Universal’s Forgotten Past: Ma & Pa Kettle’s Hollywood Legacy (Ep. 42)

The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Tv & Film, Society & Culture, Places & Travel

4.8 • 1.4K Ratings

🗓️ 14 March 2025

⏱️ 46 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In this episode of The Epic Universal Podcast, Jim Hill and Eric Hersey take a nostalgic journey through Universal’s lesser-known history, focusing on the Ma & Pa Kettle film series and its unexpected impact on Universal Studios Hollywood. Along the way, they also dive into the latest Universal news and rumors. Highlights include: The Ma & Pa Kettle Film Legacy: How these quirky, small-town characters became box office gold for Universal in the 1940s and 50s. The Ma & Pa Kettle Petting Zoo: How Universal repurposed the set into a real farm attraction for guests in the early days of the studio tour. The Evolution of Universal Studios Hollywood: From petting zoos to world-class attractions, how the park transitioned into the entertainment giant it is today. Epic Universe Updates: The latest behind-the-scenes insights from team member previews, including first reactions to Monsters Unchained and Isle of Berk. Stardust Racers Testing Issues: What happened when Universal’s new dueling coaster stalled on the track? Cirque du Soleil in Vegas: Eric shares his experience seeing the long-running Mystère show and how Cirque compares to other theme park entertainment. This episode blends Hollywood history, Universal’s evolving theme park legacy, and the latest attraction updates. Whether you're a longtime film buff or excited for the future of Universal parks, this one’s for you! Support Our Sponsor: Be Our Guest Vacations Planning your next Universal vacation? Be Our Guest Vacations is a Platinum-level Earmarked travel agency with concierge-level service to make every trip magical. Their team of expert agents plans vacations across the globe, from Disney and Universal to cruises and adventures, ensuring you have the best possible experience without the stress. Book Now Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Welcome back to the Epic Universal podcast. I'm entertainment writer Jim Hill,
0:20.4	and this is the podcast where we cover the
0:22.9	latest universal news, rumors, and history. And as always, I'm joined by my co-hoax, who's kind of
0:31.0	under the weather tonight, folks, Eric Hersey. Listen, we're always, we're always under the weather.
0:35.4	And I'll tell you where it came from. It's doing a double-decker bus tour in Vegas when it was only 50 degrees, and it actually
0:41.5	even was sprinkling.
0:42.8	And this is a desert, Jim.
0:44.1	I didn't realize that.
0:46.3	Our first stop was immediately to find cheap hoodies.
0:49.2	So we made it happen.
0:51.1	We basically left Vegas with some colds, but we're going to make it all right.
0:55.8	Okay. Now, a quick question, again, obviously, anyone who listened to the show last week or thereabouts,
1:03.2	you were sent out there with an assignment to peek over the fence at the, what is it, the Universal Horror Unleashed?
1:10.6	Did you guys actually manage to make it down there?
1:12.9	Listen, I'm going to thank a vlogger, a prolific vlogger,
1:18.7	Adam the Woo, because believe it or not, he was,
1:21.8	he was, listen, Adam the Woo was in Vegas at the exact same time we were and he beat us to the punch and
1:30.9	actually saved me the trip because on, geez, it was on that Tuesday. I think he went over to
1:37.7	the Mega Mart, which is right next. So the area 15, which is that area because I looked it up on
1:43.3	the map and I'm like, all right, how are we going to get there? Okay. And he actually went and vlog and showcased everything.
1:49.1	And we get to the structure, what it looks to be the universal thing. Nothing worth going for for me.
1:55.8	Because it was a matter. It was structured, nothing to see. And I'm like, Adam, thank you so much.
	...

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