Francis (1950 film)

Francis is a 1950 American blackandwhite comedy film from UniversalInternational that launched the Francis the Talking Mule film series. Francis is produced by Robert Arthur, directed by Arthur Lubin, and stars Donald OConnor. The distinctive voice of Francis is a voiceover by actor Chill Wills.

Second Lieutenant Peter Stirling Donald OConnor is caught behind Japanese lines in Burma during World War II. Francis, a talking Army mule voiced by Chill Wills, 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, and each time he is sent back to the psych ward when he insists on crediting the talking mule. Finally, Stirling is able to convince General Stevens John McIntire that he is not crazy, and he and the general become the only ones aware of Francis secret. In an effort to get himself released from the psych ward, Stirling asks Stevens to order Francis to speak, but the mule will not obey until it becomes clear that Stirling will be arrested for treason if he remains silent.During one of his enforced hospital 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 the suspicion of Stirling or Maureen being a Japanese agent. The press is later informed that the absurd mule story was concocted in order to flush out the spy, and with Francis help, the real culprit is identified. ........

Source: Wikipedia