FINIAN’S RAINBOW [1968 / 2017] [Warner Archive Collection] [Blu-ray] [USA Release] Don’t Ever Stop Chasing Rainbows – This is the year you can catch one!
He wears a ratty old cardigan instead of tails, a battered felt hat in place of a topper – but one glimpse of those agile feet and you know he’s Fred Astaire. The great entertainer sang and danced his last musical lead in ‘FINIAN’S RAINBOW,’ director Francis Ford Coppola’s exuberant movie of the 1947 Broadway hit.
Fred Astaire plays an Irish rogue Finian McLonergan who plants a stolen crock of leprechaun gold in the soil near Fort Knox to reap what he thinks will be a rich harvest. In tow are his spirited daughter Sharon McLonergan [Petula Clark], a love-struck leprechaun Og [Tommy Steele] and a bigoted Southern Senator Billboard Rawkins [Keenan Wynn] transformed by misbegotten magic. The treasurable Burton Lane and E.Y. Harburg score includes “How Are Things in Glocca Morra?,” “Look to the Rainbow,” “If This Isn’t Love” and “Old Devil Moon.” Watching it, you’ll be in clover. Four-leaf all the way.
FILM FACT No.1: Awards and Nominations: 1969 Academy Awards®: Nominated: Best Sound for Warner Bros./Seven Arts [Recipient: Warner Bros.-Seven Arts Studio Sound Department]. Nominated: Best Music Score of a Musical Picture (Original or Adaptation) for Ray Heindorf. 1969 Golden Globes: Nominated: Best Motion Picture in a Comedy or Musical. Nominated: Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical for Petula Clark. Nominated: Best Actor for a Comedy or Musical for Fred Astaire. Nominated: Best Supporting Actress for Barbara Hancock. Nominated: Most Promising Female Newcomer for Barbara Hancock. 1969 Motion Picture Sound Editors, USA: Win: Golden Reel Award for Best Sound Editing for Dialogue. 1969 Writers Guild of America: Nominated: WGA Award (Screen) for Best Written American Musical for E.Y. Harburg and Fred Saidy. 1970 Laurel Awards: Nominated: Golden Laurel Award for Female New Face for Petula Clark [7th place].
FILM FACT No.2: Since the musical “Finian's Rainbow” was such a success on stage, there had always been interest in filming it. M-G-M was interested in filming it in 1948 as a vehicle for Mickey Rooney. However, E.Y. Harburg set the price for the rights at $1 million and wanted creative control. For a time, a German company wanted to make it. In 1954, the Distributors Corporation of America wanted to make it as an animated film. A soundtrack of the score was recorded by several stars, but the film was not completed. In 1958, the authors of the musical teamed with Sidney Buchman to produce the film independently but the film did not proceed. In 1960, the rights were held by Marvin Rothenberg who wanted Michael Gordon to direct and Debbie Reynolds to star. It was announced the film would be budgeted at $2 million and be released by United Artist. However the film did not eventuate. E.Y. Harburg stated in 1960 that he was told part of the reason it was so difficult to get a film version made was Hollywood was scared of fantasy musicals. Another reason was the McCarthyism of the period. In 1965, Harold Hecht bought the film rights and hired E.Y. Harburg and Fred Saidy to write a script and some new songs. Hecht said he intended to film in nine months. "This time we really mean business," said E.Y. Harburg. "We've gotten a substantial deal and participation in money and production. Up until now ‘FINIAN’S RAINBOW’ has been making so much money on the road that we didn't want to kill the goose laying all those golden eggs. But you become more idealistic as you grow older and you tend to stop thinking about yourself."
Cast: Fred Astaire, Petula Clark, Tommy Steele, Don Francks, Keenan Wynn, Barbara Hancock, Al Freeman Jr., Ronald Colby, Dolph Sweet, Wright King, Louil Silas, Brenda Arnau (uncredited), Charles Carter (uncredited), Robert Cleaves (uncredited), Robert Cole (uncredited), Willie Covan (uncredited), Evelyn Dutton (uncredited), Martin Eric (uncredited), Joe Evans (uncredited), Talya Ferro (uncredited), James Field (uncredited), Carey Foster (uncredited), Lili Francks (uncredited), Nicci-Ann Frank (uncredited), Roy Glenn (uncredited), Jester Hairston (uncredited), Louis Hart (uncredited), Marya Henriques (uncredited), Robert S. Holman (uncredited), Joyce Horne (uncredited), Vince Howard (uncredited), Bruce Hoy (uncredited), Bobby Johnson (uncredited), Carlton Johnson (uncredited), Phyllis Kennedy (uncredited), Avon Long (uncredited), Maurishka (uncredited), Bert May (uncredited), Gary Menteer (uncredited), Frances E. Nealy (uncredited), Roy Palmer (uncredited), Frank Radcliffe (uncredited), Leonard Rogel (uncredited), Roberta Tennes (uncredited), Claude Thompson (uncredited), Peter Virgo (uncredited), Rebecca Vorno (uncredited), Clessia Wade (uncredited) and Jonathan Wynne (uncredited)
Director: Francis Ford Coppola
Producers: Joel Freeman and Joseph Landon
Screenplay: E.Y. Harburg (book/screenplay) and Fred Saidy (book/screenplay)
Composer: Ray Heindorf (uncredited)
Costumes: Dorothy Jeakins
Choreography: Hermes Pan
Cinematography: Philip H. Lathrop, A.S.C. (Director of Photography)
Image Resolution: 1080p (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 (Panavision)
Audio: English: 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio
English: 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio
Subtitles: English SDH
Running Time: 144 minutes
Region: All Regions
Number of discs: 1
Studio: Warner Bros.-Seven Arts / Warner Archive Collection
Andrew’s Blu-ray Review: ‘FINIAN’S RAINBOW’ [1968] is a 1968 film version of the “Finian’s Rainbow” Broadway musical from the forties. The film was directed at the time a not-so-well-known director named Francis Fire Coppola. The film starred an aging but still charismatic Fred Astaire and the equally wonderful and talented Petula Clark.
The story of the film begins with Irishman Finian McLonergan [Fred Astaire] and his daughter Sharon McLonergan [Petula Clark] traveling across America. They have emigrated with a pot of gold from some leprechauns in Glocca Morra to be closer to Fort Knox. Finian McLonergan believes if he buries it near enough to Fort Knox the gold will multiply. Then he can return the gold. They end up in a town by the name of Rainbow Valley somewhere in “Missitucky,” (a fictitious blend of Mississippi and Kentucky) and a home of a mixture of black and white tobacco sharecroppers.
Rainbow Valley is having problems with a racist Senator Billboard Rawkins [Keenan Wynn] who is trying to call the loans on their debts to take their property. Luckily the town has a traveling guitarist that helps to pay down the debts named Woody Mahoney [Don Francks]. As Sharon McLon begins to have a relationship with Woody Mahoney, a leprechaun named Og [Tommy Steele] tries to reclaim his bucket of gold before Og becomes completely mortal. Because Finian McLonergan has the gold where the leprechauns can no longer grant wishes. Woody Mahoney plans on revitalizing the area with his botanist friend Howard [Al Freeman Jr.] by planting tobacco in the region.
As geologists reveal to the Senator Billboard Rawkins that gold is on the land he had tried to buy, Senator Billboard Rawkins begins to plot to steal the land from the sharecroppers. Senator Billboard Rawkins law would force the sharecroppers off the land for having blacks and whites sharing the same property. This is where the film gets really interesting: a wish is made by Sharon McLonergan that the Senator Billboard Rawkins would turn black so he could understand the damage his laws are doing. The wish comes true just in time for all the sharecroppers to begin looking for the gold.
‘FINIAN’S RAINBOW’ I found it to be an effectively entertaining musical. It is incredibly well-shot which should come as little surprise considering the pedigree of the director Francis Fire Coppola. The performances are enjoyable with solid turns by Fred Astaire, Petula Clarke, and Don Francks. Some reviewers at the time were pretty brutal in how an aged Fred Astaire looked, but it didn’t affect his overall performance in my eyes except for his movements are slower than it was at the peak of his career.
Certain reviewers pointed out how annoying they thought Tommy Steele was in the role of Og, but that is up to you judge if they are right? Like most musical fantasies, the story must be taken with an extreme grain of salt and some people will probably not be able to get into the rhythm of the film. Also critics found the story a little bit idiotic at times, but the film held my attention. I also liked how the film addressed racism, which must have been a brave move when it first appeared on Broadway in the 1940’s.
The music in the film by composer Ray Heindorf are consistently engaging and well performed. The film’s biggest downfall is that the film clocks in at almost two and a half hours which just seemed slightly too long, but of course this is because director Francis Fire Coppola was very new to directing this film and was very naïve in its process and all the pit falls along the way. Aside from that, this film is a good example of a big Hollywood musical with excellent production values. While not perfect, it is much more interesting than many that you could watch. I really enjoyed the last half of the film where it gets a bit bonkers and well over the top.
Because of the film's somewhat “ancient” screenplay which was almost identical to its 1947 Broadway counterpart, many historians argue that the film's handling of prominent social issues, most notably racism, is outdated and doesn't reflect the civil unrest that America was facing in 1968.
At the time of its original “Finian's Rainbow” Broadway run, it was lauded for its ground-breaking portrayal of the racial tension and bigotry that existed in America's southern states at the time. It was a very ground-breaking subject material that Warner Bros.-Seven Arts had optioned the rights to “Finian's Rainbow” almost 20 years before the film's eventual release from adapting the musical for the screen, despite its enormous success. Unfortunately, by the time Francis Ford Coppola got a hold of ‘FINIAN’S RAINBOW,’ it was no longer sadly a ground-breaking film.
‘FINIAN’S RAINBOW’ is at worst a frustrating experience, as you can see how a little more focus might have produced some entertainment value, and at best it serves mainly as a vehicle to show us that even in the late 1960’s, Fred Astaire still had that star attraction and this film was his last major feature film musical appearance, and without him and all the historical weight Fred Astaire brings with him to the role of Finian McLonergan, I’m not sure whether this film would still be relevant today. There are some catchy tunes and fine dancing to be found throughout the film, but for the most part it’s just another piece of evidence to prove that the Hollywood Renaissance boy’s club simply couldn’t put together decent musicals. Such is life.
BONUS: At the start of the film you get the original dramatic OVERTURE that gives you a sample of all the famous composed music for the film ‘FINIAN’S RAINBOW, and runs for 1 minute and 35 seconds. PLUS: We also get included half way through the film is the original Intermission / Ent’acte, and the original EXIT MUSIC, so making this film totally unique. So enjoy!
FINIAN’S RAINBOW MUSIC TRACK LIST
LOOK TO THE RAINBOW / HOW ARE THINGS IN GLOCCA MORRA? (1946) (uncredited) (Main Title) (Lyrics by E.Y. Harburg) (Music by Burton Lane) [Played during the opening credits] [Sung by Petula Clark ("Rainbow") and played by the Warner Bros. Orchestra ("Glocca Morra") conducted by Ray Heindorf]
THIS TIME OF THE YEAR (1946) (uncredited) (Lyrics by E.Y. Harburg) (Music by Burton Lane) [Sung by Al Freeman Jr. and chorus]
HOW ARE THINGS IN GLOCCA MORRA? (1946) (uncredited) (Lyrics by E.Y. Harburg) (Music by Burton Lane) [Sung by Petula Clark]
LOOK TO THE RAINBOW (1946) (uncredited) (Lyrics by E.Y. Harburg) (Music by Burton Lane) [Sung by Fred Astaire and Petula Clark] [Danced by Fred Astaire, Petula Clark, Barbara Hancock and Chorus]
OLD DEVIL MOON (1946) (uncredited) (Lyrics by E.Y. Harburg) (Music by Burton Lane) [Sung by Don Francks and Petula Clark]
SOMETHING SORT OF GRANDISH (1946) (uncredited) (Lyrics by E.Y. Harburg) (Music by Burton Lane) [Sung and Danced by Tommy Steele and Petula Clark]
IF THIS ISN’T LOVER (1946) (uncredited) (Lyrics by E.Y. Harburg) (Music by Burton Lane) [Sung by Don Francks, Petula Clark, Fred Astaire and chorus, and danced by Barbara Hancock]
THAT GREAT COME-AND-GET-IT DAY (1946) (uncredited) (Lyrics by E.Y. Harburg) (Music by Burton Lane) [Sung by Don Francks, Petula Clark and Chorus]
WHEN THE IDLE POOR BECOME THE IDLE RICH (1946) (uncredited) (Lyrics by E.Y. Harburg) (Music by Burton Lane) [Sung by Fred Astaire, Petula Clark and chorus] [Danced by Fred Astaire]
OLD DEVIL MOON (reprise) (1946) (uncredited) (Lyrics by E.Y. Harburg) (Music by Burton Lane) [Sung by Don Francks and Petula Clark]
RAIN DANCE BALLET (1946) (uncredited) (Music by Burton Lane) [Danced by Barbara Hancock]
THE BEGET (1946) (uncredited) (Lyrics by E.Y. Harburg) (Music by Burton Lane) [Sung by Keenan Wynn and Gospel Trio aka Avon Long, Jester Hairston and Roy Glenn]
LOOK TO THE RAINBOW (reprise) (1946) (uncredited) (Lyrics by E.Y. Harburg) (Music by Burton Lane) [Sung by chorus]
WHEN I AM NOT NEAR THE GIRL I LOVE (1946) (uncredited) (Lyrics by E.Y. Harburg) (Music by Burton Lane) [Sung by Tommy Steele] [Danced by Barbara Hancock]
LOOK TO THE RAINBOW (reprise) (1946) (uncredited) (Lyrics by E.Y. Harburg) (Music by Burton Lane) [Sung by Don Francks, Fred Astaire and Chorus]
HOW ARE THINGS IN GLOCCA MORRA? (Finale) (1946) (uncredited) (Lyrics by E.Y. Harburg) (Music by Burton Lane) [Sung by Petula Clark, Don Francks, Tommy Steele, Barbara Hancock, Keenan Wynn and chorus]
OH, DEM GOLDEN SLIPPERS (1879) (uncredited) (Written by James Allen Bland) [Sung a cappella by Keenan Wynn]
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Blu-ray Image Quality – Warner Archive Collection presents us the film ‘FINIAN’S RAINBOW’ with a wonderful "magically delicious" new 2K restoration 1080p image and sports a strong razor sharp image and of course enhanced with a 2.35:1 aspect ratio. Shot on 4-perf 35mm film with Panavision anamorphic lenses, ‘FINIAN’S RAINBOW’ was released on both standard 35mm and deluxe 70mm film prints during its theatrical release in 1968. At times the image looks almost three-dimensional and consistently pops with vibrant hues and lush saturation. With the red colour of Fred Astaire’s long-johns instantly grabs your attention. Also with image clarity, makes some of the soundstage filmed sequences tend to appear artificial, but that's okay, as it does features a leprechaun as the main character. Much of the action transpires outdoors, and those scenes benefit from excellent contrast and an expansive feel that almost make us forget they were filmed on the Warner Bros. back lot. Black levels are rich and deep, with excellent shadow definition but do hint some grain and preserves the film-like image presentation. Flesh tones remain stable and natural throughout the film, to give this film a wonderful presentation. Fans of the film will be thrilled by another meticulous Warner Archive Collection image transfer, and it's impossible to imagine ‘FINIAN’S RAINBOW’ looking more fresh and lively, like it was filmed today. Fans will be extremely pleased. This is another great example of the solid job that Warner Bros. are doing with this archival release.
Blu-ray Audio Quality – Warner Archive Collection brings us the film with a one standard 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio experience and sounds bright and crisp, and ambient effects play nicely across the front speakers. Subtle sounds like chirping birds, clucking chickens, and footsteps are marvellously distinct, and strong bass frequencies add wonderful resonance to the audio mix. Dialogue and song lyrics are very clear and you hear all the word spoken by the actors, and you get excellent Hi fidelity enhances with the musical numbers. For orchestral enthusiasts, Warner Archive Collection also includes the film's original overture, entr'acte, and exit music, which allows us to further appreciate the lilting beauty of Burton Lane's composed film score. A wide audio dynamics handles all the highs and lows without a hint of any kind of distortion, and any age-related hiss, pops, or crackles intrude. Musicals demand top-notch audio, and this vital track hits all the necessary marks. Originally presented in theaters with a deluxe 6-track magnetic stereo soundtrack presentation on 70mm blow up prints. So well done Warner Archive Collection bringing this audio experience up to date.
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Blu-ray Special Features and Extras:
Special Feature: Watch FINIAN’S RAINBOW’ with Francis Ford Coppola: DVD Introduction [2004] [1080p] [1.78:1 / 1.37:1] [4:05] It is always a real treat to hear the personal comments by director Francis Ford Coppola with his personal journey in making the film ‘FINIAN’S RAINBOW.’ This interesting and informative just over five minute’s featurette, in which we see Francis Ford Coppola sings the verse of "Look to the Rainbow" on camera before introducing the film and informs us that it was his first major film he directed and this short was filmed in his home in Napa Valley in California in October 2004, where he informs us that he studied at the UCL in California and then went onto direct a small film entitled ‘You're a Big Boy Now’ and was 1966 American comedy film written and directed by Francis Ford Coppola. Based on David Benedictus' 1963 novel of the same name, it stars Elizabeth Hartman, Peter Kastner, Geraldine Page, Rip Torn, Karen Black, and Julie Harris, which was part of his thesis. We also get to view rare photos and behind-the-scenes snippets on the set of ‘FINIAN’S RAINBOW’ in May 1967 with director and the cast from the film, plus we get a clip from a rough cut of Petula Clark singing one of the songs from the film. Francis Ford Coppola was very impressed with Fred Astaire and his work ethic in getting everything right and practising for long hours. Francis Ford Coppola says that he had very fond memories on working on the film ‘FINIAN’S RAINBOW,’ especially with all of the wonderful cast and crew. We also get to view a wonderful telegram from Jack Warner to Francis Ford Coppola that says: We had the big preview of ‘FINIAN’S RAINBOW’ today and the picture went over fantastically. I could see the wonderful touch and the warmth you personally put into the film. This is just the beginning of a very important future that will rank among the tops. Hope to see you real soon and every good wish = Jack Warner. From here on the Audio Commentary kicks in as follows . . .
Audio Commentary by Director Francis Ford Coppola: At that point we are at the start of the OVERTURE and Francis Ford Coppola says that he is happy you are staying with him to watch the film with him, where he starts his in-depth audio commentary. Here Francis Ford Coppola tries to remember some of the events and happy days he spent on the film. Francis Ford Coppola talks and explains the reason why they put the OVERTURE at the start of the film, which happened in the 1960’s with major films, especially musicals, and these films were basically Road Show films, and on top of all that, they would produce special souvenir brochures of that film for you to purchase and to give the audience a special experience and sometimes they would be blown up to a 70mm print and had a six track audio experience. At the start of the film, you hear Petula Clark singing the song “Look To The Rainbow” and is a big favourite of Francis Ford Coppola, also on top of all that, Francis Ford Coppola wanted to do the whole film on location, but the executives gave a great big no, instead Francis Ford Coppola had to shoot the whole film on the old ‘Camelot’ film backlot. Francis Ford Coppola then goes on to say that he got his way by filming the opening shots of around the world he wanted at the start of the film, by asking a good friend Carroll Ballard [American film director] who has directed six feature films, including ‘The Black Stallion,’ ‘Never Cry Wolf’ and ‘Fly Away Home’ and says the shots are one of the most favourite scenes in the film. When you see some of the aerial shots, this was achieved by strapping the camera to the wing of a crop duster plane, and because the pilot could not see what he was filming, it was all done by trial and error, because the majority of the shots were all out of focus, but luckily some shots were able to be used, but aerial shots of Fred Astaire and Petula Clark did not survive. Francis Ford Coppola had not read the original story of “Finian’s Rainbow” before he started filming, but eventually found the whole scenario very clunky and very left wing and could not figure out how to make a decent film, especially as the plot of the story had very racial overtones and unfortunately some of the racial overtones crept into the film, but of course if it was filmed today that aspect of the film would be totally radically different. The actor who plays the character Woody Mahoney [Don Francks] was based on Woody Guthrie who of course was an American singer-songwriter, who is considered to be one of the most significant figures in American folk music and Francis Ford Coppola wanted the character Woody Mahoney to be the hero of the film and fight against the establishment, and save the day, but at the time Francis Ford Coppola of directing the film, he felt Don Francks was a pain in the neck and felt he had a chip on his shoulder, who originally was from Canada, but looking back Francis Ford Coppola had got it all wrong with Don Francks as the actor was just trying to inform Francis Ford Coppola how he wanted to portray his character. Francis Ford Coppola goes into great detail how he came to direct the film ‘FINIAN’S RAINBOW’ that came about when he filmed a small budget film ‘You’re A Big Boy Now’ that set him on the road to directing much bigger budget films, but at the time he directed the big budget film ‘FINIAN’S RAINBOW’ he was very naïve in his outlook, as he was the new boy in town. On top of all that Francis Ford Coppola was very keen to direct ‘FINIAN’S RAINBOW’ so he could impress his father Carmine Valentino Coppola, who by the way was an American composer, flautist, pianist, and songwriter who contributed original music to ‘The Godfather,’ ‘The Godfather Part II,’ ‘Apocalypse Now,’ ‘The Outsiders’ and ‘The Godfather Part III.’ One good aspect of directing ‘FINIAN’S RAINBOW’ was the fact he was so proud to have Fred Astaire in his film and especially at the age Fred Astaire was at the time, which as you would see was still a great dancer. Francis Ford Coppola wanted to honour the Broadway show “Finian’s Rainbow” and about 90% of the dialogue and some of the scenes that were in the show. Another person Francis Ford Coppola was proud to have in his film was Petual Clark, who at the time was at the height of her career, especially having lots of her hit songs in the Top 20 Hit Parade and especially around the world, and of course one of her greatest hits was the song “Downtown” and on top of all that, Francis Ford Coppola found Petula Clark to be a totally charming and delightful person. Francis Ford Coppola was asked to edit the film ‘FINIAN’S RAINBOW,’ but was more interested to do other projects like directing other films, so he handed the whole project over to Joe Landon and also sorted out the soundtrack and when Francis Ford Coppola saw the finished film, he now wished he had got involved with the editing of the film, as he would cut the running time of the film down. In the film there is a sub plot with the actor Al Freeman Jr., who was trying to perfect menthol cigarette tobacco which was thought up by Francis Ford Coppola, as he wanted more involvement with the Broadway actor Al Freeman Jr., who he thought was a brilliant actor and wanted that that actor to be part of the civil rights aspect of the film, which was starting to happen in America while filming ‘FINIAN’S RAINBOW,’ and the actor Al Freeman Jr. was not featured in the Broadway show, and that is why Francis Ford Coppola really wanted to open up and expand the film. But the main reason Francis Ford Coppola wanted to make ‘FINIAN’S RAINBOW’ was because of the wonderful songs, but after he started to direct the film, he wished he had read the novel, because if he had read it properly, he would of turned down the offer to direct the film. Francis Ford Coppola wanted to break up the rhythm of the film with lots of variety of different types of scenes, and also wanted lots of dance numbers and in the end about half way through the film he sacked the choreographer Hermes Pan and he thought Fred Astaire would get upset, and decided to bring in someone totally different to do the choreography to do the dance routines and that person was Claude Thompson, as he had a much more modern outlook in his dance routines. As we get to the ENTR’ACTE, I found Francis Ford Coppola now started to get very boring with his audio commentary as he tended to just annoyingly ramble on and repeat a lot of what he had already said and did not know when to shut up and let us just watch the film. One interesting fact that Francis Ford Coppola informs us is that one day a young man with a beard turns up on the set and was just standing around observing all what was going on, and so Francis Ford Coppola eventually got up the courage and walk over to have a chat with him, and eventually found out that he had won a competition to observe a film being made and when Francis Ford Coppola asked his name, he informed him that he was George Lucas and was studying at the University of Southern California and is a private research university in Los Angeles, California and was founded in 1880 by Robert M. Widney, and again forms Francis Ford Coppola that he too was keen to be a director and eventually started to help Francis Ford Coppola by suggesting where to put the camera for certain scenes and other well informed nuggets of information to help Francis Ford Coppola progress with his film. Ando so finally we finally come to the end of this over long drawn out audio commentary by Francis Ford Coppola and by the end I was so glad it had finally finished, as Francis Ford Coppola can really waffle on and at times talk about nothing of interest and never knows when to stop, but there were some parts of the audio commentary that had some interesting facts about the film, but someone should have a word in his ear and tell him not to ramble on so much, as he thinks lots of waffle is of great interest, well it is not, because less is more and should have a few gaps of silence to just let us enjoy the film, as to my mind Francis Ford Coppola has verbal diarrhoea, meaning the quality or habit of talking too much, and in the end I felt totally exhausted by the experience and I personally feel Francis Ford Coppola should never be allowed to do another audio commentary. So this is a warning to anyone thinks they might want to listen to this audio commentary, well I say listen at your peril.
Special Feature: Vintage TV Special: The World Premiere of ‘FINIAN’S RAINBOW’ [1968] [1080i / 480i] [1.37:1] [25:37] This Vintage TV Special, was shown prior to the film's inaugural showing at the Penthouse Theatre in New York City. This vintage television programme mixes film clips and some brief behind-the-scenes footage with "red-carpet" interviews with the musical's stars. Fred Astaire, Tommy Steele, Don Francks, Al Freeman, Jr., and Barbara Hancock all chat with host Lee Phillip, while Petula Clark could not attend the premiere in New York and appears on tape from Geneva, Switzerland. The event exudes a modicum of glamour, but despite striving to create an impression to the contrary, it cannot compete with the glamorous gala Hollywood premieres of the past. Still, it's fun to get up-close-and-personal with the performers and especially Fred Astaire, and we also get to see director Francis Ford Coppola amiably answering questions about directing the film ‘FINIAN’S RAINBOW,’ and his personal directorial style, and how he became interested in the medium. Contributors include: Lee Phillip Bell [Host], Fred Astaire, Petula Clark, Francis Ford Coppola [Director], Phil Ford, Don Francks, Al Freeman Jr., Barbara Hancock, Mimi Hines, Eliot Hyman, Ella Logan, Tommy Steele [Og], N. Paul Stookey, Ed Sullivan and Julie Wilson. The Hostess was Lee Philip of WBBM-TV, Chicago.
Theatrical Trailer [1958] [1080p] [2.35:1] [2:58] This is the Original Theatrical Trailer for the film ‘FINIAN’S RAINBOW.’ The voice over inform us "Look to the rainbow! Look to Fred Astaire! Look to Petula Clark!"
Finally, ‘FINIAN’S RAINBOW’ is a sentimental musical that feels, at times, like a farewell to Hollywood's Golden Age. The film has a few setbacks with a couple annoying characters and to some critics a long running time, but the good far outweighs the bad. I especially enjoyed the last half where the film gets a little bonkers. The transfer of the video and audio has been given great care by Warner Bros. While to some they feel it is riddled with faults, flaws and inconsistencies, I couldn't help but enjoy what really is the last Old Hollywood musical. In 1968, the film industry was changing and director Francis Ford Coppola represented the new wave of cinema that would, ultimately, replace the dilapidated studio system. If you are a fan of ‘FINIAN’S RAINBOW’ then I would not hesitate to pick this one up. If you are undecided, I would recommend a rental prior to a purchase just to see if it is a film you are going to want to view with repeat performances.
Andrew C. Miller – Your Ultimate No.1 Film Aficionado
Le Cinema Paradiso
United Kingdom
