Francis the talking mule also became a popular comic book series. Francis the talking mule the beautiful and talented mule that starred with donald oconnor in six laughfilled, rollicking major motion pictures, then one with mickey rooneywas originally named molly. One of the most beloved family films of all time, francis the talking mule stars donald oconnor as a bewildered soldier who befriends an old army mulewho happens to talk. The truthful soldier stirling didnt know how to lie about his source of information, the talking army mule, francis, so he was treated as a lunatic and led to one after another hilarious situations, where the mule was the only one that appeared in his right mind. The picture was a great success and spawned a series for the studio, as well as a miniindustry of francis spinoffs like. Book depository books with free delivery worldwide. While fighting in burma, army soldier peter stirling is befriended by the eponymous, intelligent animal who helps peter become a war hero. One of the bestremembered animal stars in film, francis the talking mule was first seen in the simplytitled francis 1950, produced at universal pictures. The famous talking mule comic books for sale online. Francis the talking mule is based on the 1946 novel by david stern, who also wrote the screenplay. Values of francis the famous talking mule fourcolor. Army captain david stern iii wrote three short stories about francis the talking mule to esquire magazine and after the war, 1946, turned all three into this book francis. Fifth in the series of universal studios talking mule movies, this entry provides very little that is not predictable since the francis films, in spite of their scripted absurdity, were calculable successes at the box office and there was scant cause to use innovation. The mule helped his hapless friend through many tight squeezes but the comedy part was that the mule refused to let anyone else see him speak just like mr.
Adventures of francis the talking mule by arthur lubin. Begins on inside front cover, and concludes on inside back cover. The character originated in the 1946 novel francis by former u. Including all 7 movies from one of the most beloved comic series, donald oconnor stars as bewildered soldier peter stirling, who is helped out of one tricky situation after another by the unlikeliest of heroes, his pal francis. Adventures of francis the talking mule available in dvd ship this item qualifies for free shipping buy online, pick up in store is currently unavailable, but this item may be available for instore purchase. A talking mule helps a hapless soldier uncover an enemy agent. So what is correct is that francis had a dad who was a jackass. What is your francis the famous talking mule fourcolor comic book worth.
Francis the talking mule complete collection available in dvd ship this item qualifies for free shipping buy online, pick up in store is currently unavailable, but. Adventures of francis the talking mule by arthur lubin arthur lubin. But unfortunately, stirling is labelled a lunatic every time he tries to explain that francis can actually talk. Donald oconnor stars as bewildered soldier peter stirling who is helped out of one tricky situation after another by the unlikeliest of heroes, his pal francis. Francis the talking mule complete collection by arthur lubin. So, the content, one can imagine, is about fighting the japanese shortly after the bombing of pearl harborin burma. One of the most beloved family films of all time, francis the talking mule stars donald oconnor as a bewildered soldier who befriends an old army mule. Francis the talking mule complete collection features the hilarious escapades of the delightfully funny, old army mule who happens to talk.
Find the value of the dell comic francis the famous talking mule fourcolor volume 1. Francis the talking mule dvd 1950 universal studios. An officer donald oconnor becomes a war hero with tips from a talking mule. Even so, its still a fun film to watch, especially if you like donald oconnor. Francis the talking mule complete collection features the hilarious escapades of the delightfully funny, old army mule. The debut of francis, the talking mule of world war ii. The universal 100th anniversary edition of francis the talking mule is out today on dvd. Looking back on it now, however, after nine years of televisions mister ed and the current plethora of talking cartoon animals, it seems a bit dated. Francis, the talking mule voiced by chill wills from the francis series between 1950 and biography of talking mule, francis the, artist history and information of talking mule, francis the like movies acting direction etc francis the talking mule. Francis in the navy movie trade ad talking mule comedy. In 1952, 1954, 1955, and 1956, francis molly would take the second place patsy award in the motion pictures category. Donald oconnor, mickey rooney, piper laurie, patricia medina, yvette dugay, lori nelson. David stern, 94, of francis, talking mule the new york.
Two, sort of picky but also sort of asking, but i noticed that francis is being consistently referred to as a jackass, but that is not correct, is it. Francis the talking mule was a mule character who became a celebrity during the 1950s as the star of seven popular universalinternational film comedies. Francis molly was the very first recipient of the american humane association annual patsy award in 1950 taking first place in the motion pictures category. This is the sixth film in universalinternationalfrancis the talking mule series. Francis covers the big town francis goes to the races francis goes to west point francis in the haunted house. A talking mule was quite original back in 1950 when i first saw this film. David stern writer universal studios home entertainment, 362012. Francis the talking mule complete collection by arthur. Army captain david stern iii wrote short sketches about francis, a talking mule in burma during the war against the japanese. Now, having said that stern, who served in the army during wwii u. Peter stirling donald oconnor is a bewildered soldier, who befriends an old army mule that just happens to talk. The fiery torino sped into the street and we spilled into action.
Molly, the missouri mule who played francis, with costar donald oconnor and patricia medina. The adventures of francis the talking mule features four films in the popular series with the old army mule who happens to talk. This male offspring of a donkey and a horse has the power of speech. Second lieutenant peter stirling oconnor repeatedly finds himself in a mental hospital after he tries to explain to his unbelieving superior officers that a talking animal rescued him from behind enemy lines. This talking mule from missouri was a star neighbors. Fine an exceptional, aboveaverage copy that shows minor wear but is still relatively flat and clean with slight creasing or minor defects. The hand of peter stirling open the pages of the novel revealing the credits of. Francis the talking mule the complete collection is out today on dvd.
Volume 1 francis the talking mule francis goes to the races francis goes to west point francis covers the big town. Francis the talking mule complete collection features the hilarious escapades of the delightfully funny, old army mulewho happens to talk. The films were based on a popular book about a military man who meets a. Francis is a 1950 american blackandwhite comedy film from universalinternational that launched the francis the talking mule film series. Donald oconnor plays the naive lieutenant and francis is voiced by the western twang of chill willis. Francis movie was that francis the mule befriended a not so successful private in the army played by donald oconnor. The hilarious exploits of one of the screens most beloved comic characters, francis the talking mule, are available on dvd for the first time in this special. David stern iii, former publisher of the new orleans item and author of the novel francis, the talking mule, which inspired a series of movies, died on saturday in san francisco. So, if anyone was going to make a go of a talking mule, it would be universal.
Their francis films also gave cbs the idea for a successful television series about a talking horse that ran from 195866. The novel by david stern about francis, the talking army mule, that started the franchise. David stern, 94, of francis, talking mule the new york times. The film starsdonald oconnor andmartha hyer, and marked the first credited film role ofclint eastwood. Buy a cheap copy of the adventures of francis the talking. Francis the talking mule page 2 classic horror film board. Francis the mule, was and is still a favorite comedy. Arthur lubin directed from sterns original screenplay. Series movies donkeys zebras old hollywood fun things bing images past shows horses.
Francis the talking mule complete collection available in dvd ship this item qualifies for free shipping buy online, pick up in store is currently unavailable, but this item may be available for instore purchase. This clip starts out with donald oconnor being on trial. In the films, francis is supposed to be male his gruff voiceover provided by famous character actor chill wills. He takes a bumbling reporter named david prescott under his wing and the two of them set out to solve the crime. Francis is produced by robert arthur, directed by arthur lubin, and stars donald oconnor and patricia medina. The book chronicled the saga of a gifted army mule whose advice to a bumbling young lieutenant wins battles and astounds the high brass. This collection includes all 7 movies following the perpetually overwhelmed soldier peter stirling donald oconnor and his.
Movie poster for the first of six francis movies in which oconnor starred with molly. Francis the talking mule text story 2 pages report information script. Army captain david stern iii 19092003, son of newspaper publisher j. However, when his four legged friend appears with plans of heroic action, the. The adventures of francis the talking mule features four films in the popular series with the old army mulewho happens to talk.
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