The Luck of the Irish (1948)

Cecil Kellaway and Jayne Meadows are the people who make The Luck of the Irish such an enjoyable experience. Tyrone Power is no more than okay. He's too stiff. What was really needed for the principal part was someone who was much more relaxed – Bing Crosby, for instance. Power neither looks nor acts like a man who could make friends with a leprechaun. He is too serious and has no trace of whimsy in his make- up. Kellaway was nominated for an Academy Award for best Supporting Actor. He deserved to win in my opinion, but lost out to Walter Huston for his role in Treasure of the Sierra Madre. Another problem I have with the movie is Henry Koster's undistinguished and rather flat-footed direction. I think it was a really clever idea of producer Fred Kohlmar to dress up the Irish scenes with a green tint. True, he had to do something, but reverting back to the heyday of silent movies when tinting was commonplace, was a masterstroke.

In a premise very similar to the recent musical "Brigadoon", two men (Tyrone Power and James Todd, I believe) end up in the Irish countryside (as opposed to the Scottish location of "Brigadoon") and encounter the beautiful Anne Baxter, while Power continually has visions of leprechaun Cecil Kellaway. Baxter and Power of course fall in love, but he must return to obligations in New York City. Hired by powerful politician Lee J. Cobb, Power becomes involved with his daughter (Jayne Meadows), but must deal with the presence of his rather clumsy new valet, played by none other than Mr. Kellaway. Is he or isn't he the leprechaun from Ireland? Kellaway won't say, but in dropping hints, it appears he is. Like the leprechaun, he has a taste for whiskey, and is very prankish as well. (He steals the milk from all of Powers' neighbors so it won't spoil.) After being pick-pocketed in the crowded New York subway, Power encounters a visiting Anne Baxter and they renew their friendship in spite of his engagement to Meadows. Powers now has choices to make-will he pursue his own happiness or follow what he believes to be his destiny? This enchanting comedy is an excellent follow-up for Cecil Kellaway's Academy Award Winning performance in "The Miracle on 34th Street", and had he not won the year before, he would certainly have had a better chance (although the winning Walter Huston was certainly deserving of the award). Had Kellaway's role been expanded just a bit more, he would actually be the leading man!Power seems much more comfortable here than he did in the same year's "That Wonderful Urge", perhaps because his character is much more realistic, and the script feels very modern. The subway scene in New York is quite refreshingly real. How many light-hearted films actually show a pickpocketing? It bogs down a bit with the political story, and the romance between Power and Meadows seems doomed from the start. Anne Baxter, fresh from her own Oscar for "The Razor's Edge" (also opposite Power), is perfectly sweet and feisty as the Irish lass. She makes me think of a young Maeve (Helen Gallagher) on "Ryan's Hope". The wedding reception scene is straight out of "Ryan's Bar" and is only missing Gallagher hopping onto the bar to sing "Danny Boy". The scenes in Ireland are filmed with a mystical feeling, particularly the stream and waterfall where Power initially sees Kellaway.Thank You, 20th Century Fox, for opening up your archives to audiences to see these classics not frequently seen on TV. This is one of the best.

I have to believe this movie was inspired by "Miracle on 34th Street." In both, a supposedly fantastical person (Santa Claus, leprechaun) puts his oar into the lives of some cynical, unhappy people, makes them realize What's Truly Important, and changes their lives forever, for the better. Sappy nonsense, but absolutely enjoyable from start to finish.This is one of Jayne Meadows' first films. I thought I recognized her from an early TV panel show, and I did. She appeared many times on the old "What's My Line" show. She is the sister of Audrey Meadows, who played Alice Cramden on many of Jackie Gleason's "The Honeymooners" shows. Thanks to IMDb for the details that make these old films more interesting.

This film was shown recently on cable; it was a refreshing change of pace. This 1948 movie, directed by Henry Koster, is a delightful experience for the young at heart and for those of us enchanted by the Irish folk lore.The movie's plot is just a pretext to present Tyrone Power, one of the most handsome actors of the period, in a light comedy that takes him to Ireland, the land of his ancestors, to discover himself. The story is a fantasy, if not, how could we believe in Stephen's transformation by what he witness at the waterfall by the river, or his encounter with Nora at the inn? Not only that, but no sooner than he is back in New York, Horace, the leprechaun, makes an unexpected entrance in his life, and suddenly he discovers Nora riding the IRT?This is a movie to be enjoyed because of the marvelous cast. Tyrone Power plays Fitz who is a different man from his experiences in Ireland. Fitz, evidently, having drunk the Irish whiskey, and eaten the Irish stew, is a changed man. Mr. Power plays this man effortlessly. Equally excellent is Cecil Kellaway. His Horace is a man that has all the magical powers to lure Fitz back to the "old sod". Horace is a clever old man who can see right through anyone. Anne Baxter is also a great asset. Ms. Baxter and Mr. Power had a nice chemistry. Her Nora shows the right balance to attract Fitz and make him fall in love with her and with Ireland.Lee J. Cobb's Augur, doesn't have much to do, but he is good as the man who wants to please his daughter above all things. Jayne Meadows made a rare appearance in the movie as Frances, the spoiled girl that wants Fitz for herself and will do everything in her power to get him.This movie was a rare find. Watch it and cherish it with an open heart.