| Major Cast | |
|---|---|
| Fred Astaire | as Finian McLonergan |
| Petula Clark | as Sharon McLonergan |
| Tommy Steele | as Og |
| Don Francks | as Woody Mahoney |
| Keenan Wynn | as Senator Billboard Rawkins |
| Barbara Hancock | as Susan the Silent |
| Al Freeman Jr. | as Howard |
| Ronald Colby | as Buzz Collins |
| Dolph Sweet | as Sheriff |
| Wright King | as District Attorney |
| Louil Silas | as Henry |
| MPAA Rating: | G |
| Production Companies: | Warner Brothers/Seven Arts |
| Distributors (USA): | * Warner Brothers/Seven Arts (theatrical) * NBC (TV) * Warner Home Video (DVD) * Pioneer Entertainment (video/laserdisc) * Warner Home Video (video) |
| Languages: | English | French |
| Release Date (US): | 10/09/1968 |
| Running Time: | 141 minutes |
| Domestic Box Office: | $11,600,000 (12/31/1980) |
| Foreign Box Office: | $? |
| Production Budget: | $3,500,000 (Est.) |
Finian McLonergan of Glocca Morra, Ireland, uproots himself and his adult daughter, Sharon McLonergan, and wanders the world searching for the mythical land where he can bury his crock of gold and see it magically multiply. (Finian has his own beliefs, ye ken...) Little does he know that the crock of gold he "borrowed" from the leprechauns of Glocca Morra has cost them the power to make wishes come true and as a result they are slowly turning mortal.
They finally arrive at Rainbow Valley, Missitucky, USA, which Finian declares is the proper spot. The sheriff arrives at the same time, to post a notice of eviction. The residents of Rainbow Valley are eagerly awaiting the return of Woody Mahoney — who, his sister Susan the Silent informs them via "foot talk," is bringing the money to repay his back taxes before the sheriff evicts him and sells off his land. They have all gone down the tracks to greet him.
Finding the town deserted, Finian and Sharon climb a tree to see what's going on. The townspeople return with Woody in tow, whereupon the sheriff reads the notice and Woody hands him the money. But there's an extra $77 in interest Woody wasn't told about, and he doesn't have it. Suddenly, dollars begin fluttering out of the tree. It's Finian and Sharon, saving the day. The town folk welcome them warmly and there's a lot of dancing.
Late that night, armed with a shovel, a jug of poteen, and his carpetbag holding the gold, Finian sets out to find the proper spot to bury the gold. He's just completed this task when Og the Leprechuan shows up with his tale of woe. Alas, it fails to soften Finian's heart. Woody, however, has no trouble capturing Sharon's heart that same night.
Woody, it seems, is equally enterprising in matters of commerce. His friend Howard has bred mint together with tobacco, and Woody plans to harvest the plants for pre-mentholated cigarettes. There's just one small problem: the dried leaves don't burn. More cash is needed, and Howard volunteers to get a job. He ends up working as a houseboy for the Senator — a most unsatisfactory post. The Senator is a confirmed bigot, as well as corrupt. Soon he orders the mixed-race community to leave Rainbow Valley.1 In a rage, Sharon erupts, "I wish to God you were black!" Wishes now have power in Rainbow Valley, it seems. In an instant, the Senator is a Darkie. His dog chases him down the road, and he disappears.
But of course he is missed. Soon the forces of the law are back, demanding the townsfolk produce him, or Sharon will be tried for witchcraft. She and Woody are imprisoned in a barn, with a literal deadline of the next dawn. Only Og can save them now; but he has just one wish left. If he uses it, he loses his gold and his immortality.
The wandering that Finian and Sharon do is portrayed under the opening credits. It struck me as overdone: he trudging past the Statue of Liberty and the Golden Gate Bridge, across frozen tundra and blazing desert, his daughter dutifully following. It more than makes the point that Finian is a bit daft.
That said, the musical proper is well done. Following the stage tradition, it includes an overture and an intermission. There is a lot of lively, joyful dancing. At 69, Fred Astaire is agile and vigorous as ever. Petula Clark and Don Francks give us good voice and good moves. But the very best dancer among them all is young Barbara Hancock.2 She dances well, and frequently. This was her first major film, as it was the last (and a symbolic exit) for Fred Astaire. And on a production note, she dances barefoot around meadows, over wooden bridges, through streams. All or most of this was on a nine-acre backlot; still, it must have taken quite a lot of vigilance to keep all those places free of something that might cut her feet.
True, the plot is extremely fanciful. But the cast redeems it with the vigor of their performances. I wouldn't rate it in the top rank of musicals, but it is thoroughly enjoyable.
The original Broadway production opened in 1947 and won Tonys for Best Performance by a Featured Actor, Best Choreography, and Best Conductor & Musical Director. There have been numerous revivals, most recently in 2016 by the Irish Repertory Theatre. Most of these received Tony and other nominations.
Because the stage production was so enduringly popular, there was great interest in a film version. However, several false starts ensued — partly because the musical was making so much money on the road. Wikipedia has the details.
My Rating:
8 out of 10
Capsule review: A wildly fanciful plot is redeemed by the skillful dancing of the entire cast and the joyful vigor of their performances. This is not in the top rank, but is a very enjoyable musical.
| IMDB Rating: 6.3 | Raters: 2,733 |
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