Finian's Rainbow (1968)
Before you start throwing things at me, here me out. Finian’s Rainbow is an enjoyable musical and can still be appreciated today. If just a couple of changes were made, a revival could be produced on Broadway to rave reviews. If the “Begat” song were cut and the tobacco leaves were changed to a different type of smoking leaf, everything would be fine. Another option is to change the senator’s prejudice to sexism, and the magical wish turns him into a woman. Given today’s social climate, the new Finian’s Rainbow would be the biggest hit of the year!
Now, let me explain myself. It could be looked at as a racist musical, but it really isn’t. The villain of the story is a bigot, so when he says offensive things, it’s supposed to be received terribly – the audience is not supposed to identify with him. One of the secondary leads is an intelligent black scientist. When he’s given instructions of how to slowly shuffle and serve Senator Keenan Wynn a mint julep, it’s supposed to be offensive and appallingly behind the times. (Just imagine if the racism were replaced with sexism, and the female scientist is told how to swivel her hips and seductively serve a julep. Instead of being called “boy”, she’s called “honey” and continually disrespected until the senator learns how the other half lives.)
Now that you’re prepared and pre-emptively calmed down, you can rent Finian’s Rainbow on St. Patrick’s Day and enjoy a delightful musical. It has sweet, catchy songs like “Look to the Rainbow”, “I Love the Girl I’m Near”, and “Come and Get It Day”. Petula Clark, a staple of 1960s music, made one of her few screen appearances as an Irish spitfire who makes a big impression in the small southern town she and her father visit. The incomparable Fred Astaire plays the titular Finian, and though he has a few miles on him, he can still dance and keep his high energy up during big chorus numbers. Tommy Steele is as cute as it gets, and perfectly cast as the leprechaun. No one could have been better, and every line, lyric, and facial expression with have you laughing and charmed more than you thought possible. He’s endlessly energetic, making you wonder why Petula doesn’t prefer his company to the lackluster Don Francks.
But back to Fred. As a little girl, I’d only seen Fred Astaire in Finian’s Rainbow and as the voice of the postman in Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town. So you can imagine my surprise when I finally saw Swing Time and discovered he was not a cartoon, but also that he wasn’t Irish! He’s so sweet as the stubborn, prideful, and superstitious Irishman. He’s always in search of a rainbow, and has traveled the globe with his daughter trying to find it. After stealing a leprechaun’s crock of gold, all the magic of Ireland has disappeared. Tommy Steele follows the crock (and Fred) to the small town, but who will get to use the magical powers first?
Rent this charming, fun, and wildly funny musical to find out. It’s one of the best movies to watch on St. Patrick’s Day, hands down.
Want to watch it? Click here to see it on ok.ru and thanks "Merrigan Able" for posting!
More Fred Astaire movies here!
Now, let me explain myself. It could be looked at as a racist musical, but it really isn’t. The villain of the story is a bigot, so when he says offensive things, it’s supposed to be received terribly – the audience is not supposed to identify with him. One of the secondary leads is an intelligent black scientist. When he’s given instructions of how to slowly shuffle and serve Senator Keenan Wynn a mint julep, it’s supposed to be offensive and appallingly behind the times. (Just imagine if the racism were replaced with sexism, and the female scientist is told how to swivel her hips and seductively serve a julep. Instead of being called “boy”, she’s called “honey” and continually disrespected until the senator learns how the other half lives.)
Now that you’re prepared and pre-emptively calmed down, you can rent Finian’s Rainbow on St. Patrick’s Day and enjoy a delightful musical. It has sweet, catchy songs like “Look to the Rainbow”, “I Love the Girl I’m Near”, and “Come and Get It Day”. Petula Clark, a staple of 1960s music, made one of her few screen appearances as an Irish spitfire who makes a big impression in the small southern town she and her father visit. The incomparable Fred Astaire plays the titular Finian, and though he has a few miles on him, he can still dance and keep his high energy up during big chorus numbers. Tommy Steele is as cute as it gets, and perfectly cast as the leprechaun. No one could have been better, and every line, lyric, and facial expression with have you laughing and charmed more than you thought possible. He’s endlessly energetic, making you wonder why Petula doesn’t prefer his company to the lackluster Don Francks.
But back to Fred. As a little girl, I’d only seen Fred Astaire in Finian’s Rainbow and as the voice of the postman in Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town. So you can imagine my surprise when I finally saw Swing Time and discovered he was not a cartoon, but also that he wasn’t Irish! He’s so sweet as the stubborn, prideful, and superstitious Irishman. He’s always in search of a rainbow, and has traveled the globe with his daughter trying to find it. After stealing a leprechaun’s crock of gold, all the magic of Ireland has disappeared. Tommy Steele follows the crock (and Fred) to the small town, but who will get to use the magical powers first?
Rent this charming, fun, and wildly funny musical to find out. It’s one of the best movies to watch on St. Patrick’s Day, hands down.
Want to watch it? Click here to see it on ok.ru and thanks "Merrigan Able" for posting!
More Fred Astaire movies here!