Astaire did not convey a frail and aged appearance in Finian's Rainbow. On the contrary, he conveyed his usual grace and charm with the strength and energy of a man twenty years younger (he was 68 when Finian's Rainbow was shot).
When the rich rob the poor it's called theft and it should be punished... When you call voluntary employment by rich person a robbery, you're clearly wrong, Mr. Twain 😅
I love the line about “No one will see the Irish or the Slav in you.” I’m half Irish, half Czech and both sets of grandparents and great grandparents and beyond experienced a lot of discrimination back in the day. My dad was told in the 60s that he should change his name from Flaherty to Ferguson if he wanted to get ahead. He was like “hell no, I’m proud of my Irish heritage.” All that being said, the discrimination that European ethnicities went through doesn’t even compare to what people of color have had and still experience to this day.
At this stage, Astaire was still dancing proficiently as evidenced by the you tube segments of Astaire dancing at the Oscars in 1970; he was simply photographed in an unflattering manner in Finian's Rainbow. I still think that if Cukor had cast Astaire as Alfred P. Doolittle, Eliza's father in "My Fair Lady" he would have been sensational in the musical numbers-With A Little Bit Of Luck and Get Me To The Church On Time. It is now commonly known that Cukor initially approached James Cagney to play the role after Cagney went into retirement.
Agreed. Renata Adler, the NEW YORK TIMES reviewer who cruelly lamented Astiare's aged apppearance as "Finian" was unreasonable. O.K., so Astaire was 68 here. If you look at his face, sure -- he looks his age. But what the hell is wrong with that? His body is lean and graceful, and he still can do some very demanding footwork (like the hazardous jazz dance at the end of "Idle Poor"). Show me another 68-year-old who can top him.
I agree! I can't believe that NY Time reviewer was so cruel in her review about him in this film. You can actually find it on the NY Times' website. #1 He was 68...of course, he's not going to look young. What was she expecting? He's actually one of the few actors who didn't change much over the years. #2 For his age, he was still a very agile dancer when this film was made. Of course, he's not going to dance like a 30 year old. He's not 30 years old in this film. The dance number during "The Idle Poor" when he's dancing on the boxes, etc., is the highlight of the movie. Yes, he was moving a little slower, but he was still a delight to watch. He was a true entertainer!!!
@@Sunflower8587 Reminds me of the time a critic complained that Andres Segovia -- well into his 70s at the time -- "didn't have it anymore" ... believe me, he could still play circles around other guitar masters ... but I digress ... I heard that Fred (I called him "Fred") free-styled that portion starting at 2:43, because they were running low on budget, so he simply said, "roll the cameras and give it to me". Does anyone know if that's true?
@@curtmanners01 I'm not sure. I'd have to look into whether that was true or not about Fred Astaire making up the dance number on the boxes on the fly and the budget. He was such a perfectionist, though; so I'm leaning towards doubting it. However, anything is possible. I do remember hearing that he wasn't happy they shot the scene so we can't see his feet, though. I can see his point there. He's a dancer and we can't see his feet?
@@Sunflower8587 I hadn't thought of that ... you're right about the feet. And maybe that lends credence to the idea that Fred choreographed that part of the sequence pretty much on the spot. If the cameras were simply instructed to "follow him", the operators may not have thought about the importance of keeping his feet in the shot.
As an admirer and fan of Astaire, I believe that Finian's Rainbow wasn't the box office success that was hoped for because Francis Coppola wasn't a proficient musical director; he respected Astaire but wasn't prepared to listen to his advise and that of choreographer Hermes Pan, and Astaire was still dancing well, but he conveyed a frail and aged appearance; same issue with the last Astaire/Barrie Chase television special in 1968.
Just good basic entertainment and a movie with a social message. Compare this artistic performance to the flashy, empty-headed stuff that is called entertainment today. Thanks for posting.
When the idle poor become the idle rich, You'll never know just who is who or who is which. Won't it be rich when everyone's poor relative becomes a Rockefellertive, And palms no longer itch? What a switch! When we all have ermine and plastic teeth, How will we determine who's who underneath? And when all your neighbors are upper class, You won't know your Joneses from your-Astors. Let's toast the day, The day we drink that drinkie up, But with the little pinkie up, The day on which the idle poor become the idle rich. When a rich man doesn't want to work, He's a bon vivant, yes, he's a bon vivant, But when a poor man doesn't want to work, He's a loafer, he's a lounger, he's a lazy good for nothing, he's a jerk. When a rich man loses on a horse, isn't he the sport? Oh, isn't he the sport? But when a poor man loses on a horse, He's a gambler, he's a spender, he's a low-life, He's a reason for divorce. When a rich man chases after dames, He's a man about town, oh yes, a man about town, But when a poor man chases after dames, He's a bounder, he's a rounder, he's a rotter and a lotta dirty names. When the idle poor become the idle rich, You'll never know just who is who or who is which, No one will see the Irish or the Slav in you, For when you're on Park Avenue, Cornelius and Mike look alike. When poor Tweedledum is rich Tweedledee, This discrimination will no longer be. When we're in the dough and off of the nut, You won't know your banker from your-butler. Let's make the switch, with just a few annuities, We'll hide those incongruities in clothes from Abercrombie Fitch, When the idle poor become the idle rich, When the idle poor become the idle rich.
It makes one wonder whether Finian's Rainbow would have been a greater artistic and commercial success if Vincente Minnelli, who directed Astaire in The Band Wagon, or Stanley Donen, who helmed Funny Face, had directed the project.
Not to mention that camera in Finian's rainbow is not suited for musicals (it however doesnt mean I absolutely need ultimate-long-shots like in most Astaire's previous movies). The camera is probably the worst part about Finians rainbow. There are even parts when dancing people are not shown with legs.
The movie is a fantasy about an Irishman and his daughter who steal a leprechaun's magic pot of gold and emigrate to the United States, where they become involved in a dispute between rural landowners and a greedy, racist U.S. Senator. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finian%27s_Rainbow_(film)
Cheerful socialist polemic. Why Yip Harburg was blacklisted. Didn't bother old school Republican Fred Astaire to perform this though. Great swan song to a great career.
So great to see this. My pop was the musical director and it brings back so many great memories. Thanks!
One of my favourite films of all times thanks for sharing
Astaire did not convey a frail and aged appearance in Finian's Rainbow. On the contrary, he conveyed his usual grace and charm with the strength and energy of a man twenty years younger (he was 68 when Finian's Rainbow was shot).
If you can’t say anything nice don’t say anything at all,,,,,got it??
"When the rich rob the poor it's called business. When the poor fight back it's called violence." Mark Twain
When the rich rob the poor it's called theft and it should be punished... When you call voluntary employment by rich person a robbery, you're clearly wrong, Mr. Twain 😅
@@Nejedlej07 there’s a slavery of wages according to Frederick Douglass
My dad was the barber you see from 1:06 - 1:19!
I love the line about “No one will see the Irish or the Slav in you.” I’m half Irish, half Czech and both sets of grandparents and great grandparents and beyond experienced a lot of discrimination back in the day. My dad was told in the 60s that he should change his name from Flaherty to Ferguson if he wanted to get ahead. He was like “hell no, I’m proud of my Irish heritage.”
All that being said, the discrimination that European ethnicities went through doesn’t even compare to what people of color have had and still experience to this day.
I used to have fun impersonating this scene back when I was 40.helped break the monotony of the job.
one of my favorite movies growing up!
My favorite song from this movie! The last dance Fred did on screen.
Fred Astaire -- a better dancer in his 60s than most men in their 20s.
At this stage, Astaire was still dancing proficiently as evidenced by the you tube segments of Astaire dancing at the Oscars in 1970; he was simply photographed in an unflattering manner in Finian's Rainbow. I still think that if Cukor had cast Astaire as Alfred P. Doolittle, Eliza's father in "My Fair Lady" he would have been sensational in the musical numbers-With A Little Bit Of Luck and Get Me To The Church On Time. It is now commonly known that Cukor initially approached James Cagney to play the role after Cagney went into retirement.
One of my favorite movies! I watched it everyday when I was a kid at my grandmother's house!
His last musical lead. I still have this on VHS.
Loved this film.
this hilarious film helped me get through some serious dental work back in 2005.
Loved this Movie when I first saw it:)
I always thought '(and still do) that this is a good song.
Nordhoff High School did this musical in Ojai California in 1967-68 huge success
If I remeber correctly, this was the last movie Mr. Astair ever made. One of my favorites. . Thanks!!
He didn't dance in Ghost Story, but his acting was great.
@kevinbland yes, petula was his last dancing partner.
Agreed. Renata Adler, the NEW YORK TIMES reviewer who cruelly lamented Astiare's aged apppearance as "Finian" was unreasonable. O.K., so Astaire was 68 here. If you look at his face, sure -- he looks his age. But what the hell is wrong with that? His body is lean and graceful, and he still can do some very demanding footwork (like the hazardous jazz dance at the end of "Idle Poor"). Show me another 68-year-old who can top him.
I agree! I can't believe that NY Time reviewer was so cruel in her review about him in this film. You can actually find it on the NY Times' website. #1 He was 68...of course, he's not going to look young. What was she expecting?
He's actually one of the few actors who didn't change much over the years. #2 For his age, he was still a very agile dancer when this film was made. Of course, he's not going to dance like a 30 year old. He's not 30 years old in this film. The dance number during "The Idle Poor" when he's dancing on the boxes, etc., is the highlight of the movie. Yes, he was moving a little slower, but he was still a delight to watch. He was a true entertainer!!!
@@Sunflower8587 Reminds me of the time a critic complained that Andres Segovia -- well into his 70s at the time -- "didn't have it anymore" ... believe me, he could still play circles around other guitar masters ... but I digress ... I heard that Fred (I called him "Fred") free-styled that portion starting at 2:43, because they were running low on budget, so he simply said, "roll the cameras and give it to me". Does anyone know if that's true?
@@curtmanners01 I'm not sure. I'd have to look into whether that was true or not about Fred Astaire making up the dance number on the boxes on the fly and the budget. He was such a perfectionist, though; so I'm leaning towards doubting it. However, anything is possible. I do remember hearing that he wasn't happy they shot the scene so we can't see his feet, though. I can see his point there. He's a dancer and we can't see his feet?
@@Sunflower8587 I hadn't thought of that ... you're right about the feet. And maybe that lends credence to the idea that Fred choreographed that part of the sequence pretty much on the spot. If the cameras were simply instructed to "follow him", the operators may not have thought about the importance of keeping his feet in the shot.
As an admirer and fan of Astaire, I believe that Finian's Rainbow wasn't the box office success that was hoped for because Francis Coppola wasn't a proficient musical director; he respected Astaire but wasn't prepared to listen to his advise and that of choreographer Hermes Pan, and Astaire was still dancing well, but he conveyed a frail and aged appearance; same issue with the last Astaire/Barrie Chase television special in 1968.
Just good basic entertainment and a movie with a social message. Compare this artistic performance to the flashy, empty-headed stuff that is called entertainment today. Thanks for posting.
He still was hsndsome at 70 he was born may 10 1899
Absolutely genius.
omg great ending singing cannon!
When the idle poor become the idle rich,
You'll never know just who is who or who is which.
Won't it be rich when everyone's poor relative becomes a Rockefellertive,
And palms no longer itch? What a switch!
When we all have ermine and plastic teeth,
How will we determine who's who underneath?
And when all your neighbors are upper class,
You won't know your Joneses from your-Astors.
Let's toast the day,
The day we drink that drinkie up,
But with the little pinkie up,
The day on which the idle poor become the idle rich.
When a rich man doesn't want to work,
He's a bon vivant, yes, he's a bon vivant,
But when a poor man doesn't want to work,
He's a loafer, he's a lounger, he's a lazy good for nothing, he's a jerk.
When a rich man loses on a horse, isn't he the sport?
Oh, isn't he the sport?
But when a poor man loses on a horse,
He's a gambler, he's a spender, he's a low-life,
He's a reason for divorce.
When a rich man chases after dames,
He's a man about town, oh yes, a man about town,
But when a poor man chases after dames,
He's a bounder, he's a rounder, he's a rotter and a lotta dirty names.
When the idle poor become the idle rich,
You'll never know just who is who or who is which,
No one will see the Irish or the Slav in you,
For when you're on Park Avenue, Cornelius and Mike look alike.
When poor Tweedledum is rich Tweedledee,
This discrimination will no longer be.
When we're in the dough and off of the nut,
You won't know your banker from your-butler.
Let's make the switch, with just a few annuities,
We'll hide those incongruities in clothes from Abercrombie Fitch,
When the idle poor become the idle rich,
When the idle poor become the idle rich.
Impressive dance routine, when you consider that Fred was 68 or 69 when he filmed this movie!
It makes one wonder whether Finian's Rainbow would have been a greater artistic and commercial success if Vincente Minnelli, who directed Astaire in The Band Wagon, or Stanley Donen, who helmed Funny Face, had directed the project.
In the stage play Sharon McLonergan sang this. But I suppose for what they paid Astaire, they had to use him more.
It wasn't his last movie, but it was the last time he danced on screen.
Not to mention that camera in Finian's rainbow is not suited for musicals (it however doesnt mean I absolutely need ultimate-long-shots like in most Astaire's previous movies). The camera is probably the worst part about Finians rainbow. There are even parts when dancing people are not shown with legs.
Pure style
Have you posted "Something Sort of Grandish"? That is my absolute favorite.
I posted just the reprise with Tommy Steele...
Last time we see Astaire in a full musical!
3:59 was the best !
Why oh why is every youtube video out of sync anymore? So frustrating.
This was before Towering Inferno, so no...
He sings with a Irish accent?
The movie is a fantasy about an Irishman and his daughter who steal a leprechaun's magic pot of gold and emigrate to the United States, where they become involved in a dispute between rural landowners and a greedy, racist U.S. Senator. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finian%27s_Rainbow_(film)
I HAVEN SEEN THE MVIE SENCE I WAS LIKE 5
Ik me too
Did taylor swif produce this?
RIP E.Y. 'Yip' Harburg - I wish you were around today to rip Donald Trump to shreds with your songs.
Cheerful socialist polemic. Why Yip Harburg was blacklisted. Didn't bother old school Republican Fred Astaire to perform this though. Great swan song to a great career.
"Idol Poor"??? Learn to spell, for God's sake.