MovieChat Forums > The Egg and I Discussion > Miscasting

Miscasting

posted 10 years ago by annmason24
11 replies | jump to latest

I love all of Betty MacDonald's books. She was a wonderful writer who put the reader right there with her; on the Olympic Peninsula, Seattle,the TB asylum,and on Vashon Island. She thus made the reader a time traveler. Her self-deprecating humor and gift with words reminds me of James Herriot's work.

The objection I have with this movie was the casting of Fred McMurray as Bob. Bob according-to the book- was not a vanilla pudding, affable character (he later died in a bar fight). He was apparently an insensitive man on every level, particularly to Betty.

Obviously Hollywood could not have portrayed him that way, and that's fine, but to neuter him entirely took any texture and substance from the story. And I do like Fred McMurray; but he should have not been cast here.

Claudette Covert is exactly-except for age-as I pictured Betty MacDonald- she even looked like her.

The salvation of this movie is the Kettles.

[–] spike71 10 years ago

I agree with you when it comes to Bob, but as we know, the movie was all about humor. I read the book too and as usual, you never can put all that info on the screen.

Claudette Colbert did a great job as Betty and of course, the Kettles didn't let us down.

[–] HarlowMGM 10 years ago

Have not read the book but obviously Hollywood in the 1940's was not going to make a comedy with an unpleasant male lead, particularly toward the leading lady. Such as a character as you described wouldn't have worked in this film.

[–] annmason24 10 years ago

For spike71, if you haven't read the book, the egg and I, please do! It is a wonderful book that many people read over and over. It has a lot more substance than the movie, and is worth the effort. I hope you can find it. Thanks for your comments.

[–] annmason24 10 years ago

sorry, I posted the wrong name just now. I should have said Harlow MGM, instead of spike71. In any case please read the egg and I you will be delighted.

[–] MissMargoChanning (6630) 7 years ago

Having read the book years ago, I do agree about Casting Fred McMurray as Bob.
They did make him somewhat insensitive though.....
I the film he tells her about quitting his job the very day after the wedding and informs her that they are going to be chicken farmers. He moves her to a remote community. He could care less about her hat when it flys off and the goat eats it........ he's just too preoccupied with his plans.

The movie was funny but as is usually the case, the book was so much better.

[–] Jes' Sayin' (5947) 7 years ago

Casting Fred McMurray in anything was pretty wrong. Only thing I ever thought he was okay in was The Apartment.

[–] MissMargoChanning (6630) 7 years ago

The Apartment is a favorite of mine. McMurray was good in that. My husband doesn't like him in it and refuses to watch it anymore because he's such a weasel in it. All of those years of My Three Sons conditioned him to think of Fred McMurry as a man of integrity. LOL!
That is the same reason he won't watch, A Face In The Crowd. My husband just can't stand the thought of Andy Taylor of Mayberry as a sleaze!

[–] Jes' Sayin' (5947) 7 years ago

Wow, your husband is really going to contribute to actor fear of typecasting!

Face in the Crowd is the best role Griffith ever had IMO.

[–] MissMargoChanning (6630) 7 years ago

I agree!
On both counts!
LOL!

[–] Jes' Sayin' (5947) 7 years ago

LOL!

Believe it or not this is the second MacMurray film I've seen in a week. The local revival theater is having a summer comedy festival and he's all over it. Last week was The Princess Comes Across. Fortunately there are other good folks and features about these films.:)

[–] liscarkat (16476) 2 years ago

This was the movie, not the book. MacMurray was good in everything, including "The Egg and I". As for the real-life Bob being "an insensitive man on every level, particularly to Betty", he was portrayed as pretty insensitive to her in the movie, until the end.