L'énigmatique Monsieur Horace

Luck of the Irish was a totally enjoyable film which I viewed as a teenager and still remember. Tyrone Power & Anne Baxter had a chemistry somewhat like Tom Hanks & Meg Ryan of today. It is a shame the movie industry has not made a video tape of this movie. If theydid I would go out and buy it in a minute.

A hidden Gem from the stables of Fox Studios in the 1940's, "Luck of the Irish" Was probably a toss-off film for Tyrone Power. Luckily for us viewers, this picture has an undeniable charm much like "Arsenic and Old Lace" or "It's a Wonderful Life". Cecil Calloway steals scenes left and right as a somewhat over-sized Leprechaun, and there's plenty of Irish charm in this movie to satisfy all. My only regret is that Fox didn't film this in color. That being aside, I WILL add this to my DVD collection should it ever come out (HEAR THAT, FOX?). For overall ambiance, think "Brigadoon" w/out the music or color, and you have a delightful comedy suitable for the whole family.

I am a voracious channel surfer. I freely admit that. And when I was laid up with a heating pad applied to a sore neck one morning, the poor remote control was nearly smoking from the furious usage. But I stopped in my tracks as AMC portrayed Anne Baxter as Nora. She looked like the Mira Sorvino of her generation, right down to the delicate brow wrinkles of concern. Then the story drew me in. I didn't move for the next two hours. The leprechaun faded as a cultural image and became instead a vehicle of introspection and divine influence. The character played by Tyrone Power is ageless - men in the workplace are forever torn between following the dreams of their heart, or selling out to "the man" for stability and comfort. For Tyrone, the cost would have included his morality and honesty, which in today's world are sacrificed too easily and too often in the business arena. One comment worth making about the character of Nora; I was pleasantly surprised by how she never tried to manipulate situations to gain what she longed for. She accepted outcomes in a strong and self-assured manner, when it would have been easy to fall back on feminine wiles to turn things her way. A timeless film containing many lessons worth learning!

American Steven Fitzgerald doesn't believe in any of the lore he hears when visiting Ireland. But he knows a pretty lass when he sees one and becomes immediately smitten with sweet, innocent, gullible Nora (Anne Baxter) who believes in faith, family, leprechauns and God knows what else. But then there's that beautiful dame in New York-- sophisticated, smart and, did I mention, the boss's daughter. What's a fellow to do? There's also a sweet irascible, white haired fellow who keeps following Steven and who thinks he's a leprechaun.

Lighthearted basic plot has serious notes of ethics and judgment. Should Steven reach for the golden ring of corporate accomplishment or be true to his mind and heart, and follow his love to Ireland?

And should we all put a Banshee on whoever is keeping this movie out of print on DVD.

The Luck of the Irish has Tyrone Power on holiday in the country of his ancestors. He meets a sprightly colleen in Anne Baxter and happens to capture a leprechaun's treasure. But the leprechaun pulls a whole drama scene on him and feeling sorry for him, he lets the leprechaun keep the treasure.

The leprechaun played by Cecil Kellaway wishes him good luck and travels back to America to see that Power gets it or at least what Kellaway considers good fortune. Kellaway is a bit of a scamp, but it turns out he's got a wise old Irish head on his shoulders.

This may very well have been Cecil Kellaway's career role. He rips off the film from the leads especially Tyrone Power who he has most of his scenes with. Kellaway got an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

Supposedly when first released the Irish scenes had a green sepia tint to them. Not on the print I saw, it was straight black and white. One wonders why Darryl Zanuck didn't bother to do the whole thing in color for his favorite star, Tyrone Power.

Other performances of note are Lee J. Cobb as the publishing magnate whose political views Power is diametrically opposed to, but who accepts a position with him. Also Jayne Meadows who is Cobb's daughter and purportedly one of the perks that goes along with the job. She's got her eyes set on Power as a husband.

Money and the comforts of life that can be bought with it are not easy things to turn down, especially if one has a taste for them. It's led to many a good person's downfall. It's the dilemma Power is faced with and I think you can figure out how he resolves it.

The Luck of the Irish is a nice whimsical film and it's good family entertainment.