Darby O'Gill And The Little People (1959)

A frisky storyteller (Albert Sharpe) is desperately seeking the proverbial pot of gold. In order to get his wish, he must match wits with a devious leprechaun (Jimmy O'Dea). Based on the stories by Herminie Templeton Kavanagh and directed by Robert Stevenson (MARY POPPINS). This whimsical Walt Disney live action feature is the thickest slice of Irish blarney this side of John Ford. It's laid on with a trowel and there's even a brawl in a pub toward the end of the movie. Yet the film is remembered with fondness by many who saw it in their childhood. Personally, when it comes to Irish whimsy, I'll take FINIAN'S RAINBOW. It's not horrid, just overbearing in its quaintness. The most notable aspect of the film is Sean Connery in his Hollywood (though set in Ireland, it was made at Disney studios) film debut. He's quite dashing and the seeds of his charismatic stardom which came into fruition in 1962 are already in evidence. With Janet Munro, Estelle Winwood, Kieron Moore, Jack MacGowran and Denis O'Dea.