What Is Finian’s Rainbow About?
The premise of Finian’s Rainbow in 278 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the rolling hills of a fictional Kentucky valley, an Irish immigrant arrives with his spirited daughter, clutching a pot of leprechaun gold that promises to grant wishes. Finian McLonergan steps onto the dusty roads with a blend of hope and mischief, his eyes set on a fresh start for himself and Sharon, whose curiosity about the new world matches the glittering promise of the treasure they carry. The landscape teems with rust‑baked farms and close‑knit neighbors, all moving to a rhythm that feels part folk‑song, part restless yearning.
Within the valley, a handful of locals embody the community’s eclectic heart. Woody Mahoney drifts through life with a dreamy optimism that makes him the perfect companion for Sharon, while his mute sister, Susan the Silent, conveys emotion through dance, hinting at stories that words cannot capture. Howard, an inventive African‑American botanist, dreams of turning the earth itself into a source of prosperity, his experiments a quiet rebellion against the poverty that hangs over the town. Their lives intersect under the gentle sway of everyday rituals, creating a tapestry of love, ambition, and unspoken solidarity that feels both timeless and freshly relevant.
Yet the valley’s gentle cadence is challenged by the presence of Senator Billboard Rawkins, a powerful figure whose contempt for the community’s diversity threatens to upend the fragile harmony. His ambitions clash with the dreams ignited by the magical gold, setting the stage for a subtle struggle between hope and prejudice. As wishes hover on the brink of becoming reality, the audience is invited to wonder how far the promise of a single pot of enchanted treasure can stretch a community already rich in character and resilience.
What Happens in Finian’s Rainbow?
The complete story of Finian’s Rainbow, from the first scene to the last, in 502 words (about 2 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 8 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
A scheming immigrant named Finian McLonergan, Fred Astaire arrives in America from his native Ireland, dragging a carpetbag that hides a crock of gold and bringing his daughter Sharon along to Rainbow Valley in the fictional state of Missitucky, where he hopes to bury the treasure near Fort Knox so its magic will multiply.
Hot on his heels is the leprechaun Og, Tommy Steele, desperate to recover his stolen crock before the magic wears off and he turns human. Among those drawn into the conflict are Woody Mahoney, Don Francks, a dreamy, impulsive man who woos Sharon; Susan the Silent, Barbara Hancock, Woody’s mute sister who speaks through expressive dance; Howard, Al Freeman Jr., an African-American botanist intent on developing a tobacco and mint hybrid; and Senator Billboard Rawkins, Keenan Wynn, a bigoted politician who sees Rainbow Valley as a target for profit and power.
Complications arise when Rawkins, convinced there is gold in Rainbow Valley, moves to seize the land from its residents, spewing racial slurs as he campaigns for control. Sharon, unknowingly standing on the exact spot where the crock is buried, makes a bold wish that Rawkins would turn black. In a swift turn of fate, Rawkins becomes Black; his dog—trained to attack Black people—gives chase, driving him into the woods. The leprechaun Og confronts the transformed Rawkins and explains that a witch’s magic altered his skin. To prove a change of heart, Og casts a spell to make Rawkins more open-minded.
The townspeople gather in the barn for the long-awaited wedding of Sharon and Woody, but the Sheriff, Dolph Sweet, his deputies, and the District Attorney, Wright King, interrupt the ceremony and arrest Sharon for witchcraft. Finian convinces them that Sharon can reverse Rawkins’s skin change overnight, and they imprison Sharon and Woody in the barn until daybreak. Meanwhile, Finian frantically tries to locate the crock, unaware that Susan has already discovered it and moved it to safety.
Og finally meets Susan on the bridge beneath which she has hidden the gold, and as he falls for her in Sharon’s absence, he wishes that she could talk. When Susan begins to speak, Og realizes that he must be standing above the crock for the magic to endure. With the clock ticking and the barn set to burn, Og wrestles with whether to use the final wish to restore Rawkins to whiteness—knowing the magic would vanish, the gold would disappear, and he would become mortal. After a passionate kiss from Susan, he chooses love and humanity, using the last wish to turn Rawkins white again. Sharon and Woody are released from the burning barn, and Howard’s mentholated tobacco experiments finally pay off, delivering financial relief to Rainbow Valley’s poor residents regardless of skin color.
In the aftermath, the town finds a fragile harmony as the magical gold’s power wanes, Sharon and Woody wed, and Finian—ever the wanderer—leaves Rainbow Valley in search of his own rainbow, hopeful that the valley’s new blend of opportunity and community will endure beyond magic.
Finian’s Rainbow Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
13 key events in the order they happen, from “Finian arrives in Rainbow Valley with Sharon and the crock” to “Sharon and Woody wed; Finian departs”. 13 events name a place, across 4 locations.
- 1
Finian arrives in Rainbow Valley with Sharon and the crock
Finian McLonergan lands in Rainbow Valley with his daughter Sharon, carrying a crock of gold secreted in a carpetbag. He intends to bury the treasure there, hoping proximity to Fort Knox will multiply it. Sharon accompanies him as they scout the land.
When:Arrival Where:Rainbow Valley
- 2
Og the leprechaun pursues his crock
Og the leprechaun arrives hot on Finian's trail, desperate to recover his stolen crock. He vows to reclaim the gold before Finian can use its magic. The chase sets up the central conflict over Rainbow Valley.
When:Soon after arrival Where:Rainbow Valley
- 3
Finian plans to bury the crock in Rainbow Valley
Finian explains his plan to bury the crock of gold in Rainbow Valley, believing the magic will amplify the treasure's value. He counts on the crock's rule that it grants three wishes to aid their fortunes. Sharon supports the risky scheme as they stake out the land.
When:Soon after arrival Where:Rainbow Valley
- 4
Rawkins moves to seize Rainbow Valley
Senator Billboard Rawkins learns there may be gold in Rainbow Valley and moves to seize the land and its people. He uses slurs and intimidation to press his claim. The town's future hangs in the balance as his power grows.
When:Early Where:Rainbow Valley
- 5
Sharon triggers the crock's magic; Rawkins transformed
Sharon unknowingly stands on the spot where the crock is buried, triggering its magic. Rawkins is transformed into a Black man, and his dog is trained to attack Black people, sending him fleeing into the woods. The event reveals the crock's power and its unpredictable consequences.
When:Evening Where:Rainbow Valley woods
- 6
Lawmen threaten Sharon with witchcraft and arrest her
The sheriff and the district attorney threaten to charge Sharon with witchcraft unless Rawkins is produced. They arrest her amid fear and curiosity in Rainbow Valley. Finian begins to worry for his daughter as the crowd gathers.
When:Evening Where:Rainbow Valley
- 7
Finian arranges a barn hold overnight plan
Finian convinces the authorities to hold Sharon and Woody in the barn overnight, hoping the crock's magic will be enough to fix things by daybreak. He braces against the law while anticipating the 'three wishes' of the crock. The plan postpones the confrontation to the next morning.
When:Night before wedding Where:Rainbow Valley barn
- 8
Og and Susan meet on the bridge; Susan speaks
Og meets Susan on the bridge beneath Rainbow Valley; she reveals she has found the crock's location. He wishes she could talk to him, hoping for companionship in Sharon's absence. He senses he must stand above the crock to fulfill its final wish.
When:Before dawn Where:Bridge over Rainbow Valley
- 9
Og contemplates the crock's final wish
Og debates using the crock's final wish to restore Rawkins to whiteness and save Sharon, knowing this would strip the crock of its magic and render him mortal. He wrestles with personal sacrifice versus miraculous power. The moment crystallizes the story's moral tension.
When:Midnight to dawn Where:Rainbow Valley
- 10
Og becomes mortal; Rawkins is whitened again
After a kiss from Susan, Og chooses to become human and uses the final wish to turn Rawkins white again. The crock loses its magic, and Og accepts his new mortal life. The town witnesses a hopeful, if uneasy, final balance.
When:Dawn Where:Rainbow Valley
Show the other 3 events of Finian’s Rainbow Hide the last 3 events
- 11
Sharon and Woody are rescued from the burning barn
With dawn breaking, Sharon and Woody are released from the burning barn. Rawkins is restored to whiteness, and the immediate danger passes as the crowd watches the changing tides. The fire marks a turning point toward reconciliation.
When:Dawn Where:Rainbow Valley barn
- 12
Howard's tobacco experiments succeed
Howard, a Black botanist, celebrates a successful mentholated tobacco experiment that yields wealth for Rainbow Valley. The breakthrough promises economic uplift for the poor regardless of skin color. The community begins to envision a more equitable future.
When:After dawn Where:Rainbow Valley
- 13
Sharon and Woody wed; Finian departs
Sharon and Woody marry in Rainbow Valley, symbolizing communal harmony. Finian bids Rainbow Valley farewell and heads off to seek his own rainbow elsewhere. The town embraces a new era of prosperity thanks to Howard's invention and restored goodwill.
When:Ending Where:Rainbow Valley
Who Are the Main Characters in Finian’s Rainbow?
9 characters, among them Finian McLonergan (Fred Astaire), Sharon McLonergan (Petula Clark) and Og the Leprechaun (Tommy Steele): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
-
Finian McLonergan (Fred Astaire)
Played by Fred Astaire
An ambitious immigrant who arrives from Ireland carrying a crock of gold hidden in a carpetbag. He plans to bury the treasure in Rainbow Valley near Fort Knox, hoping it will multiply. His scheming drives the plot but he is motivated by family as much as wealth. He ultimately leaves Rainbow Valley in search of his own rainbow.
- 💰 Greed
- 🎭 Charm
- 👨👧 Family
- SM
Sharon McLonergan (Petula Clark)
Played by Petula Clark
Finian's daughter who accompanies him to Rainbow Valley. She unknowingly stands on the crock, triggering magical events, and resents the town's bigotry. She bonds with Woody and fights for a fair future, eventually marrying him. Her arc centers on love, courage, and confronting prejudice.
- ❤️ Love
- 🎭 Romance
- OT
Og the Leprechaun (Tommy Steele)
Played by Tommy Steele
A leprechaun determined to recover his stolen crock. He must become mortal to resolve the conflict and navigates a growing attraction to Susan. He makes a pivotal choice to use his final wishes with heavy consequences for himself. Ultimately, he sacrifices immortality to restore balance and the town's future.
- 🧚 Magic
- 💫 Destiny
- 💖 Love
- WM
Woody Mahoney (Don Francks)
Played by Don Francks
A ne'er-do-well dreamer who woos Sharon; he embodies hopeful ambition and romantic idealism. He becomes part of the couple's life and wedding, representing the possibility of a better future for Rainbow Valley. His character is integral to the union of love and community.
- 🌟 Dreamer
- 💘 Love
- ST
Susan the Silent (Barbara Hancock)
Played by Barbara Hancock
Woody's mute sister who expresses herself through dance. She discovers the crock and influences events through movement, eventually sharing a bond with Og. Her dancing is a key nonverbal force that moves the narrative toward resolution.
- 💃 Dance
- 🎭 Expression
-
Senator Billboard Rawkins (Keenan Wynn)
Played by Keenan Wynn
A bigoted politician who attempts to seize Rainbow Valley, using racial prejudice to justify his actions. His transformation becomes a catalyst for confronting prejudice, as magic exposes the emptiness of his views. The resolution hinges on his eventual exposure to openness and forgiveness.
- 🗳️ Politics
- ⚖️ Bigotry
- DA
District Attorney (Wright King)
Played by Wright King
The legal authority who threatens to charge Sharon with witchcraft and presses for control over Rainbow Valley. He embodies the law's role in enforcing social norms and maintaining order amid upheaval. His actions propel the drama toward its magical and communal resolution.
- ⚖️ Law
- 🧭 Authority
- H(
Howard (Al Freeman Jr.)
Played by Al Freeman Jr.
An African-American botanist determined to develop a tobacco and mint hybrid. His scientific work offers a practical path to financial uplift for Rainbow Valley's residents, regardless of skin color. He serves as a bridge between magic, commerce, and communal welfare.
- 🔬 Science
- 💡 Innovation
- S(
Sheriff (Dolph Sweet)
Played by Dolph Sweet
The local law enforcer who accompanies the district attorney and participates in the town's legal drama. He helps maintain order during the upheaval around Sharon's alleged witchcraft. His role underscored the tension between authority and social change.
- 👮 Law enforcement
Where and When Is Finian’s Rainbow Set?
Finian’s Rainbow is set in Rainbow Valley, Missitucky and Fort Knox (1960s). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
1960s
Set in a mid-20th-century American landscape, the story mirrors the era's social dynamics. Racism and political power plays unfold against musical numbers and magical interventions. The period atmosphere grounds the fantasy in a recognizable, contemporary setting.
Where
Rainbow Valley, Missitucky, Fort Knox
Rainbow Valley sits in the fictional state of Missitucky and serves as a close-knit rural town where the drama unfolds. Its proximity to Fort Knox underscores the story's tension between wealth and community. The town becomes a stage for magical events and social tensions, blending fantasy with everyday life.
- 🏞️ Rural town setting
- 🗺️ Fictional Missitucky near Fort Knox
What Are the Themes of Finian’s Rainbow?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Wealth vs. Community, Racial Equality and Magic & Morality.
-
01
Wealth vs. Community
Finian's gold drives the plot as the lure of easy wealth. The plan to bury the crock near Rainbow Valley triggers greed and threatens the town's welfare. Magic shows that wealth must serve everyone, not just the cunning. Howard's tobacco-mint project demonstrates a way to turn wealth into shared prosperity.
-
02
Racial Equality
Rawkins' racism exposes the social fault-lines in Rainbow Valley. The enchantment temporarily changes Rawkins' color to reveal how prejudice persists regardless of skin. Og's final act seeks to resolve bias by restoring fairness, with Susan's kiss sealing a personal sacrifice. The conclusion emphasizes unity over division.
-
03
Magic & Morality
Three wishes underpin the leprechaun's magic, forcing choices between personal loyalty and the greater good. Og grapples with whether to use the final wish to fix Sharon's predicament, risking the loss of magic. Susan's awakening voice marks a turning point that links magic to human connection. The story resolves with communal uplift and love conquering prejudice.
What Kind of Film Is Finian’s Rainbow?
Whimsical in tone, with steady pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Whimsical
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- Medium
- Ending
- Happy
A whimsical and charming musical fantasy that blends magical wishes with a critique of bigotry, resulting in an uplifting and romantic journey filled with song, dance, and hopeful transformation.
- whimsical
- uplifting
- magical
- romantic
- hopeful
- musical
- magical realism
- racial prejudice
- community
- romantic love
Content notes: racial slurs, bigotry.
Quiz
How well do you remember Finian’s Rainbow? Test yourself on the story.
