- On the stage I did all kinds of parts, including eccentric comedians. But the role that brought me out to Hollywood was that of a rural sort of a fellow in "George Washington Slept Here." I repeated the role in the movie and I've been doing the same sort of thing since.
- [on the "Ma and Pa Kettle" films] We've tried to figure out the reason for their success. I think maybe it's because the moviegoer can laugh at these poor slobs and realize how well off he himself is. It's the same sort of formula that paid off in the old days with Marie Dressler and Wallace Beery and on the stage before that.
- [when asked if he would like to play a dramatic role] You bet I would. But I'm afraid I can't convince the producers. They probably think the audience would laugh as soon as it sees my face. And they could be right.
- [1952] I've reached the time in life when I should own a house and settle down but I know that Kettle virus would paralyze me when it came to mowing a lawn, sweeping off a porch or changing a light bulb. So I think the thing to do is to blow for New York and pick up some guest shots in television. But I'm off anything with the word "series" in it. From here in, that's not my line.
- [1953] I have had dozens of offers to do television series, but I have turned them all down. I might do one-shot appearances, but I won't let myself get tied down to one character.
- [when asked why he agreed to make Ma and Pa Kettle at Home (1954), his last Kettle movie] Well, the studio offered some nice inducements that were too appealing to pass up. For one thing, they now have a limousine to transport me to and from the studio. I don't drive, you see; I always had to take a taxi before. I am allowed to quit work at 4:30. Also, I only have to work five days a week; I get a day off besides Sunday. And the studio offered a nice little nugget as added inducement. So I agreed - on the stipulation that this would be absolutely the last one.
- I had my training on the stage, where I did a variety of roles. That's the fun of being an actor: to meet the challenge of creating new characters. But old Pa Kettle is always the same. He can do anything; there is no need to establish any motivation. There's no kick in doing him over and over again.
- They usually say "Hi, Percy" or "Hi, Pa" or "Hi, Kettle." Once in a great while I will get a formal "Hi, Mr. Kilbride." That's usually a tourist from Boston. I generally can get by with just a greeting, but sometimes I have to stop and chat a while. That can get to be a bore, so I usually act as though I am in a big hurry to get somewhere.
- After my contract was up, I told the studio I wouldn't do any more [Ma and Pa Kettle movies]. But then a new regime took over Universal. They offered me a limousine to and from work and an amazing amount of money. Well, I agreed to do one more. But I made them put in the contract that no one at the studio could even mention the possibility that I might do another one.
- [1964] I live very quietly. I see some friends now and then. Mostly, I walk. I walk four miles a day or more down to Wilshire Boulevard or over to Griffith Park. I like to walk. At night I stay in my apartment and read. Don't watch television. Don't do much of anything. Don't miss doing anything. It's pretty easy to do, you know, if you set your mind to it. I think it comes easy to actors. We spend a great deal of our lives doing nothing.
- It's not so bad with Marjie. She has a studio contract and they use her in other roles. But I don't have any studio.
- [1962] You know, on that last Kettle picture [Ma and Pa Kettle at Home (1954)], I wasn't feeling well at all. The doctor had to keep giving me injections to keep me going. I didn't know what was wrong with me. I was afraid I was going to die.
- [when asked if he missed his life as an actor] Oh, no, not at all. I find plenty to keep me busy. Now that I'm feeling so well, I might think about going back. But the role would have to be something worth doing.
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