Donald O'Connor was an extremely talented singer and dancer. I loved him in Singing in the Rain. But in the 1950s he was joined by an unlikely co-star for a series of comedy films that were perfect entertainment for the entire family. We are talking Francis The Talking Mule.
I have loved these film ever since I was a kid and now the good folks at Kino Lorber under the division KL Studio Classics have released all 7 of these Francis films on one Blu-ray set, and I couldn't be happier. Take a look at the films included in this set.
Our Rating System:
****=Don’t Miss it!
***=Worth a look.
**=An OK way to spend an evening.
*=You haven’t missed anything.
Francis The Talking Mule (1950) During World War II, a junior American Army officer, Lt. Peter Stirling, gets sent to the psychiatric ward whenever he insists that an Army mule named Francis speaks to him. ****
Francis Goes to the Races (1951) Francis the talking mule helps Peter Stirling (Donald O'Connor) save a horse breeder's (Cecil Kellaway) ranch from racketeers. ****
Francis Goes to West Point (1952) Francis and Peter Stirling foil atomic-plant saboteurs and then Peter finds himself at West Point and Francis joins him for more trouble. ***
Francis covers the Big Town (1953) Peter Stirling gets a job on a newspaper, and soon find himself and Francis mixed up in a murder trial. ***
Francis Joins the Wacs (1954) After time away from the service Peter Stirling and Francis find themselves recalled to active duty...in the WACs! ***
Francis in the Navy (1955) Peter Sterling gets mistaken for his lookalike U.S. Navy petty officer 'Slicker' Donevan, and as a result gets promptly shipped to Donevan's base along with Francis. **
Francis in the Haunted House (1956) Francis witnesses a murder and then befriends bumbling reporter David Prescott (Mickey Rooney), who may be next in line. **
These films are so much fun! Donald O' Connor is a perfect and even Mickey Rooney is good. I would have liked to see how Mickey Rooney would have progressed in this series, but sadly no more films were made. The great Chill Wills lends his voice for Francis, and I can't imagine anyone else.
Now as amazing as it is with these men, this series has amazing supporting character actors and actresses including; Martha Hyer (Some Came Running), Julia Adams (The Jimmy Stewart Show), Virginia Welles (Kiss and Tell), Richard Erdman (Community), James Flavin (Man with a camera), Jim Backus (C.H.O.M.P.S.), Paul Cavanagh (The Scarlett Claw), Mamie van Doren (Teacher's Pet), Clint Eastwood (The Good, The Bad and The Ugly), Lynn Bari (The Amazing Doctor X), Mary Ellen Kaye (Colorado Sundown), David Janssen (The Fugitive, S.O.S. Titanic), ZaSu Pitts (Greed), Joan Shawlee (Some Like It Hot), Leigh Snowden (The Creature walks among us), Ralph Dumke (Forever Darling), Richard Gaines (The More the Marrier).
This 3 Disc Blu-ray set features all of these films remastered in 2K. All films are presented in 1080p in their original screen formats. The first five films are presented in 1.37:1 aspect ratio, Francis in the Navy in 2.00:1 aspect ratio and Francis and the Haunted House in 1.85:1. The audio is a Dolby Digital mono audio. There is also English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing.
Now full disclosure I have these films on DVD and I examined these new restorations in comparison to the DVD versions and I must say I am pleasantly surprised by how great they look. The new restorations give these films new life, and I am glad they are given a chance to thrive again and this time in HD.
Kino Lorber added some very cool bonus features on this set as well! Take a look at what is included in this set.
* Theatrical trailers for Francis goes to the races, Francis gores to West Point, Francis joins the WACs, Francis in the Navy and Francis in the Haunted House (All Newly Mastered)
* Audio Commentary for Francis the Talking Mule by Author/Film Historian Lee Gambin
* Audio Commentaries for Francis goes to the races and Francis and the Haunted house by Film Historian Eddy Von Mueller
* Audio Commentary for Francis goes to West Point by Film historian Toby Roan
* Audio Commentary for Francis covers the Big town by Film Historian Stephen Vagg
* Audio Commentary for Francis joins the Wacs by Film Historians Lee Gambin and Staci Layne Wilson
* Audio Commentary for Francis joins the Navy by Film Historians Lee Gambin and Paul Anthony Nelson
Sometime it is hard to find a film that the whole family can enjoy. I believe this this Blu-ray set does the trick. It will entertain the adults and the kids alike and without any content deemed offensive.
If you enjoy Mr. Ed or talking animal films, Francis the Talking Mule is going to be right up your alley. I can not recommend this set enough it is so great it gets our highest recommendation. Head over to Amazon and order your copy today before they are all gone.
Out of 4 film reels (4 being the best) KL Studio Classics Blu-ray release of Francis The Talking Mule Collection receives...
0 Comments