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The Luck of the Irish

  • 1948
  • Not Rated
  • 1h 39m
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
1.3K
YOUR RATING
Tyrone Power, Anne Baxter, and Cecil Kellaway in The Luck of the Irish (1948)
ComedyFantasyRomance

Following American reporter Stephen Fitzgerald from Ireland to New York, a grateful leprechaun acts as the newsman's servant and conscience.Following American reporter Stephen Fitzgerald from Ireland to New York, a grateful leprechaun acts as the newsman's servant and conscience.Following American reporter Stephen Fitzgerald from Ireland to New York, a grateful leprechaun acts as the newsman's servant and conscience.

  • Director
    • Henry Koster
  • Writers
    • Philip Dunne
    • Constance Jones
    • Guy Jones
  • Stars
    • Tyrone Power
    • Anne Baxter
    • Cecil Kellaway
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.6/10
    1.3K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Henry Koster
    • Writers
      • Philip Dunne
      • Constance Jones
      • Guy Jones
    • Stars
      • Tyrone Power
      • Anne Baxter
      • Cecil Kellaway
    • 30User reviews
    • 6Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar
      • 1 win & 1 nomination total

    Photos23

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    Top cast72

    Edit
    Tyrone Power
    Tyrone Power
    • Stephen Fitzgerald
    Anne Baxter
    Anne Baxter
    • Nora
    Cecil Kellaway
    Cecil Kellaway
    • Horace
    Lee J. Cobb
    Lee J. Cobb
    • D.C. Augur
    James Todd
    • Bill Clark
    Jayne Meadows
    Jayne Meadows
    • Frances Augur
    J.M. Kerrigan
    J.M. Kerrigan
    • Tatie the Innkeeper
    Phil Brown
    Phil Brown
    • Tom Higginbotham
    Charles Irwin
    Charles Irwin
    • Cornelius
    Robert Adler
    Robert Adler
    • Reporter
    • (uncredited)
    Harry Antrim
    Harry Antrim
    • Sen. Ransom
    • (uncredited)
    Frank Baker
    Frank Baker
    • Reporter
    • (uncredited)
    Brandon Beach
    • Reporter
    • (uncredited)
    Rodney Bell
    • Reporter
    • (uncredited)
    Bill Borzage
    Bill Borzage
    • Accordionist
    • (uncredited)
    Paul Bradley
    Paul Bradley
    • Waiter
    • (uncredited)
    Claribel Bressel
    • Bride
    • (uncredited)
    Don Brodie
    Don Brodie
    • Reporter
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Henry Koster
    • Writers
      • Philip Dunne
      • Constance Jones
      • Guy Jones
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews30

    6.61.3K
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    Featured reviews

    8slthompson2

    A Very Charming Film

    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?"
    8mcdowelldjl

    Leprechauns don't really exist -- or do they?

    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.
    6bkoganbing

    Irish Whimsy

    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.
    8Steven Reinagel

    Eye-catching sparkle of a film

    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!
    zikzak-zikzak-zikzak

    Catch this on Fox Movie Channel sometime!

    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.

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    Related interests

    Will Ferrell in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
    Comedy
    Elijah Wood in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
    Fantasy
    Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca (1942)
    Romance

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The Irish sequences were tinted green for the original release.
    • Goofs
      When Horace is jumping over the sofa in the scene where Stephen is chasing him, the stuntman's wig clearly falls halfway off his head.
    • Quotes

      Horace: [to Stephen] I offered you gold. 'Tis not my fault you prefer a pebble.

    • Alternate versions
      The opening and closing scenes, which take place in Ireland, were tinted green in the original theatrical showings. TV prints of "The Luck of The Irish" are in black-and-white only. The recent DVD release includes both versions.
    • Connections
      Featured in Jayne Meadows Remembers... (2008)
    • Soundtracks
      The Rose of Tralee
      (uncredited)

      Written by C. Mordaunt Spencer

      Sung by Jimmy O'Brien at the party

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    FAQ16

    • How long is The Luck of the Irish?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 15, 1948 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Italian
    • Also known as
      • El amor que tú me diste
    • Filming locations
      • 20th Century Fox Ranch, Malibu Creek State Park - 1925 Las Virgenes Road, Calabasas, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Twentieth Century Fox
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 39m(99 min)
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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