When Mr. Ed appeared as a TV series, I thought to myself, "They're stealing Francis's thunder. We saw these movies in our local theater. It was about seven or eight years after they came out. That's the thing with small town theaters. But this was what made them great. Francis is an Army mule and he has insights into what is going on because he can eavesdrop on conversations without being suspected. Donald O'Connor, the great song and dance man, becomes Francis's foil. He receives information. After getting over the fact that the mule can talk, he is put in terrible situations where he may have to reveal where he gets his information. Of course, Francis ain't talking to anybody else. Poor Donald. He goes through this time after time after time. I guess I saw more of these movies. I just don't remember them. As a kid it was a kick.
