DURABLE, LONG-LASTING and a perennial favourute on CBS Siundays, this unlikely premise for a sitcom just would not quit. ED survived all of its competition by following a few simple rules. There was never any false notions about its being "high brow" or even "art." Secondly, it maintained a high level of on-going humor; in short, it was funny.
WE ONCE HEARD a comment made by an acquaintance; whose acumen as a scribe or a film critic were just about naught. What he said was:
"I think that MR. ED is kinda a copy of FRANCIS THE TALKING MULE!" HMMMMM! WELL THAT is surely a hard hypothesis to refute; so we'll concede the argument and try to concentrate on that which makes them different.
WELL, OF COURSE the show has the same premise of that 1950's series of "B" Pictures. Starting with FRANCIS (Universal, 1950), there was a whole lot of "Francis the Talking Mule" movies. Aimed at the juvenile trade, all of the pictures save the last starred Donald O'Connor.* Co-starring as the voice of 'Francis' was the uncredited Chill Wills. Donald and Francis always managed to get into the most embarrassing situations and to run afoul of authority figures; being,. the Army, Newspapers, Family, Employers, what have you.
WITH THE ARRIVAL of MR.ED, it was made perfectly clear that the angle of attack would be different. Instead of all the trouble and comical situations' being generated by the 4 legged protagonist's interaction with strangers, Ed and Wilbur Post's problems almost always concerned misunderstandings with Wilbur (the ever youthful, Alan Young) and his wife, Carol Post (Connie Hines) or his variously featured neighbors. Former Republic Pictures' Western Star, Allan "Rocky" Lane, provided the voice of Mister Ed.
THE SERIES DID boast of some good writing, tight & economical direction and some appropriately perplexed reactions from the neighbors, portrayed by: Larry Keating, Edna Skinner, Leon Ames, Florence Mac Michael and others. In short, MISTER ED was much more domestic than those FRANCIS pictures.
PERHAPS THE MOST memorable of the MISTER ED was its opening theme song. "A Horse is a Horse; of Course, of Course......" has been sung, revered and parodied for nearly a half century.
IN THE CASE of many other themes, they are remembered long after their source (movie or series) has been forgotten. But that is not so here. As MISTER ED remains not just a fond memory; but continues to live on via the wonderful world of reruns.
NOTE: * After several installments of the "Francis Franchise", Donald O'Connor left the series; stating that the Mule was getting more fan mail than he was. One additional FRANCIS movie was made; albeit with Mickey Rooney and Paul Frees providing the "Mule elocution."
WE ONCE HEARD a comment made by an acquaintance; whose acumen as a scribe or a film critic were just about naught. What he said was:
"I think that MR. ED is kinda a copy of FRANCIS THE TALKING MULE!" HMMMMM! WELL THAT is surely a hard hypothesis to refute; so we'll concede the argument and try to concentrate on that which makes them different.
WELL, OF COURSE the show has the same premise of that 1950's series of "B" Pictures. Starting with FRANCIS (Universal, 1950), there was a whole lot of "Francis the Talking Mule" movies. Aimed at the juvenile trade, all of the pictures save the last starred Donald O'Connor.* Co-starring as the voice of 'Francis' was the uncredited Chill Wills. Donald and Francis always managed to get into the most embarrassing situations and to run afoul of authority figures; being,. the Army, Newspapers, Family, Employers, what have you.
WITH THE ARRIVAL of MR.ED, it was made perfectly clear that the angle of attack would be different. Instead of all the trouble and comical situations' being generated by the 4 legged protagonist's interaction with strangers, Ed and Wilbur Post's problems almost always concerned misunderstandings with Wilbur (the ever youthful, Alan Young) and his wife, Carol Post (Connie Hines) or his variously featured neighbors. Former Republic Pictures' Western Star, Allan "Rocky" Lane, provided the voice of Mister Ed.
THE SERIES DID boast of some good writing, tight & economical direction and some appropriately perplexed reactions from the neighbors, portrayed by: Larry Keating, Edna Skinner, Leon Ames, Florence Mac Michael and others. In short, MISTER ED was much more domestic than those FRANCIS pictures.
PERHAPS THE MOST memorable of the MISTER ED was its opening theme song. "A Horse is a Horse; of Course, of Course......" has been sung, revered and parodied for nearly a half century.
IN THE CASE of many other themes, they are remembered long after their source (movie or series) has been forgotten. But that is not so here. As MISTER ED remains not just a fond memory; but continues to live on via the wonderful world of reruns.
NOTE: * After several installments of the "Francis Franchise", Donald O'Connor left the series; stating that the Mule was getting more fan mail than he was. One additional FRANCIS movie was made; albeit with Mickey Rooney and Paul Frees providing the "Mule elocution."