Francis Joins the WACS (1954) | Directed by Arthur Lubin

“Francis Joins the WACS” is a 1954 American black-and-white comedy film directed by Arthur Lubin. This fifth installment in the “Francis the Talking Mule” series follows the misadventures of Peter Stirling, a junior officer mistakenly assigned to the Women’s Army Corps (WAC) due to a clerical error. With the help of his talking mule, Francis, Peter navigates the challenges of his unusual posting, leading to a series of comedic situations.

Genre: Comedy / Fantasy

Director: Arthur Lubin

Arthur Lubin (1898–1995) was an American film director and producer known for his work in comedy and fantasy genres. He gained prominence directing several Abbott and Costello films and is recognized for helming the “Francis the Talking Mule” series. Lubin’s adeptness at blending humor with whimsical elements contributed to his successful career in Hollywood.

Star Cast:

Donald O’Connor as Peter Stirling
Julie Adams as Captain Jane Parker
Mamie Van Doren as Corporal Bunky Hilstrom
Chill Wills as General Benjamin Kaye / voice of Francis
Lynn Bari as Major Louise Simpson
ZaSu Pitts as Lieutenant Valerie Humpert

Upon its release, “Francis Joins the WACS” was well-received, continuing the success of the “Francis” series. Variety noted that the film maintained the “screwball comedy” characteristic of its predecessors, presenting it “slickly” to audiences. The film’s box office performance surpassed that of the second, third, and fourth entries in the series, indicating sustained audience interest.

Fun Facts:

Chill Wills, who provided the distinctive voice of Francis, also appeared on-screen as General Benjamin Kaye, marking a unique dual role in the film.
The film was based on the story “Mr. WAC” by Herbert Baker, contributing to its comedic exploration of gender roles within the military context.
Filming commenced in February 1954, with production taking place at locations including Van Nuys, Los Angeles, and San Diego, California.
This installment was Donald O’Connor’s penultimate appearance as Peter Stirling in the “Francis” series, with “Francis in the Navy” (1955) marking his final portrayal of the character.
The film was released on July 30, 1954, and has since been made available on various home media formats, including a complete collection of the “Francis the Talking Mule” series.