Finian's Rainbow (1968)

Thanks for the memories!

I don't have all the words right now but this film is a work of art.

Don't listen to the negative reviews

There's no way I can possibly love it entirely but I just think its ridiculously bad, but enjoyable at the same time.

I had absolutely no idea what to expect when I saw this film. I always loved Fred Astaire and Petula Clark. I also vaguely remember having a favorable impression of Tommy Steele from my childhood. The first few minutes were quite amazing, cinematography-wise, and we get to hear the first of about 3 (maybe 4) outstanding Broadway songs ("Look to the Rainbow," How Are Things in Glocca Morra" "When I'm Not Near the Girl I Love"). After that, this Titanic sinks quickly. The plot, if there is one, is a rambling mess about Finian, who stole the proverbial pot of gold at the end of the rainbow and stupidly thought it would "multiply" if he buried it somewhere near Fort Knox. Ooookay. Then we have the bizarre racist story-line which has no connection with the music. Next, we are bouncing back and forth between Fred and Petula and Tommy and Don Francks as "Woody" (horrid! -- we kept taking bets for when his toupee was going to come flying off) and Keenan Wynn as "The Senator" and poor lonely "Silent Susan" (Barbara Hancock, a gifted dancer, yes, but otherwise...)It was impossible to know who to root for or care about and so we just sat and laughed and made jokes about Don and Fred's toupees. It was amazing to see how incredibly well Fred could still dance; at the same time, he looked like he was exhausted and about ready to drop dead (even though he hung on for nearly 20 more years). So, yes, Fred was entertaining when he was dancing. Otherwise, he and everyone else (especially Tommy Steele, who redefines "over the top" every time he screams "Doom and gloom!") seemed to be lost in the flotsam and jetsam of what, I imagine, had some impact as a Broadway musical in the 1940s. By the time they brought it to the screen (directed, inexplicably, by Francis Ford Coppola), it was way too late for anyone to care. It seems woefully out of date and out of touch. Again, the three songs mentioned above were superb examples of fine songwriting, but the rest is a slogfest and a jaw-dropper. There are moments of unexpected hysterical laughter (but not for any reasons the filmmaker intended) and the will-he-won't-he-lose-his-wig betting contest you'll be having, but otherwise... run for the hills ... just not the ones that Finian's Rainbow floats over.

"Finian's Rainbow" is a musical that never achieves what it should have, given the talents involved.Fred Astaire plays the whimsical Finian, who travels to America in search of the perfect place to put down roots and fulfill his magical calling. Petula Clark plays his long-suffering daughter, following across glaciers and into the Grand Canyon (if you can believe the nonsensical montage during the credits) to a little valley in Kentucky that is populated with simple folk who dance and sing daily.Fred's dancing is, at times, delightful. At other times, it is too derivative of his own earlier performances. Petula Clark is the best thing in the film, with a voice that caresses the Irish dialect and makes each song special. There is some beautiful music in "Finian's Rainbow", notably "Look to the Rainbow" and "How Are Things in Glocca Morra?"It is said that Hermes Pan was fired because his choreography was too dated. During some dance sequences the choreography does feel too old.Director Francis Ford Coppola created a film that has some wonderful moments mixed with some mediocre, slow sections. I prefer his very stylish take on the musical form, "One From the Heart", but "Finian's Rainbow" is worth watching, if only to see Fred and Petula.

Where to start? Well, the answer to that question is usually ... The Beginning ... and that is where this film began going wrong! The opening shows stand-ins, for Fred and Petula, traveling across America on there way to Fort Knox! I have a feeling that the film cutters didn't get much schooling, because, in one shot you have them at The Golden Gate Bridge (will they ever paint it gold), in another shot you see them at Mount Rushmore, and in the very next shot they are at the Grand Canyon! Petty silly mistake that even the director never noticed! And, while mentioning the Director ... this movie could've done better with a better director ... talk about delusions of grandeur ... if it weren't for the great cast, this movie would have lost every penny that went into it! I got so tired of seeing the color of yellow everywhere! The sets ... some are good, some are pretty pathetic. At one point you can see the squares of grass used to represent a lush Irish setting! And did I see yellow daffodils growing in bushes and trees? I think I did! And what about when the pot of gold is buried, with dirt shoveled into the pot ... and when it is found, by the death mute, there is no dirt in the crock? There is also a part when Petula is laying in the grass and begins to sing, but all of the sudden she's sitting up, then she's laying down again in the next shot.By the way ... there appears to be several sexual innuendos in the movie. One in the song about the mortgage, one during the first wedding scene ... plus a couple more.Petula Clark is great in the film, and it surprises me that she didn't do much after this film ... perhaps because this movie was lacking the quality it should have had, and the actor's careers suffered do to that? Or was it a problem of not advertising the movie and its stars well enough? Because the songs, the singing, the star power, and the acting, was fabulous ... however, a major downer was the prejudice theme within the movie, which is something I have a problem with when it comes to using prejudices in any form of entertainment ... its extremely subliminal, brainwashing! True, the stars got angry about anyone being prejudice against someone just because they're black ... which was good ... but these problems should not find themselves in any of our forms of entertainment! And the part in regards to the Senators bromo was too long! Anyhoots ... basically, there are plenty of goofs in this movie, it should get an award for them all ... or at least be entered into The Guinness Book Of Records! But, guess what ... I actually liking listening to this movie ... I just don't like watching it!By the way, I loved it when the deaf mute received her voice, and sang with everyone ... because she is no singer, but the realism of the moment was perfect directing ... it suited her part in the movie.

I remember seeing this film when it was first released. I absolutely hated it - too slow-moving, and the male romantic lead was a cipher. Even the songs were manipulated to the point that I could barely stand to listen to them. Tommy Steele was far too frenetic as Og, the leprechaun. Its saving graces were Fred Astaire, Petula Clark (although she seemed too old in the role of Sharon), and Keenan Wynn. I've avoided it like the plague ever since.Tonight, thanks to Turner Classic Movies, I finally watched it again. And you know what? It's a lot better than I remembered. I don't know what has caused the turnabout in my opinion, except perhaps the lack of quality of most of the musical films that have come along since FINIAN'S RAINBOW in 1968. It still has a few longueurs, but generally it's very enjoyable. Even Tommy Steele isn't too bad. Don Francks is still dramatically stiff, but he's better than I remembered, and he sings well. And oh, those songs! It's a shame that "Necessity" was cut, but otherwise, what a string of melody - How are Things in Glocca Morra, Old Devil Moon, When I'm not Near the Girl I Love, and more.Thank you, TCM, for giving me a second chance with this film!