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.

The Luck of the Irish is a humorous, adorable film. The casting was excellent. Tyrone Power is perfect for the role of a writer struggling between seeking wealth and staying true to himself, and Anne Baxter, as always, is a delight to see. Most actresses have difficulty doing an Irish accent believably, but Anne Baxter pulls it off quite well and is not only beautiful, but endearing as well. A good lesson can be learned from this film and there are several good quotations in it. The end is satisfying and leaves the viewer feeling happy and perhaps a little whimsical. The only pity is that this film could not have been shot in color. Can't you just imagine how gorgeous that waterfall would have been in "Glorious Technicolor?"

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.

I saw this movie back in the mid 80's on AMC when they had the great host who introduced films(before TCM stole all their flicks) and he mentioned that the movie had not been seen in years because of legal things in the estates of some or one of the actors.I was pleasantly surprised when I watched it but it is one of those movies that seems to be shown once in a blue moon.Considering the major actors involved it's hard to comprehend the movie isn't on more often.Tyrone Power wasn't often in comic movies but he does well here and though I have read this movie is from a novel I can't help but think of Brigadoon whenever I think of it.

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.