This is the fourth of the Francis, the Talking Mule series entries. This time, Peter Stirling is in New York, working up to be a reporter for the newspaper there. At first, he's able to avoid revealing his source because writers of paper articles are supposed to be sworn to secrecy but one knows that won't last for long. It's also a matter of time before Francis (voiced once again by Chill Wills) reveals his vocabulary to anyone other than Donald O'Connor. This time he has two women to pick from: Yvette Duguay and Nancy Guild. One's cynical and sophisticated and one's more girl-next-door who also happens to be Italian (at least as a character in the movie). Guess which one wins? Anyway, this was another pretty enjoyable entry whenever Francis talks and when Peter tries explaining himself and not much else other than that. This will be my last review of the series even though three more eps were made since the DVD I saw this on only had the first four entries. Maybe someday...Actually, I may review Francis in the Navy which is on YouTube as of this moment...
6 Reviews
Francis Covers the Big Town (1953) ***
JoeKarlosi28 July 2004
At last! After three unsuccessful attempts at entertainment, this fourth entry worked well for me and is the best of the bunch so far. Francis the Talking Mule and his master, Donald O'Connor (or is it the other way around?) go to New York (the setting alone perks things up a bit) where they become mixed up in all sorts of trouble, including a murder trial. This installment is better written with more time devoted to the donkey, who's actually pretty funny for a change. The script also makes better use of its supporting characters and fashions a love affair for the bumbling O'Connor.
*** out of ****
*** out of ****
I prefer this entry to 1950's 'Francis' and 1952's 'Francis Goes to West Point'
r96sk4 January 2022
'Francis Covers the Big Town' 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 'Francis' and 1952's 'Francis Goes to West Point'.
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...
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 'Francis' and 1952's 'Francis Goes to West Point'.
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...
By no means the runt of the "Francis" litter!
JohnHowardReid19 March 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Copyright 8 May 1952 by Universal Pictures Co., Inc. A Universal-International Picture. No recorded New York opening. U.S. release: 17 June 1953 (sic). U.K. release (on the lower half of a double bill): 4 January 1954. Australian release: 20 February 1953 (sic). 7,741 feet. 86 minutes.
SYNOPSIS: Ace reporter is framed for murder. Fortunately, he has a witness who can prove his innocence. Unfortunately that witness is a talking mule. NOTES: Number four of the seven-picture series.
VIEWER'S GUIDE: Despite a slight emphasis on criminal activity, suitable for all.
COMMENT: Produced on an astonishingly lavish scale, this one not only benefits from its huge budget in sets, extras and real New York locations, but from a fine roster of support players including the ultra-lovely Nancy Guild (pronounced to rhyme with "child"), news editor Gene Lockhart and smooth villain Lowell Gilmore.
Director Arthur Lubin makes good use of his players and his sets, often staging the crowded action with long tracking shots. Definitely the most stylish and best-produced entry in the series.
The script is pretty much the usual thing with the verbose Francis sounding off and the usual double takes ("Who said that?" - "He can talk!"), but Lubin keeps it pacing along, even though the suave Gilmore is not introduced till rather late in the piece. Other technical credits match Lubin's expertise, with attractive photography and props, plus people-crowded sets, and a breezy music score.
SYNOPSIS: Ace reporter is framed for murder. Fortunately, he has a witness who can prove his innocence. Unfortunately that witness is a talking mule. NOTES: Number four of the seven-picture series.
VIEWER'S GUIDE: Despite a slight emphasis on criminal activity, suitable for all.
COMMENT: Produced on an astonishingly lavish scale, this one not only benefits from its huge budget in sets, extras and real New York locations, but from a fine roster of support players including the ultra-lovely Nancy Guild (pronounced to rhyme with "child"), news editor Gene Lockhart and smooth villain Lowell Gilmore.
Director Arthur Lubin makes good use of his players and his sets, often staging the crowded action with long tracking shots. Definitely the most stylish and best-produced entry in the series.
The script is pretty much the usual thing with the verbose Francis sounding off and the usual double takes ("Who said that?" - "He can talk!"), but Lubin keeps it pacing along, even though the suave Gilmore is not introduced till rather late in the piece. Other technical credits match Lubin's expertise, with attractive photography and props, plus people-crowded sets, and a breezy music score.
Francis and Don O'Conner again making a winning team.
weezeralfalfa3 December 2016
Warning: Spoilers
Having seen all 6 of the Frances + Don O'Connor series, I rate this as tied with "Francis Joins the WACs" as the most interesting of the series. The big town in the title is NYC. Don and Francis arrive with the idea that Don will become a newspaper reporter, after starting as a printer. Francis picks up news tips from street and stall horses and mules and unknown sources, transmits them to Don, who transmits them to reporters, who are skeptical at first. Don refuses to divulge his info source for a while, but eventually he has to, and is sent to a psycho ward several times. Eventually, Don is promoted to reporter, and soon becomes the star reporter, but people still think he is crazy. Finally, a psychiatrist agrees to go see Francis. Francis talks to him and queries him as he does his patients. Very funny.
Meanwhile, two women have become interested in Don. At first, the older sophisticate(Alberta) is in the lead. But, Don doesn't know how to romance her. Clearly, Francis doesn't like her and won't talk to her. Then, there's 17 year old Maria, daughter of a poor Italian immigrant. Clearly , she is implied to be the good girl underdog, appropriate for Don. Francis talks to her and gives her hints how to appear more attractive.
Alberta arranges for Don to meet the man(Garnet) Francis claims is the kingpin of a protection money racket, specializing in poor peddlers and small shops. They visit Francis, and while having a tussle, someone outside shoots Garnet dead(Were they actually targeting Don?). Don is blamed, as the gun was found in his hand. At his trial, Maria brings Francis who, after some delay, is sworn in and takes the stand. Very funny! Acquitted. Francis claims the murderer now is targeting him. That night a number of men congregate in the barn where Francis is, to await the possible appearance of the murderer. The murderer is caught and finally confesses. I won't reveal who it is. Any guesses? It's someone we have met.
Don says he wants to leave NYC. What about Maria? Francis says he wants to stay because he's found a girlfriend. Surprise who she is!
Meanwhile, two women have become interested in Don. At first, the older sophisticate(Alberta) is in the lead. But, Don doesn't know how to romance her. Clearly, Francis doesn't like her and won't talk to her. Then, there's 17 year old Maria, daughter of a poor Italian immigrant. Clearly , she is implied to be the good girl underdog, appropriate for Don. Francis talks to her and gives her hints how to appear more attractive.
Alberta arranges for Don to meet the man(Garnet) Francis claims is the kingpin of a protection money racket, specializing in poor peddlers and small shops. They visit Francis, and while having a tussle, someone outside shoots Garnet dead(Were they actually targeting Don?). Don is blamed, as the gun was found in his hand. At his trial, Maria brings Francis who, after some delay, is sworn in and takes the stand. Very funny! Acquitted. Francis claims the murderer now is targeting him. That night a number of men congregate in the barn where Francis is, to await the possible appearance of the murderer. The murderer is caught and finally confesses. I won't reveal who it is. Any guesses? It's someone we have met.
Don says he wants to leave NYC. What about Maria? Francis says he wants to stay because he's found a girlfriend. Surprise who she is!
A confusing entry into the "Francis" series, as all sense of continuity is missing.
planktonrules12 February 2023
In the previous film, "Francis Goes to West Point", Pete (Donald O'Connor) attends the military academy and it ends with him and Francis saying goodbye...and Pete finishing up his second of four years at West Point. Oddly, when "Francis Covers the Big Town", there's no mention of West Point, Francis and Pete are back together, and Pete is a copyboy at a newspaper. Now considering West Point graduates must serve in the Army a minimum of eight years after graduation AND have an easy time getting jobs after, Pete working such a lowly job makes no sense....nor does it make any sense that his time at the Academy is never mentioned. After all, if he was dismissed or quit, don't you think it would have been mentioned? All in all, this installment is poor from the outset because of major continuity problems. Can it overcome them and still be entertaining?!
As a lowly copyboy, Pete aspires to become a reporter. With the help of Francis his mule (who talks regularly to the police horses), he manages to get some important scoops and is promoted to reporter. But while he does well on the job, his love life is a mess, as he's interested in an unworthy woman while a nice young lady is interested...but he ignores her. Clearly, Pete is a putz and even dumber than usual...and a bit of a jerk in the way he treats her. Francis isn't pleased and promises to stop helping Pete with his news stories.
Soon the story becomes a murder mystery and Pete is accused to killing a well respected businessman. But the victim was the head of a protection mob and it's up to Francis to come to court to testify on Pete's behalf.
This story suffers in two ways. First, and I mentioned it above, is the lack of continuity with the previous episode. It's as if "Francis Goes to West Point" never happened. Second, the film isn't as funny as the previous films in the series. Overall, not a bad film but a disappointing one.
As a lowly copyboy, Pete aspires to become a reporter. With the help of Francis his mule (who talks regularly to the police horses), he manages to get some important scoops and is promoted to reporter. But while he does well on the job, his love life is a mess, as he's interested in an unworthy woman while a nice young lady is interested...but he ignores her. Clearly, Pete is a putz and even dumber than usual...and a bit of a jerk in the way he treats her. Francis isn't pleased and promises to stop helping Pete with his news stories.
Soon the story becomes a murder mystery and Pete is accused to killing a well respected businessman. But the victim was the head of a protection mob and it's up to Francis to come to court to testify on Pete's behalf.
This story suffers in two ways. First, and I mentioned it above, is the lack of continuity with the previous episode. It's as if "Francis Goes to West Point" never happened. Second, the film isn't as funny as the previous films in the series. Overall, not a bad film but a disappointing one.
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