Film Illiterate, wherein the proprietor records movies seen, and sporadic progress through assorted lists of the "best". Originally started after regretfully renting something forgettable for the third time. I've forgotten what, but never again! A tedious endeavour since 2005. Hello. 🙂
Francis, AKA Francis the Talking Mule, was the first of seven films made in the 1950s about the eponymous talking mule, voiced by Chill Wills (uncredited!). I'd never heard of this series, and can't be the only one to see "talking mule" and think of "Mr. Ed" (a horse is a horse, of course of course!). That series, it turns out, was created by Francis director Arthur Lubin, who had wanted to adapt the films for television but couldn't get the rights; he adapted a different set of books about a talking horse instead.
Peter Stirling (Donald O'Connor) is a GI in the Pacific theatre when he stumbles across Francis, a cynical talking mule, whose tips on Japanese movements and strategy lead to his rise through the ranks. Diffident Stirling, honest to a fault, is forced to admit the source of his intel to disbelieving officers who of course think he must be mad; when Francis inevitably does speak to others to set the matter straight, they in turn face the same disbelief. The plot is silly but it's charming, easy viewing, with very likeable characters.