Francis (1950 film)
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| Francis | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Arthur Lubin |
| Written by | David Stern (also novel) |
| Starring | Donald O'Connor Patricia Medina |
| Release date(s) | 1950 |
| Running time | 91 minutes |
| Country | Image:Flag of the United States.svg United States |
| Language | English |
| Followed by | Francis Goes to the Races |
| IMDb profile | |
Francis is a 1950 black-and-white comedy film that launched the Francis the Talking Mule series. It starred Donald O'Connor as an American soldier who gets into trouble when he insists an Army mule named Francis can speak. The distinctive voice of Francis was provided by Chill Wills. It was directed by Arthur Lubin.
[edit] Plot summary
Second Lieutenant Peter Stirling (Donald O'Connor) is caught behind Japanese lines during World War II. Francis, a talking army mule, carries him to safety. When Stirling insists that the animal rescued him, he is placed in a psychiatric ward. Each time Stirling is released, he accomplishes something noteworthy (at the instigation of Francis). Each time, he is sent back to the ward when he insists on crediting the mule. Finally, Stirling gets General Stevens (John McIntire) to order Francis to speak, and he obeys.
During one of his enforced stays, he is befriended by Maureen Gelder (Patricia Medina), a beautiful French refugee. He grows to trust her and tells her about Francis. Later, a propaganda radio broadcast from Tokyo Rose mocks the Allies for being advised by a mule. This leads to Maureen being unmasked as a spy. The press is told that the absurd story was concocted in order to flush her out.
Francis is shipped back to America for further study, but his plane crashes in Kentucky. After the war, Peter searches for and finally finds him alive and well.
[edit] External links
- Francis at the Internet Movie Database
