No, it was not. The same year, saw "Oliver!" and "Funny Girl." It made $5.1 million - I do not know the budget. Coppola did meet George Lucas on the set of this film. Lucas was a USC film student, who was interning via a scholarship.
shareIt was a 'hit' but mainly because of Petula, Fred, the album release, the premieres around the US. I still have the 'dorm room' poster that was in the album.
The direction by Coppola was a horror, as he admits in the anniversary release where he provides scene by scene commentary; including his confession of cutting off Fred's feet.
Non known gossip: my partner in the 70's worked with a man who's partner (flamboyant screaming queen) was actually married to Fred Astaire's daughter during the filming of Finian's.
He and Fred's daughter were on the set daily. When he told me this I was astounded because I was in love with Petula. He was Hollywood ho ho blah blah about Petula, "she was nice" was his only comment. He was long divorced from Fred's daughter at this time in 1976.
he told us that on the day he married Fred's daughter Fred said: "Everyone knows you're the most screaming queen in Hollywood, try and keep it under control while married to my daughter.
He relayed th