Summary
Francis in the Navy is a 1955 American black-and-white comedy film from Universal-International, produced by Stanley Rubin and directed by Arthur Lubin. The film stars Donald O'Connor and Martha Hyer, and marked the first credited film role of Clint Eastwood.[1] The distinctive voice of Francis is a voice-over by actor Chill Wills.
| Francis in the Navy | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release half-sheet display poster | |
| Directed by | Arthur Lubin |
| Written by | Devery Freeman David Stern |
| Produced by | Stanley Rubin |
| Starring | Donald O'Connor Martha Hyer |
| Cinematography | Carl E. Guthrie |
| Edited by | Milton Carruth Ray Snyder |
| Music by | Irving Gertz (uncredited) William Lava (uncredited) |
Production company | Universal Pictures |
| Distributed by | Universal-International |
Release date |
|
Running time | 80 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
This is the sixth film in Universal-International Francis the Talking Mule series.[2]
Plot edit
U.S. Army officer Lt. Peter Sterling gets mistaken for his lookalike in the U.S. Navy, Bosun's Mate 'Slicker' Donevan, and as a result gets promptly shipped to Donevan's base. With his old pal Francis, Sterling continues his military career misadventures, this time in the Navy.
Cast edit
- Donald O'Connor as Peter Stirling/Bosun's Mate 'Slicker' Donevan
- Martha Hyer as Betsy Donevan
- Richard Erdman as Murph
- Jim Backus as Commander E.T. Hutch
- Clint Eastwood as Jonesy
- David Janssen as Lieutenant Anders
- Leigh Snowden as Nurse Appleby
- Martin Milner as W.T. 'Rick' Rickson
- Paul Burke as Tate
- Myrna Hansen as Helen
- Phil Garris as Tony Stover
Production edit
Donald O'Connor was reluctant to make the film but agreed to do one more at the request of his daughter[3] (in addition to a financial inducement from Universal studio head Edward Muhl).[4]
It was once known as Francis Weighs Anchor and started filming February 15, 1955.[5]
The film was partially shot at the U. S. Navy base in Coronado California, not far from downtown San Diego.[6]
Stanley Rubin was producer on the film.[7]
See also edit
References edit
Citations
- ^ Eliot (2009), p. 35
- ^ Vagg, Stephen (14 September 2019). "The Cinema of Arthur Lubin". Diabolique Magazine.
- ^ Ava Gardner Gets Mail in Havana The Washington Post and Times-Herald 20 Aug 1954: 58.
- ^ Donald O'Connor Scheduled for Another 'Francis' Film Hopper, Hedda. Chicago Daily Tribune 18 Oct 1954: b16.
- ^ Gilbert, George (2 February 1955). "Arthur Lubin's Credo on Directing". Variety. p. 22.
- ^ Louella Parsons: Martha Scott Signs With C.B. The Washington Post and Times-Herald 7 Mar 1955: 26.
- ^ HOLLYWOOD HAILS 'OSCAR' CEREMONY: Film Industry Calls TV Event Best Paced in Three Years --Award Given to Garbo By THOMAS M. PRYOR New York Times 1 Apr 1955: 24.
Bibliography
- Eliot, Marc (2009). American Rebel: The Life of Clint Eastwood. Harmony Books. ISBN 978-0-307-33688-0.
External links edit
- Francis in the Navy at the TCM Movie Database
- Francis in the Navy at IMDb
- Review of film at Variety
