Why they can't even have a legitimate name. Mule, donkey, ass. But a horse is a horse of course, of course. Jewish peasants in Anavtevka argue over the trading of a horse, claiming that it was a mule. Their reputation has them as stubborn creatures, sitting defiantly when they don't intend to move. But in films, little farm boys love them, especially Mexican ones, so that says something about their sweetness. Troubled farmboy Lon McCallister seems able to handle the two mules that their new owner (and his employer) Tom Tully can't, so he agrees to pay $5 a month for them. Unbeknownst to McCallister, the arrogant Tully is in cahoots with his nasty stepbrother to prevent him from completing the payment, all because of a vendetta against stepmother Anne Revere whose nastiness drove Lon's father out of their own home to his death.
This film is known as the debut of Marilyn Monroe in a brief talking part (on and off in a second), and shouldn't be viewed with seeing her in mind. The female lead is the pretty blonde June Haver who was the musical rival to Betty Grable, and she's photogenic, charming and likable, if not completely magical. As her younger sister, Natalie Wood is as precocious as usual, but can't steal the film from the mules or lovable drunk Walter Brennan. McCallister gives a sincere performance, while Tully digs deep to show the many aspects of his bitter farmer. In her few scenes, Revere shows the ugliness of her character who has no redeeming qualities. The mixture of family melodrama and light comedy makes this rural slice of life film an entertaining time filler.
This film is known as the debut of Marilyn Monroe in a brief talking part (on and off in a second), and shouldn't be viewed with seeing her in mind. The female lead is the pretty blonde June Haver who was the musical rival to Betty Grable, and she's photogenic, charming and likable, if not completely magical. As her younger sister, Natalie Wood is as precocious as usual, but can't steal the film from the mules or lovable drunk Walter Brennan. McCallister gives a sincere performance, while Tully digs deep to show the many aspects of his bitter farmer. In her few scenes, Revere shows the ugliness of her character who has no redeeming qualities. The mixture of family melodrama and light comedy makes this rural slice of life film an entertaining time filler.