Ma and Pa Kettle

The eldest son, a recent college graduate with plans to modernize farming through an affordable chicken incubator. He balances pride in his upbringing with a drive to secure financing for innovation, and his relationship with Kim Parker pushes him to reexamine what success means for his family.

The practical, strong-willed matriarch who keeps the family together. She defends their ramshackle home with wit and determination, guiding the kids and managing daily life while navigating conflicts with neighbors.

A good-natured, resourceful father who loves his family and stumbles into modernity with his slogan-winning schemes. He resists some gadgets but ultimately contributes to the family’s fortune and defense of their home.

An Easterner writer bringing theories about modern living into the rural setting. She forms a bond with Tom and helps uncover the truth about the slogan’s origins, while embracing Tom’s incubator project and later pursuing a relationship.

The arch-nemesis of the Kettles, a jealous neighbor who uses town politics to threaten their home. Her scheming creates obstacles and fuels the conflict that drives much of the plot.

The town’s authority figure who presides over the council and its decisions. His role reflects small-town governance and the push-pull between order and community.

A traveling salesman who is involved in the contest’s rival claims and the broader social network around the slogan. He embodies the era’s salesmanship and the frictions that accompany competition.

The town mailman who delivers the telegram announcing Pa’s prize, and a small, bustling link between the Kettles and the outside world. He’s part of the busy community that animates the plot.