Friday, September 26, 2014

Francis the Talking Mule (1950)

This is a classic movie and the first of what became a series of movies. Donald O'Connor is the (human) hero of the film. While lost in the Burma jungle, he is rescued by a mule who can talk. Because he tells the brass about it, he is in and out of the psycho ward, but in the meantime Francis makes a hero of him. Chill Wills is the voice of Francis. Patricia Medina is the femme fatale. I will not spoil the plot by telling you the ending, but it is great fun. Wonderful movie for kids and adults.

At one point in the movie, the commanding general, played by John McIntire, makes his appearance. He is named Gen. Stevens in the movie, but, of course, in real life the commander in Burma was General Joseph "Vinegar Joe" Stilwell.

By the way, this movie holds a special place in my personal history, because my wife and I saw it on TV on our honeymoon.l

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McIntire

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