Francis in the Haunted House
Encyclopedia
Francis in the Haunted House is a 1956 black-and-white
comedy film
, the last in the Francis the Talking Mule
series, but without the talents of previous director Arthur Lubin
, human star Donald O'Connor
and Francis' best-known voice Chill Wills
. In this film, Francis witnesses a murder and befriends David Prescot, played by Mickey Rooney
who may be next in line. Francis explains that he once lived on the farm of Prescott's uncle and is protecting his nephew out of respect for the uncle. The mule eventually helps Prescott uncover a mystery involving murder, an inheritance and a spooky old mansion on the edge of town.
Black-and-white
Black-and-white, often abbreviated B/W or B&W, is a term referring to a number of monochrome forms in visual arts.Black-and-white as a description is also something of a misnomer, for in addition to black and white, most of these media included varying shades of gray...
comedy film
Comedy film
Comedy film is a genre of film in which the main emphasis is on humour. They are designed to elicit laughter from the audience. Comedies are mostly light-hearted dramas and are made to amuse and entertain the audiences...
, the last in the Francis the Talking Mule
Francis the Talking Mule
Francis the Talking Mule was a mule celebrity, featured in seven movie comedies in the 1950s. The character originated in a novel by writer David Stern, and Universal Studios bought the rights for a film series, with Stern adapting his own script for the first entry, simply titled...
series, but without the talents of previous director Arthur Lubin
Arthur Lubin
Arthur Lubin was an American film director and producer who directed several Abbott & Costello films and created the TV series Mr. Ed.Arthur Lubin was born Arthur William Lubovsky in Los Angeles, California in 1898...
, human star Donald O'Connor
Donald O'Connor
Donald David Dixon Ronald O’Connor was an American dancer, singer, and actor who came to fame in a series of movies in which he co-starred alternately with Gloria Jean, Peggy Ryan, and Francis the Talking Mule...
and Francis' best-known voice Chill Wills
Chill Wills
Chill Theodore Wills was an American film actor, and a singer in the Avalon Boys Quartet.-Biography:Wills was born in Seagoville, Texas in 1902. He was a performer from early childhood, forming and leading the Avalon Boys singing group in the 1930s...
. In this film, Francis witnesses a murder and befriends David Prescot, played by Mickey Rooney
Mickey Rooney
Mickey Rooney is an American film actor and entertainer whose film, television, and stage appearances span nearly his entire lifetime. He has won multiple awards, including an Honorary Academy Award, a Golden Globe and an Emmy Award...
who may be next in line. Francis explains that he once lived on the farm of Prescott's uncle and is protecting his nephew out of respect for the uncle. The mule eventually helps Prescott uncover a mystery involving murder, an inheritance and a spooky old mansion on the edge of town.
Cast
- Mickey RooneyMickey RooneyMickey Rooney is an American film actor and entertainer whose film, television, and stage appearances span nearly his entire lifetime. He has won multiple awards, including an Honorary Academy Award, a Golden Globe and an Emmy Award...
as David Prescott - Paul FreesPaul FreesPaul Frees was an American voice actor and character actor.-Biography:He was born Solomon Hersh Frees in Chicago...
as The Voice of Francis - Virginia Welles as Lorna MacLeod
- James FlavinJames FlavinJames William Flavin, Jr. was an American character actor whose career lasted nearly half a century.-Life and career:...
as Police Chief Martin - Paul CavanaghPaul CavanaghPaul Cavanagh was an English film actor. He appeared in over 100 films between 1928 and 1959. He was born in Chislehurst and died in London from a heart attack....
as Neil Frazer - Mary Ellen Kay as Lorna Ann
- David JanssenDavid JanssenDavid Janssen was an American film and television actor who is best known for his starring role as Dr. Richard Kimble in the television series The Fugitive , the starring role in the 1950s hit detective series Richard Diamond, Private Detective , and as Harry Orwell on Harry O.In 1996 TV Guide...
as Police Lieutenant Hopkins - Ralph Dumke as Mayor Hargrove
- Richard Gaines as D.A. Reynolds
- Richard DeaconRichard Deacon (actor)Richard Deacon , born in Philadelphia, was an American television and motion picture actor.-Career:The bald and usually bespectacled character actor often portrayed pompous or imperious figures. He made appearances on The Jack Benny Show as a salesman and a barber, and on NBC's Happy as a hotel...
as Jason - Dick Winslow as Sergeant Arnold
- Timothy Carey as Hugo