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Francis Joins the WACS

  • 19541954
  • ApprovedApproved
  • 1h 35m
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
395
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Julie Adams, Donald O'Connor, Mamie Van Doren, and Chill Wills in Francis Joins the WACS (1954)
Peter Stirling (with his old friend the talking mule) is recalled to active duty...in the WACs!
Play trailer2:26
1 Video
6 Photos
  • Comedy
  • Family
  • Fantasy

Peter Stirling (with his old friend the talking mule) is recalled to active duty...in the WACs!Peter Stirling (with his old friend the talking mule) is recalled to active duty...in the WACs!Peter Stirling (with his old friend the talking mule) is recalled to active duty...in the WACs!

IMDb RATING
6.4/10
395
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Arthur Lubin
  • Writers
    • Herbert Baker(story)
    • Devery Freeman
    • James B. Allardice
  • Stars
    • Donald O'Connor
    • Julie Adams
    • Chill Wills(voice)
Top credits
  • Director
    • Arthur Lubin
  • Writers
    • Herbert Baker(story)
    • Devery Freeman
    • James B. Allardice
  • Stars
    • Donald O'Connor
    • Julie Adams
    • Chill Wills(voice)
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 4User reviews
    • 7Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 2:26
    Trailer

    Photos6

    Julie Adams, Donald O'Connor, Mamie Van Doren, and Molly in Francis Joins the WACS (1954)
    Julie Adams, Donald O'Connor, and Mamie Van Doren in Francis Joins the WACS (1954)
    Julie Adams, Martha Hyer, Donald O'Connor, and Molly in Francis Joins the WACS (1954)
    Donald O'Connor and Molly in Francis Joins the WACS (1954)
    Mara Corday, Elsie Holmes, Karen Kadler, Donald O'Connor, and Joan Shawlee in Francis Joins the WACS (1954)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Donald O'Connor
    Donald O'Connor
    • Peter Stirlingas Peter Stirling
    Julie Adams
    Julie Adams
    • Capt. Jane Parkeras Capt. Jane Parker
    Chill Wills
    Chill Wills
    • Gen. Benjamin Kayeas Gen. Benjamin Kaye
    • (voice)
    • …
    Mamie Van Doren
    Mamie Van Doren
    • Cpl. Bunky Hilstromas Cpl. Bunky Hilstrom
    Lynn Bari
    Lynn Bari
    • Maj. Louise Simpsonas Maj. Louise Simpson
    Zasu Pitts
    Zasu Pitts
    • Lt. Valerie Humpertas Lt. Valerie Humpert
    Joan Shawlee
    Joan Shawlee
    • Sgt. Kippas Sgt. Kipp
    Allison Hayes
    Allison Hayes
    • Lt. Dicksonas Lt. Dickson
    Mara Corday
    Mara Corday
    • Kateas Kate
    Karen Kadler
    Karen Kadler
    • Margeas Marge
    Elsie Holmes
    • Bessieas Bessie
    Anthony Radecki
    • General's Aideas General's Aide
    Olan Soule
    Olan Soule
    • Capt. Creavy, Psychiatristas Capt. Creavy, Psychiatrist
    Molly
    Molly
    • Francisas Francis
    • (as Francis the Talking Mule)
    Richard Deems
    • Jeep Driveras Jeep Driver
    Patti McKay
    • Lt. Burkeas Lt. Burke
    Joel Allen
    • Military Policemanas Military Policeman
    • (uncredited)
    Dan Barton
    • Corporal MacDonaldas Corporal MacDonald
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Arthur Lubin
    • Writers
      • Herbert Baker(story)
      • Devery Freeman
      • James B. Allardice
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit
    On arrival at Fort Chase, ex-soldier Peter Stirling, recalled to active duty, is re-united with his old pal Francis the Talking Mule. Gradually, it dawns on Peter that a clerical error has assigned him to an all-female WAC base, where broad slapstick is the order of the day and Francis has more horse sense than any of the human officers. Too innocent to appreciate the pleasant aspects of his predicament, Peter ends by helping the "enemy" in a war-game battle of the sexes. —Rod Crawford <puffinus@u.washington.edu>
    • animal character name in title
    • psychotronic film
    • francis the mule character
    • mule
    • horse
    • 3 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • The Funniest New Comedy Idea in Years!
    • Genres
      • Comedy
      • Family
      • Fantasy
    • Certificate
      • Approved
    • Parents guide
      • Add content advisory

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The only "Francis" movie to credit Chill Wills. This is due to his dual role as the voice of Francis and Benjamin Kaye.
    • Quotes

      Francis the Talking Mule: What trick is there to talking? Any fool can do it.

    • Crazy credits
      The last credit is for 'Francis, the talking mule.'
    • Connections
      Followed by Francis in the Navy (1955)
    • Soundtracks
      I WANT TO ENLIST IN THE WACS
      (uncredited)

      Music by Britt Wood and George Beatty

      Lyrics by Britt Wood, George Beatty and Frederick Herbert

      Sung by Chill Wills

    User reviews4

    Review
    Top review
    4/10
    Naught Here Added To The Formula.
    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. Peter Stirling (Donald O'Connor), is recalled to active Army duty, but when the hapless lieutenant is assigned to a Women's Army Corps (WAC) detachment due to a flawed clerical procedure in the Pentagon, neither he nor his new distaff officer companions are pleased with a nonsensical situation. His WAC superiors believe that Peter has been planted as a scout and is being used to undermine their efforts opposing a men's army unit in an upcoming War Games matchup, and Peter and Francis invent a method to persuade the women that he is not there for clandestine purposes. The quaint pair is capable of attempting this because Peter's proxy specialty is training women soldiers to become camouflage experts and since the Games are going to be focused upon just such activity, the situation is readied for crucial events. The film was completed in Spring of 1954, shot primarily at California's Fort Ord, with numerous WACS assigned there being employed as extras in a film that pleasingly reflects the result of high-quality production values contributed by the Universal management. Arthur Lubin, director of all six of the O'Connor featured Francis films, offers sluggish pacing with this item, largely due to an overly complicated scenario that weighs down the final section dealing with camouflage competition between the military men and women. As with all Francis pictures, a primary interest in this one relates to early performances of well-known actors, including the initial yelps of fear from "Scream Queen" Allison Hayes, and Universal ingénues Mamie Van Doren and Julia Adams, although the best playing is by veteran ZaSu Pitts as an undone Army nurse; clever thematic scoring by Irving Gertz was used years later by the Studio for other releases.
    helpful•9
    3
    • rsoonsa
    • Jan 9, 2005

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • July 30, 1954 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Kaos i kasern
    • Filming locations
      • San Diego, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Universal International Pictures (UI)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 35 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.00 : 1

    Related news

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    Julie Adams, Donald O'Connor, Mamie Van Doren, and Chill Wills in Francis Joins the WACS (1954)
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