| From listening to cast albums in the 1960s, I rather wish they had hired Robert Horton for Woody in "Finian's Rainbow". He was a big tv name from "Wagon Train", and he had a helluva voice on the "110 in the Shade" recording. I'm actually surprised he wasn't brought back to Broadway more often (or ever again!) after that, though apparently he did lots of musicals in summer stock. Don Francks was perfectly fine in the film, but not dynamic, I guess. I love the score for that show, and the film is enjoyable, given that it was made by someone not used to directing musicals, Francis Ford Coppola. Jack Jones had a very nice voice indeed, but I don't recall him having very much acting experience. It's certainly possible he could have been very fine in the role, too. |
