For me, the film of Finian's Rainbow is proof that even when all the elements of a film are near perfect--a great score, a funny script, wonderful scenery and Fred Astaire, for God's sake--it can all come together...and just lay there like a lump of lead. The film is very faithful to the play, too, so I really don't understand how this happened. If you've ever seen the play, you know that this show moves like a house on fire. The movie for me took soooo long to get anywhere. The only explanation I can think of is the director. Yes, the great Francis Ford Coppola--and I'm not being saracastic, I really do admire him immensely--but with Rainbow, I think he really blew it. A musical has to have a far different pacing than any other film genre.
Now, having said that, I also should say that I thought it was wonderful that Coppola cut NO musical numbers and I loved Astaire and Petula Clark. Tommy Steele, who is a bundle of talent, was way over the top here, though. The key to playing Og is to NOT play it cute. His charm and wit can only come out if the actor is playing the role straight, with utmost sincerity.
Here's an interesting big of trivia. Don Francks, who plays Woody in the film, named his son Rainbow Francks. Hmmm....
Rainbow is also an actor and has done tons of work.
Now, having said that, I also should say that I thought it was wonderful that Coppola cut NO musical numbers and I loved Astaire and Petula Clark. Tommy Steele, who is a bundle of talent, was way over the top here, though. The key to playing Og is to NOT play it cute. His charm and wit can only come out if the actor is playing the role straight, with utmost sincerity.
Here's an interesting big of trivia. Don Francks, who plays Woody in the film, named his son Rainbow Francks. Hmmm....
Rainbow is also an actor and has done tons of work.
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