FINIAN'S RAINBOW
US, 1968, 145 minutes, Colour.
Fred Astaire, Petula Clark, Tommy Steele, Don Francks, Keenan Wynn, Al Freeman Jr, Barbara Hancock.
Directed by Francis Ford Coppola.
Finian's Rainbow was a popular Broadway musical of the late 40s. It had enjoyable numbers, especially Old Devil Moon. It seems strange that it was not filmed until the late 50s. At the time critics were quite severe on it and said it was a conventional, if sentimental, presentation of an old-fashioned musical.
Fred Astaire in his late 60s took the central role of the dreamer Finian searching for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. In his dances, his steps are quite easy (although Astaire was a graceful dancer in his old age). Petula Clark is certainly a bright and engaging heroine. She has not made many films as an adult although she was a juvenile star. The next year she made Goodbye Mr. Chips with Peter O'Toole. Tommy Steele was popular at the time with Half a Sixpence and The Happiest Millionaire. He is certainly a lively leprechaun,
However, in retrospect, one of the most interesting features of the film is that it was directed by Francis Ford Coppola. Coppola had been trained under Roger Corman's help and made Dementia 13 in 1963. He made You're a Big Boy Now in 1966 which achieved some fame. He then went on to make The Rain People in 1969 but, of course, rose to great success and fame with the two Godfather films. He also made the interesting film The Conversation with Gene Hackman (1974). His next film was the major war saga Apocalypse Now.
1. The appeal of a musical comedy, audience expectations of it? The overall success of this film?
2. The impact of the stars? The director and this film in the light of his later achievement?
3. The film's use of Panavision, colour, locations, the magic world and its atmosphere, Irish, American? Critics said that the film was out of date in its presentation of its world. Is this correct or were they trying to be too realistic?
4. The quality and appeal of the music, the songs and their situation, the lyrics, the choreography?
5. The importance of the fairytale atmosphere, the world of dreams, wishes, the blend of fantasy and reality? The universal appeal of people's wishes and dreams? The racial questions incorporated into this atmosphere? The success of the communication of the basic messages?
6. How attractive was Fred Astaire in the role of Finian? The Irishman, the dreamer, the dreams of wealth? The significance of his life of searching and wandering, his love for his daughter, his gradual involvement with the problems of the people in the valley? How engaging a character was Finian? Credible in the dreams that he had, his wandering off at the end in search still?
7. Petula Clark as Sharon? As Finian's daughter fitting into his kind of world, fitting into this particular corner of America, falling in love, concerned about people and racial questions, the danger of her being burnt as a witch? The importance of the songs she sang and her revelation of her character?
8. How attractive a character was Og? Tommy Steele's exuberant style? Audience belief and response to leprechauns? The humour of his following Finian his involvement in the search for the gold, his influence? His magic capacities, his destiny to become human, his use of wishes? The comedy contribution? The particular songs with their comic overtones that he sang? Romantic songs? His decision to help Silent Susan?
9. Comment on the picture of America presented, in terms of the South racism, work, scientific development greed, politics. How did the film poke fun at attitudes and bigotry? How did it make its point through humour?
10. The character of the judge, the caricature of the bigot, his racial attitudes, greed?
11. Woody as the conventional hero, Howard as the conventional negro (his comedy routine for the judge), Susan as the attractive second leading lady? How did the film build to a climax, the irony of the fire? The basic appeal of whimsical films and these as a vehicle for communicating values to audiences?
