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Francis Covers the Big Town

9 votes

Producing House

A man who has a talking mule gets a job on a newspaper, and both get mixed up in a murder trial.

movie

Status: Released

Released Date: 1953-06-10

Runtime: 86 mins

Director: Arthur Lubin

Writer: Oscar Brodney

Spoken language: English

Genres: Adventure, Comedy, Crime, Family, Fantasy, Romance

Original title: Francis Covers the Big Town

Production Companies: Universal International Pictures

Production Countries: United States of America

Cast

Donald O'Connor
Peter Stirling

Donald O'Connor

Yvette Duguay
Maria Scola

Yvette Duguay

Gene Lockhart
Tom Henderson

Gene Lockhart

Nancy Guild
Alberta Ames

Nancy Guild

William Harrigan
Inspector Hansen

William Harrigan

Silvio Minciotti
Salvatore Scola

Silvio Minciotti

Lowell Gilmore
Jefferson Garnet

Lowell Gilmore

Larry Gates
Dan Austin

Larry Gates

Hanley Stafford
Dr. Goodrich

Hanley Stafford

Gale Gordon
Evans

Gale Gordon

Forrest Lewis
Judge Stanley

Forrest Lewis

Chill Wills
Francis (voice) (uncredited)

Chill Wills

Charles Flynn
Jones

Charles Flynn

Francis the Talking Mule Collection

Francis
2.8

Francis

1950-02-08

During World War II, a junior American Army officer, Lt. Peter Stirling, gets sent to the psychiatri

Francis Goes to the Races
3.3

Francis Goes to the Races

1951-05-01

In this funny sequel to the popular Francis the Talking Mule, the talkative Mule and his pal Peter g

Francis Goes to West Point
2.9

Francis Goes to West Point

1952-07-01

Francis the talking mule gets his owner in and out of trouble while he is taking basic training at W

Francis Covers the Big Town
2.4

Francis Covers the Big Town

1953-06-10

A man who has a talking mule gets a job on a newspaper, and both get mixed up in a murder trial.

Francis Joins the WACS
2.9

Francis Joins the WACS

1954-07-30

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

Francis in the Navy
2.7

Francis in the Navy

1955-08-24

In the U. S. Army intelligence office, bumbling lieutenant Peter Stirling receives a coded message f

Francis in the Haunted House
2.5

Francis in the Haunted House

1956-07-09

A Ha-Ha-Haunted House Has Got 'Em! ...and it's every ghost for himself!

Reviews

r

r96sk
<em>'Francis Covers the Big Town'</em> drags on a fair bit, with that said it's marginally better than two of its three predecessors. The lack of an army-related plot is a big plus, with a visit to New York City as a wannabe journalist making for a decent storyline. As noted, it does lose steam as the 85 minute or so run time ticks on, but I prefer this entry to 1950's <em>'Francis'</em> and 1952's <em>'Francis Goes to West Point'</em>. Donald O'Connor - even though his character is made a tad more unlikeable here, intentionally so I presume - remains the only cast member worth talking about; well, alongside voice actor Chill Wills, I guess. Just the three films left to watch from this series...
2022-01-04

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