Parker Fennelly as the new Pa Kettle

I recall reading a press release on Ma and Pa on Old MacDonald's Farm that Parker Fennelly, "Titus Moody" on radio's Allen's Alley, played Pa Kettle's brother in this last film of the series, because Percy Kilbride was either retiring or had been injured in a car accident. I have also heard an interview with Fennelly where he claims to have taken the part as a favor to Kilbride, who was a good friend. Fennelly commented that the film was not a success because people expected to see Kilbride in the part. Reviewers at the time panned the film because the series had pretty much run its course. Also, Fennelly's "down East" sounded strange in comparison to Kilbridge's softer, slower tone and Ma's shrill Ozark accent. The series had started in 1949 after the characters were introduced in the 1946 film, the Egg and I.