The Luck of the Irish (1948)

52% of users liked it
(123 ratings)

A semi-fantasy with sociological overtones, The Luck of the Irish stars Tyrone Power as an American journalist named Stephen Fitzgerald visiting the home of his ancestors in Ireland. Power encounters a jolly old man (Cecil Kellaway) who claims to be a leprechaun -- and proves it to the journalist's… More A semi-fantasy with sociological overtones, The Luck of the Irish stars Tyrone Power as an American journalist named Stephen Fitzgerald visiting the home of his ancestors in Ireland. Power encounters a jolly old man (Cecil Kellaway) who claims to be a leprechaun -- and proves it to the journalist's satisfaction. The leprechaun trails Stephen to New York, smooths the path of romance between Stephen and lovely Nora (Anne Baxter), and watches in dismay as Stephen becomes the tool of a quasi-fascistic publisher. The journalist comes to his senses thanks to the leprechaun's intervention and goes to work for a more liberal publication. He heads back to Ireland with new wife, Nora, and the beneficent leprechaun. The Luck of the Irish was based on a novel by Guy and Constance Jones, who probably would have been blacklisted when the political winds of Hollywood shifted a few years later. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 39 min.
Directed By: Henry Koster, Roy Ward Baker
Genres: Drama, Romance, Classics, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Comedy

In Theaters: Sep 15, 1948 Wide
On DVD: Jul 29, 2008

No Critic Reviews Found…

Featured Audience Ratings

jay n

Charming little trifle. Ty is well cast, Anne Baxter charming and Jayne Meadows is effective, chic but not yet the lacquered phony she eventually evolved into too. However the picture is stolen by Cecil Kellaway when ever he appears with that irrestible twinkle in his eye.
Henrik S

A charming little movie about a man who meets a Leprechaun (played by Cecil Kellaway from It's a wonderful life), which in turn is determined to show him the true path to love and happiness. What sounds rather cheesy is a tender and amusing comedy, which is half screwball, half… More
A charming little movie about a man who meets a Leprechaun (played by Cecil Kellaway from It's a wonderful life), which in turn is determined to show him the true path to love and happiness. What sounds rather cheesy is a tender and amusing comedy, which is half screwball, half character study. The scenes set in Ireland are lovely to look at and warm the heart so is Cecil Kellaway's oscar nominated performance of the Irish gnome. The movie is virtually unknown and hard to find on DVD, you can watch it on Youtube here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbPfmFZPpsM. Recommended for fans of Ireland, classic Hollywood and B-Movies. Henrik

Cast

            Tyrone Power as Stephen Fitzgerald

            Anne Baxter as Nora

            Cecil Kellaway as Horace Lee

            Lee J Cobb as D.C. Augur

            James Todd as Bill Clark

            Jayne Meadows as Frances Augur

            J.M. Kerrigan as Taedy

            Phil Brown as Higginbotham

            Charles Irwin as Cornelius

            Louise Lorimer as Augur's Secretary

            Harry Antrim as Sen. Ransom

            Margaret Wells as Mrs. Augur

            John W. Goldsworthy as Butler

            Dorothy Neumann as Employment Agency Manager

            Ruth Clifford as Secretary

            Douglas Gerrard as Receptionist

            Tito Vuolo as Greek Vendor

            Norman Leavitt as Milkman

            Frank Mitchell as Irish Dancer

            Alberto Morin as Captain of the Waiters

            Hollis Jewell as Cab Driver

            Ann Frederick as Hatcheck Girl

            Eddie Parks as Pickpocket

            John Roy as Subway Guard

            Jimmy O'Brien as Singer

            Robert Adler
            
            Don Brodie
            
            Gene Garrick
            
            Robert Karnes as Reporter

            John Farrell MacDonald as Captain

            Marion Marshall as Secretary

            Tom Stevenson as Gentleman's Gentleman

            Wilson Wood
            
            John Davidson as Repotter

            George Melford as Doorman

            Tim Ryan as Patrolman Clancy

            Ann Blyth
            
            Beatrice Campbell
            
            Dennis Price
            
            Michael Rennie
            
See full cast