mark.waltz
Why they can't even have a legitimate name. Mule, donkey, ass. But a horse is a horse of course, of course. Jewish peasants in Anavtevka argue over the trading of a horse, claiming that it was a mule. Their reputation has them as stubborn creatures, sitting defiantly when they don't intend to move. But in films, little farm boys love them, especially Mexican ones, so that says something about their sweetness. Troubled farmboy Lon McCallister seems able to handle the two mules that their new owner (and his employer) Tom Tully can't, so he agrees to pay $5 a month for them. Unbeknownst to McCallister, the arrogant Tully is in cahoots with his nasty stepbrother to prevent him from completing the payment, all because of a vendetta against stepmother Anne Revere whose nastiness drove Lon's father out of their own home to his death.This film is known as the debut of Marilyn Monroe in a brief talking part (on and off in a second), and shouldn't be viewed with seeing her in mind. The female lead is the pretty blonde June Haver who was the musical rival to Betty Grable, and she's photogenic, charming and likable, if not completely magical. As her younger sister, Natalie Wood is as precocious as usual, but can't steal the film from the mules or lovable drunk Walter Brennan. McCallister gives a sincere performance, while Tully digs deep to show the many aspects of his bitter farmer. In her few scenes, Revere shows the ugliness of her character who has no redeeming qualities. The mixture of family melodrama and light comedy makes this rural slice of life film an entertaining time filler.
JohnHowardReid
This was Marilyn Monroe's debut film, but you've got to be fast to catch her coming down the church steps. A scene of Marilyn with Colleen Townsend in a canoe, featured in many books, is not in the movie. So that's disappointing, but the film is an entertaining rural piece nonetheless. It features some fine acting, particularly from Anne Revere in a rare, unsympathetic role. Tom Tully also has a meaty role, and young Natalie Wood is very convincing. In fact, under the expert direction of screenwriter, F. Hugh "The Moon I Blue" Herbert (of all people!), just about the whole cast come up with great performances. Karnes is an exception, but he's still okay as the villain. And I thought Hull was more effective in his early scenes than in those later on. Tom Tully, Natalie Wood, June Haver, Walter Brennan and Lon McAllister are all excellent. And there's some great Technicolor photography.
moonspinner55
George Agnew Chamberlain's book about determined farm boy in rural small town America training two prize-winning mules to drive; pretty soon, he and the two stubborn creatures are hauling out logs from the forest and making fifteen dollars a day, which irks the man he bought them from as well as his own evil step-brother. Director F. Hugh Herbert, who also adapted the screenplay, does a terrific job setting the mood of the piece--frisky but also angst-ridden. Lon McCallister is the polite juvenile battling with his father's crude wife and her son for his dad's respect, later butting heads with farmer Tom Tully (in a convincingly angry, blow-hard performance). Although this is ostensibly a simple tale of a boy's love for two mules, there's a lot of busy melodrama going on. The scenario isn't overly-folksy, and the villains (including Anne Revere, in her least-sympathetic role ever) are surprisingly effective. The romance sub-plot between Tully's blonde, beautiful daughter June Haver and skinny McCallister doesn't quite work as well (she seems a bit out of his league); thankfully, little Natalie Wood is around a lot, spying on her neighbors and getting all the juicy gossip. Good contract-picture from Fox has an undeserved poor reputation (with its title causing most of the derision), but I was entertained from start to finish. Look fast for Marilyn Monroe as 'Betty' on the church steps. *** from ****
Michael
First, the good news; this isn't a Red Skelton comedy, as one might fairly presume on the basis of its dismally uningratiating title.Second, the bad news (which turns out not really so bad after all), it's actually just another 40s Fox B-movie horsey drama.Thirdly, the factual news. Yes, this IS Marilyn Monroe's first screen performance with dialogue, albeit in this print consisting of a salute of "Hi!" to June Haver over and done with before the retina has any chance to pass muster over the event. Speculation and debate still seems to rage over whether or not alternate versions of this film, featuring alternate MM footage, exist (chiefly some business in a canoe, which certainly I did not see in this particular print).Lastly, the reality of the film itself and revelation of the title mystery. Homesteader half-brothers bicker tiresomely over mule raising and racing - yes, MULES. The title refers to the human call used to rouse them into action; but against the odds this is far from as asininely scripted as that synopsis would lead you to expect.Not that that is to concede much, but it must be remarked upon that the Technicolor production is endearingly mounted by Ernest Palmer (slumming inbetween 'big' projects), with verdance particularly resplendent in the farming sequences. On the thespian front, Revere does her Fox-standby bit as a resilient matriarch (despite being only in her mid 40s), in addition to 9-year-old Natalie Wood; churning out sarcastic aphorisms almost worthy of WC Fields, but totally unsmackable due to the precocious sagacity of her delivery.
AD
