Francis in the Navy

Overview

In the U. S. Army intelligence office, bumbling lieutenant Peter Stirling receives a coded message from his friend, Francis, a talking mule. The note urges Pete to hurry to the Coronado, California naval base, where Francis is about to be sold as surplus. Pete rushes to the train station, but before he can board, nurse Betsy Donevan mistakes him for her shell-shocked brother, Navy boatswain Slicker Donevan. She tries to forcibly remove his uniform so he will not get into trouble for impersonating an Army officer. Finally she realizes that Pete is not Slicker but merely his mirror image.

Directed by Arthur Lubin

Top cast

Donald O'Connor

Peter Stirling / Slicker Donevan

Martha Hyer

Betsy Donevan

Richard Erdman

Murph

Jim Backus

Commander Hutch

Clint Eastwood

Jonesey

David Janssen

Lieutenant Anders

Leigh Snowden

Appleby

Martin Milner

Rick

Paul Burke

Tate

P

Phil Garris

Tony

Myrna Hansen

Helen

J

Jane Howard

Standish

Virginia O'Brien

Miss Kittredge

William Forrest

Admiral

Chill Wills

Francis (voice) (uncredited)

Frank Chase

Yeoman (uncredited)

Carl Switzer

Timekeeper (uncredited)

Details