Finian's Rainbow (film)

Finian's Rainbow (film)
Name	Finian's Rainbow
Caption	Theatrical release poster
Director	Francis Ford Coppola
Producer	Joseph Landon
Based on	Finian's Rainbow, musical by E. Y. Harburg and Fred Saidy, book by Burton Lane
Starring	Fred Astaire Petula Clark Tommy Steele Don Francks Al Freeman Jr.
Cinematography	Philip H. Lathrop
Editing	Melvin Shapiro
Studio	Warner Bros.-Seven Arts
Distributor	Warner Bros.-Seven Arts
Released	1968, 10, 9
Runtime	145 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$3.5 million

Finian's Rainbow (film) is a 1968 American musical fantasy film directed by Francis Ford Coppola and starring Fred Astaire and Petula Clark. It is an adaptation of the 1947 Broadway musical of the same name, with a book by E. Y. Harburg and Fred Saidy and music by Burton Lane. The film blends whimsical Irish folklore with pointed social satire, set against the backdrop of the American South and featuring themes of racial prejudice and economic exploitation.

Plot

Irish immigrant Finian McLonergan arrives in the fictional state of Missitucky with his daughter, Sharon, and a stolen pot of gold he believes will multiply if buried near Fort Knox. They befriend a sharecropping community led by Woody Mahoney and encounter a bigoted senator, Billboard Rawkins. When Sharon wishes for Rawkins to understand the plight of the oppressed, a leprechaun named Og, whose gold was stolen, turns the senator black, forcing him to experience racism firsthand. The plot intertwines the community's struggle against a hostile Georgia tobacco magnate with Og's comedic attempts to retrieve his gold and regain his immortality.

Cast

The ensemble features legendary performer Fred Astaire as the charming rogue Finian McLonergan. British pop icon Petula Clark plays his earnest daughter, Sharon. Tommy Steele portrays the energetic leprechaun Og, while Don Francks is the optimistic labor organizer Woody Mahoney. Al Freeman Jr. delivers a powerful performance as the transformed Senator Rawkins. Supporting roles include Keenan Wynn as the scheming J.P. Morgan-esque businessman, Ronald Colby as his henchman, and Barbara Hancock as Woody's mute sister, Susan. The Howard University Choir provides robust musical backing.

Production

The project was a major studio endeavor for the newly formed Warner Bros.-Seven Arts. Director Francis Ford Coppola, then early in his career, was hired after the success of his film You're a Big Boy Now. Shooting took place primarily at the Warner Bros. lot in Burbank, California, with some location work in Napa Valley and Kentucky. The production faced challenges, including Coppola's clashes with the veteran Fred Astaire over creative differences and the logistical difficulties of blending practical effects with the musical's magical elements. The film's substantial budget was evident in its elaborate sets and large-scale musical numbers.

Music and songs

The score, adapted from the Burton Lane and E. Y. Harburg Broadway original, features several classic songs. Petula Clark performs the hopeful "How Are Things in Glocca Morra?" and the romantic duet "Old Devil Moon" with Don Francks. Tommy Steele leads the lively "Something Sort of Grandish" and the show-stopping "When I'm Not Near the Girl I Love." The Howard University Choir elevates gospel-infused numbers like "The Begat" and "Necessity." Orchestrations were handled by Ray Heindorf and Lennie Hayton, with Hermes Pan providing the choreography, including a notable dance sequence for Fred Astaire to "If This Isn't Love."

Release and reception

Warner Bros.-Seven Arts released the film on October 9, 1968. It was not a major commercial success, failing to recoup its budget amid a shifting cinematic landscape that was moving away from traditional musicals. Critical reception was mixed; some praised its bold social commentary and energetic performances, while others found its blend of fantasy and politics awkward. The film earned two Academy Award nominations: Best Original Score for Ray Heindorf and Best Sound. Despite its initial performance, it later developed a cult following, particularly among admirers of Francis Ford Coppola's eclectic early work.

Legacy

While not among Francis Ford Coppola's most celebrated works like The Godfather or Apocalypse Now, the film remains a fascinating artifact. It captures a moment of transition in Hollywood, where old-fashioned musicals grappled with contemporary social issues. The film is noted for its prescient, if broadly played, treatment of racial themes. It has been preserved in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant." Revivals and screenings, often at institutions like the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, highlight its unique place in the careers of its director and stars, particularly as Fred Astaire's final film musical role.

Category:1968 films Category:American musical films Category:Films directed by Francis Ford Coppola