Mr. Henty (DONALD
MACBRIDE) to give you that egg contract - I've got him practically to the
singing [
Caption on verso: "Dreadfully sorry, it wasn't my fault," Bob (FRED MACMURRAY) apologizes to Mr. Henty, the egg buyer (DONALD MACBRIDE), whose face was pushed into the cake he was eating. At the social, from left, are Harriet Putnam (LOUISE ALLBRITTON), Mr. Henty (DONALD MACBRIDE), Bob, and Betty (CLAUDETTE COLBERT).
Caption on verso: "I always bring my own vittles to these shindigs, don't believe in waiting fer strangers to feed me," says Ma Kettle (MARJORIE MAIN) at the social.
Caption on verso: THE KETTLE FAMILY -- A clan made immortal in Americana by Betty MacDonald's best-seller, "The Egg and I," is assembled for the screen for the Universal-International production of the book starring Claudette Colbert and Fred MacMurray. Marjorie Main and Percy Kilbride play "Ma" and "Pa" Kettle and are shown surrounded by their rambunctious tribe. Behind Kilbride is Richard Long, playing "Tom," the only bright Kettle.
Caption on verso: THE GIRL WHO STAYED FOR DINNER -- Claudette Colbert as Betty in "The Egg and I," in which she co-stars with Fred MacMurray for Universal-International, sits down with Marjorie Main and Percy Kilbride, as "Ma and Pa Kettle," and the Kettle Family.
Caption on verso: "First prize in the patchwork quilt competition goes to Ma Kettle," announces Billy Reed (BILLY HOUSE) to the delight of Betty (CLAUDETTE COLBERT) attending her first county fair.
Caption on verso: "Here you are, the blue ribbon and a check for $500," is Billy Reed's (BILLY HOUSE) announcement to Ma Kettle (MARJORIE MAIN) that she has won first prize in the county fair quilting competition, which pleases Betty (CLAUDETTE COLBERT) mightily.
Caption on verso: Pa Kettle (PERCY KILBRIDE) hears the judges' announcement at the poultry show: "First prize has been awarded by the judges to an unnamed hen and an unnamed owner!"
Caption on verso: "We got together to give you whatever it'll take to get you started again," the Sheriff (SAMUEL S. HINDS) tells Betty (CLAUDETTE COLBERT) and Bob (FRED MACMURRAY), as the neighbors assemble after the disastrous fire.
Caption on verso: COUNTY FAIR -- A show within a show is a production feature of "The Egg and I," Universal-International production of Betty MacDonald's best-seller, starring Claudette Colbert and Fred MacMurray. The county fair was complete with amusement midway, livestock and poultry pavilions, quilting and preserving exhibits and all the customary appurtenances of this American institution.
Caption on verso: EGGS-ECUTIVES --- Fred Finklehoffe, left, and Chester Erskine are making a movie from "The Egg and I," hilarious best seller by Betty MacDonald. Their collaborative screenplay will be directed for Universal-International by Erskine, with Finklehoffe as producer. Claudette Colbert and Fred MacMurray are the stars.
Caption on verso: FIRST STEP -- Duplication of the
Washington State ranch about which Betty MacDonald wrote in "The Egg and I"
began at Universal-International Studios, where the book is being filmed with
Claudette Colbert and Fred MacMurray in starring roles, with the building of a
model, on a scale of 1/8" to the foot, in the art department. Bernard Herzbrun,
U-I art director, is shown here with the miniature, from which Producer Fred
Finklehoffe and Director Chester Erskine figured out camera angles, lighting
problems and other details. The studio construction department uses this
miniature as an accesstory [
Caption on verso: ANNIVERSARY -- William Goetz, left, and Leo Spitz at an informal observance of the third year of International Pictures, the company they founded and which is now merged as Universal-International with Goetz as president in charge of production and Spitz as chairman of the board.
Caption on verso: UNSUNG STARS -- Behind the camera on every big production are men and women whose teamwork is just as vital to a picture's success as the artistry of the glamorized stars whose faces flash on the screen. Here are some of the "crew" on "The Egg and I," Universal-International film starring Claudette Colbert and Fred MacMurray. From left, they are Dorothy Hughes, set continuist, or script girl; Frank Shaw, first assistant director; Joseph Kenny, second assistant director and Milton Krasner, cinematographer. Chester Erskine is directing, Fred F. Finklehoffe producing, from their screenplay of Betty MacDonald's best-seller.
Caption on verso: Director Chester Erskine, formerly of the New York stage, makes his debut as a movie director with "The Egg and I," Universal-International production starring Claudette Colbert and Fred MacMurray. Erskine, left explains his conception of a scene to MacMurray, right, whose standin, Douglas Spencer, listens carefully. Cast of the picture includes Marjorie Main, Percy Kilbride, Louise Allbritton, Richard Long, Samuel S. Hinds and Fuzzy Knight.
Caption on verso: Fred MacMurray, co-starring with Claudette Colbert in "The Egg and I," Universal-International production of Betty MacDonald's best-seller, goes over the script with Director Chester Erskine, who with Producer Fred F. Finklehoffe wrote the screenplay.
Caption on verso: Fred MacMurray, a farmer by avocation,
explains the fine points of a prize-winning Hereford cow to Director Chester
Erskine and Louise Allbritton at a livestock show staged by the studio for
scenes of "The Egg and I" in which Claudette Colbert and MacMurray star and
Louise plays "the other woman," MacMurray has a 1500-acre ranch in Sonoma
County, California, where he raises Milking Shorthorns, which won him three
prizes at the 1946 San Francisco Lovestock [
Caption on verso: Fred MacMurray pays strict attention as Director Chester Erskine, formerly of the New York stage but now a movie pilor, explains a scene for "The Egg and I," Universal-International production starring Claudette Colbert and MacMurray. Cast includes Marjorie Main, Percy Kilbride, Billy House, Richard Long, Samuel S. Hinds, Donald MacBride and Fuzzy Knight.
Caption on verso: STEPS TO STARDOM -- Louise Allbritton, a comparative newcomer to movies, demonstrates one of the important points in the upward climb: being friendly with the cameraman, in this case, Milton Krasner, cinematographer on "The Egg and I," Universal-International film starring Claudette Colbert and Fred MacMurray. Louise plays "the other woman" in the picture, whose case includes Marjorie Main, Percy Kilbride, Richard Long, Billy House, Samuel S. Hinds and Fuzzy Knight.
Caption on verso: REHEARSAL -- Director Chester Erskine (left) runs through a scene with Claudette Colbert for "The Egg and I," in which she co-stars with Fred MacMurray for Universal-International. In the station wagon are Louise Allbritton, playing Claudette's rival, and Douglas Spencer, stand-in for MacMurray.
Caption on verso: EGGS-TRAORDINARY -- Director Chester Erskine (left) and Percy Kilbride, playing "Pa Kettle," compare the 1st and 5000th eggs laid by the hens used as atmosphere for the filming of "The Egg and I," Universal-International production starring Claudette Colbert and Fred MacMurray. All the eggs that graded AA according to Department of Agriculture standards were packaged and sold to the public at the Farmers' Market in Los Angeles for the benefit of the Braille Institute of America, suppliers of books for the blind. Cast of the picture includes Marjorie Main, Louise Allbritton, Richard Long, Billy House, Samuel S. Hinds and Fuzzy Knight.
Caption on verso: FAMILY PORTRAIT -- "Pa and Ma Kettle," and their rambunctious brood of 13 kids come to life in "The Egg and I," Universal-International production of Betty MacDonald's best-seller starring Claudette Colbert and Fred MacMurray. On the seat of the wagon are Marjorie Main and Percy Kilbride, playing "Ma" and "Pa," while on the extreme right is Chester Erskine, who directed the film from a screenplay written by himself and Producer Fred Finklehoffe.
Caption on verso: HOW TO RAISE A DOG -- Fred MacMurray (right) gets some tips from Henry East, owner and trainer of Asta and other famous movie pooches. Dog in picture is Banjo, English setter, playing the part of "Sport, the world's most cowardly dog," in "The Egg and I," Universal-International production of Betty MacDonald's best-seller in which MacMurray co-stars with Claudette Colbert.
Caption on verso: LAUGHING GIRL -- Claudette Colbert, whose friendly disposition and sunny smiles are an inspiration to her co-workers, is caught by the candid camera on the set of "The Egg and I" as she bandies persiflage with William Goetz (left), president in charge of production for Universal-International, and Leonard Goldstein.
Caption on verso: CRANE SHOT -- Herewith are illustrated some of the mechanics for obtaining one of the provocative scenes in "The Egg and I," Universal-International production starring Claudette Colbert and Fred MacMurray. In this shot the camera will introduce to the audience the undistinguished Kettle Family, a tribe of hill-billy neer-do-wells headed by Marjorie Main and Percy Kilbride. Starting with Kilbride, the camera will move slowly down the long table, recording the enthusiastic mastication of each Kettle, halting to register the amazement of Miss Colbert, a first-time visitor to the Kettles. In the camera skip talking to Miss Colbert is Irving Glassberg, operative cameraman. Marjorie Main, on the left, will be slid into position by workmen on the sidelines tugging on cables attached to her chair.
Caption on verso: THE PRIZEFIGHTER AND THE LADY -- Max Baer, onetime heavyweight champion, now an actor and nightclub entertainer, turns his charm on Claudette Colbert while visiting "The Egg and I" set at Universal-International, where she is co-starring with Fred MacMurray. Max tried to sell himself as a leading man for Claudette's next picture and she, always encouraging to new faces, promised to put his application on file.
Caption on verso: William Goetz, Barbara Goetz, his teen-age daughter, and Claudette Colbert, on the set of "The Egg and I," at Universal-International studio where Goetz is in charge of production. Fred MacMurray is co-star of the picture and the cast includes Marjorie Main, Louise Allbritton, Percy Kilbride, Billy House, Richard Long and Fuzzy Knight.
Caption on verso: FAMILY TIES -- Louise Allbritton on "The Egg and I" set receives a visit from her father, Lawrence Allbritton of Witchita Falls, Texas, and her elder brother, Lawrence Jr., of Los Angeles. It was the first time her father had seen her acting before the movie camera. Shortly after this picture was taken Miss Allbritton, featured in a cast in which Claudette Colbert and Fred MacMurray star, announced she was quitting Hollywood and going to New York to live so she could be with her husband, Charles Collingwood, radio announcer.
Caption on verso: HIGHBOYS -- Chips Rafferty, Australian star of "The Overlanders," six feet six inches, meets Fred MacMurray, six feet three, on the set of "The Egg and I," in which the American star shares top billing with Claudette Colbert for Universal-International.
Caption on verso: Leaving for Hollywood. Anne, Joan, Me, Darsie (who is not a half-wit)
Caption on verso: AUTHOR'S DAUGHTERS -- Ann, (left) the elder, and Joan, children of Betty MacDonald, author of "The Egg and I," are shown in Hollywood with Claudette Colbert, who will co-stars with Fred MacMurray in the Universal-International picture from the book.
Caption on verso: HOLLYWOOD PARTY -- Betty MacDonald, the "I" of "The Egg and I," was honored by filmland celebrities at a reception upon her visit to the Universal-International studios where her book is being filmed with Claudette Colbert and Fred MacMurray in starring roles. Left to right: Joan, the author's younger daughter; William Goetz, president of U-I; Miss Colbert, Comedian Jack Benny and Mrs. Goetz.
Caption on verso: AUTHOR IN HOLLYWOOD -- Betty MacDonald, Washington writer who wrote the best seller, "The Egg and I," shown with Leo Spitz, chairman of the board of Universal-International Productions, the company filming the hilarious poultry saga with Claudette Colbert and Fred MacMurray in starring roles.
Caption on verso: CELEBRATION -- Informally marking the third anniversary of International Pictures, the company they founded, are Leo Spitz, left, and William Goetz, with Betty MacDonald, who wrote the best seller, "The Egg and I," now being filmed by the new Universal-International Productions, of which Spitz is chairman of the board and Goetz president in charge of production.
Caption on verso: HOLLYWOOD GREETS AUTHOR -- Betty MacDonald, of the perpendicular pronoun in "The Egg and I," which is rapidly nearing a sale of 1,500,000 copies, is shown with her two daughters, Joan, the younger on the left, and Anne, who accompanied their famous mother to Hollywood where Universal-International is filming the book with Claudette Colbert and Fred MacMurray as the stars.
Caption on verso of 741b: "EGG AND I" AUTHOR MEETS "GOOD EGG" FROM ENGLAND. British actress Phyllis Calvert (L) made the acquaintance of Betty MacDonald, author of the best-selling "The Egg and I," during the filming of Miss Calvert's American debut film, Rachel Field's "Time Out of Mind." Phyllis and Betty are shown with Robert Siodmak, producer and director of "Time Out of Mind." Claudette Colbert and Fred MacMurray will be seen as co-stars in the Universal-International film version of "The Egg and I".
Caption on verso: HONORED -- Betty MacDonald, who discouraged untold future generations of amateur poultry raisers by her hilarious best-seller "The Egg and I," received an accolade of the Pacific States Butter, Egg, Cheese and Poultry Association when she came to Hollywood to make her film debut in a short in which she plays herself. Here she is receiving an honorary membership in the Association from President Dean Olson (center) and Secretary Paul Messer at Universal-International studio where her book was filmed with Claudette Colbert and Fred MacMurray in starring roles.
Caption on verso: HONORED -- Betty MacDonald, who discouraged untold future generations of amateur poultry raisers by her hilarious best-seller "The Egg and I," received an accolade of the Pacific States Butter, Egg, Cheese and Poultry Association when she came to Hollywood to make her film debut in a short in which she plays herself. Here she is as honor guest of an Association luncheon at Universal-International studio where her book was filmed with Claudette Colbert and Fred MacMurray in starring roles.
Identified people in photograph: Don MacDonald (front row, second from left), Betty MacDonald (front row, center), Dean Olson (front row, second from right), Paul Messer (front row, right)
Caption on verso: MOVIE DEBUT -- Betty ("The Egg and I") MacDonald faced a movie camera for the first time when she came to Universal-International to play herself in a short that will be shown in advance of the feature, which stars Claudette Colbert and Fred MacMurray. Here she undergoes a step in the preliminary "processing" the movie camera demands. The makeup artist is Bill Ely.
Written by Betty MacDonald on verso of item 746a: The [head?] of the Butter & Egg industry
Written on photo: To Anne, with love and kisses, Danny Kaye
Written on photo: To Joan, with love and kisses, Danny Kaye
Caption on verso: Actress Lois Collier models an attractive "Egg and I" chapeau especially created for milady's spring wardrobe by Peter Bondi, New York designer. Lois, considered one of filmland's best-dressed young stars, recently completed a Technicolor assignment with Yvonne De Carlo and George Brent in Universal-International's "Slave Girl".
Caption on verso: EGGS-CITEMENT - Pretty Pat Alphin sells for the benefit of the Braille Institute, suppliers of books for the blind, the egg crop from the ranch operated within Universal-International studio for the making of "The Egg and I," starring Claudette Colbert and Fred MacMurray. The eggs were sold at the famous Farmers Market in Los Angeles.
Written by Betty MacDonald on verso: Egg and I in ice at Hollywood cocktail party