"Finn's Rainbow, when it debuted in 1947 had a charming score with many memorable songs ("Look to the Rainbow", "How Are Things In Glocca Moora", "Old Devil Moon, If This Isn't Love, etc), and a long, too involved book, that centered around racial intolerance.
By 1968, with musicals on their way out of style, and racial issues at their highest in this country, it probably was not the most opportune time to produce "Finian's Rainbow for the screen.
And the result is an out of date musical, with out of style music, and a book, that is again too long and goes off on too many tangents.
But it does have Fred Astaire in what I think is one of his best roles. Astaire was in his late 60's at the time, but oh, how he could still dance, and be the most charming person on the screen. The movie is worth seeing for his performance alone. But it also has a charming performance by Petula Clark, as his daughter Sharon. Clark may be a little too old for the role, but I think her rendition of "How are things..", is one of the loveliest songs I've heard in film.
Tommy Steele is also wonderful as Og the leprechaun who falls in love and turns mortal. The only person who is grossly miscast is Don Francks, as Woody Mahoney, Sharon's love interest. He is at least 15-20 years too old, has absolutely no personality, and no chemistry with Clark and Astaire. Somebody must have owed him big time, in order for him to get this part. He almost ruined the film for me.
But in the end, I just waited for Astaire-Clark-Steele to come back on screen. Again, there are a number of large flaws in the film, but to see Fred Astaire dancing his heart out one more time, I'm glad I saw it.
By 1968, with musicals on their way out of style, and racial issues at their highest in this country, it probably was not the most opportune time to produce "Finian's Rainbow for the screen.
And the result is an out of date musical, with out of style music, and a book, that is again too long and goes off on too many tangents.
But it does have Fred Astaire in what I think is one of his best roles. Astaire was in his late 60's at the time, but oh, how he could still dance, and be the most charming person on the screen. The movie is worth seeing for his performance alone. But it also has a charming performance by Petula Clark, as his daughter Sharon. Clark may be a little too old for the role, but I think her rendition of "How are things..", is one of the loveliest songs I've heard in film.
Tommy Steele is also wonderful as Og the leprechaun who falls in love and turns mortal. The only person who is grossly miscast is Don Francks, as Woody Mahoney, Sharon's love interest. He is at least 15-20 years too old, has absolutely no personality, and no chemistry with Clark and Astaire. Somebody must have owed him big time, in order for him to get this part. He almost ruined the film for me.
But in the end, I just waited for Astaire-Clark-Steele to come back on screen. Again, there are a number of large flaws in the film, but to see Fred Astaire dancing his heart out one more time, I'm glad I saw it.