Francis (1950 film)

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Francis
Directed by	Arthur Lubin
Produced by	Robert Arthur
Written by	David Stern (also novel)
Starring	Donald O'Connor Patricia Medina
Distributed by	Universal Pictures
Release date(s)	1950
Running time	91 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Followed by	Francis Goes to the Races
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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

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.