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Francis Joins the WACS
Francis Joins the WACS
	VHS cover
Directed by	Arthur Lubin
Written by	Devery Freeman; James B. Allardice; Dorothy Davenport (add. dialogue); David Stern (characters)
Based on	story "Mr WAC" by Herbert Baker
Produced by	Ted Richmond
Starring	Donald O'Connor; Julie Adams; Mamie Van Doren; Chill Wills
Cinematography	Irving Glassberg
Edited by	Ted Kent
Music by	Irving Gertz; Henry Mancini; Frank Skinner
Production; company	Universal Pictures
Distributed by	Universal-International
Release date	July 30, 1954;
Running time	95 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Box office	$1.9 million (US and Canada rental)

Francis Joins the WACS is a 1954 American black-and-white comedy film from Universal-International, produced by Ted Richmond, directed by Arthur Lubin and starring Donald O'Connor, Julie Adams, ZaSu Pitts, Mamie Van Doren and Chill Wills in two roles, including that of the distinctive voice of Francis in voice-over.

This is the fifth film in Universal-International's Francis the Talking Mule series.^[3]

Plot

A computer error mistakenly assigns junior officer Peter Stirling to the Women's Army Corps (WAC). Peter's old friend Francis, a talking mule, helps him through his various military and personal problems, including several familiar stays in the base's psychiatric ward. The WACs are initially highly suspicious of him, suspecting him of having been sent by General Ben Kaye to sabotage their efforts to prove themselves. However, with the assistance of Francis, he is able to win their trust and prove their worth.

The film is noteworthy for Chill Wills, the voice of Francis, appearing on screen as General Kaye and the mule, who very reluctantly talks to him in order to prove Peter is not crazy.

Cast

Donald O'Connor as Peter Stirling
Julie Adams as Captain Jane Parker (as Julia Adams)
Mamie Van Doren as Corporal Bunky Hilstrom
Chill Wills as General Benjamin Kaye / voice of Francis
Lynn Bari as Major Louise Simpson
ZaSu Pitts as Lieutenant Valerie Humpert. Pitts played the same character in the first film of the series.
Joan Shawlee as Sergeant Kipp
Allison Hayes as Lieutenant Dickson
Mara Corday as Kate
Karen Kadler as Marge
Elsie Holmes as Bessie

Production

Donald O'Connor's contract with Universal had expired, so there was some doubt that he would reprise his role before he agreed to make another film.^[4]

Leonard Goldstein did not return as producer, being replaced by Ted Richmond.^[4]

Although Francis Joins the WACS was announced in late 1952, filming did not start until February 1954.^[5]

Reception

The Variety review stated that "The boxoffice outlook is good, since the same type of screwball comedy that has characterized this series is put forth slickly in this one."^[6]

According to a later issue of Variety, the film outgrossed the second, third and fourth in the Francis series.^[7]

Home media

Universal released all seven Francis films as a set on three Region 1 and Region 4 DVDs, Francis the Talking Mule: The Complete Collection.

References

^ "1954 Box Office Champs". Variety Weekly. January 5, 1955. p. 59. - figures are rentals in the US and Canada
^ "3 Majors Thrive on B Pix". Variety. 12 January 1955. p. 5.
^ Vagg, Stephen (14 September 2019). "The Cinema of Arthur Lubin". Diabolique Magazine.
^ ^a ^b Hedda Hopper (16 September 1952). "Looking at Hollywood: Next 'Francis' Film Puts Hero in WAC Camp". Chicago Daily Tribune. p. B4.
^ Thomas M. Pryor (19 February 1954). "R. K. O Plans Role For Miss Hayward: Fox Is Willing to Lend Actress for 'Conqueror' if Studio Sets Appropriate Date". The New York Times. p. 24.
^ "Francis Joins the WACS". Variety. July 1954.
^ Gilbert, George (2 February 1955). "Arthur Lubin's Credo on Directing". Variety. p. 22.