Top 10 St. Patrick’s Day Movies
by 
Jane Boursaw on March 17th, 2008
Irish immigrants, unlucky leprechauns, people whose names start with O…it’s all great fodder for movies that celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Here are my top ten movies to give you a wee bit ‘o the Irish:
10. Finian’s Rainbow. A leprechaun with issues, a new dam, and a bigot Senator all play into this movie starring Fred Astaire as a mysterious Irishman named Finian. All heck breaks loose when he and daughter Sharon arrive one day in Rainbow Valley, a small Southern town of tobacco sharecroppers in the mythical state of Missitucky. A great musical with beautiful tunes, like Petula Clark’s “How Are Things in Glocca Morra?” Buy “Finian’s Rainbow”
9. The Luck of the Irish. Teenager Kyle has always relied on his pot o’ gold charm to bring him luck. But when he loses the charm, he learns the truth about his background — he’s actually part Leprechaun! Now he’s in a race against time to defeat the charm-thief before he gains control of all the Leprechauns. It’s good, clean Disney fun, with a bit o’ the Irish thrown in for good luck. And it reminds us that it’s always better to our own luck. Buy “Luck of the Irish”
More Irish after the jump…
8. Far and Away. Ron Howard helmed this period piece about a couple of plucky Irish immigrants who escape to America in search of land and opportunities. Ah, the good old days when Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman were Hollywood’s super couple. Ok, so the plot meanders a bit, but I’ve always loved this movie’s do-or-die characters, the splendid landscape, and Enya’s beautiful soundtrack, including “Book of Days.” Buy “Far and Away”
7. The Gnome Mobile. An eccentric millionaire and his grandchildren get involved in the plight of some forest gnomes searching for the rest of their tribe. It’s sweet, fun, and includes the requisite wild chase scene found in all classic Disney movies. And with a backdrop of Northern California’s majestic Redwood Forest, it’s a fantastic homage to Irish tales. Buy “The Gnome-Mobile”
6. Waking Ned Devine. When Ned Devine dies from shock after winning the lottery, two longtime friends discover the body and agree that Ned would want them to benefit from his good luck. It’ll make you feel like a million bucks, and how many movies can you say that about? Buy “Waking Ned Devine”
5. A Very Unlucky Leprechaun. When Molly and her father inherit a house in Ireland, she discovers a leprechaun living in the house. Unfortunately his bad luck – he hasn’t eaten a four-leaf clover in over one hundred years – begins to rub off on Molly. Buy “A Very Unlucky Leprechaun”
4. The Departed. Two men from opposite sides of the law are undercover in the Massachusetts State Police and the Irish mafia. As you might imagine, it doesn’t end well. This movie has some of the best lines ever uttered by Jack Nicholson. When a colleague states that his mom is dying, Jack responds with: “We all are. Act accordingly.” Buy “The Departed” (Widescreen Edition)
3. Going My Way. Best Actor winner Bing Crosby shines as Father O’Malley, a young priest new to a parish in dire financial straits. When his ideas conflict with the stodgy Father Fitzgibbon, the two eventually come to an understanding. Bing Crosby is the best crooner in history, especially when he’s got the St. Dominic’s Parish boys choir as backup singers. Buy “Going My Way” (Universal Cinema Classics)
2. Darby O’Gill and the Little People. On the enchanted Emerald Isle, Darby O’Gill spins tall tales of leprechauns and banshees. When he actually captures the leprechaun king and discovers their hidden gold, is it any wonder that no one believes him? I think not. And you get to see Sean Connery sing! Buy “Darby O’Gill and the Little People”
1. The Quiet Man. John Wayne plays Sean Thornton, a disgraced American boxer who returns to his native land of Ireland to spar with the hot-tempered Mary Kate (Maureen O’Hara) and her stubborn brother Will (Victor McLaglen). Crowded with smoky pubs, emerald landscapes, and Irish brawls, this movie earned Oscars for cinematography and directing in 1953. Perhaps because it was a subject close to director John Ford’s heart – his real name was Sean O’Feeney! Buy “The Quiet Man” (Collector’s Edition)
Did I miss your favorites? Post a comment below, and let me know!
Photos: Jack Nicholson, The Departed, Warner Bros. Pictures, 2006; David Kelly, Waking Ned Devine, 20th Century Fox Films, 1998.
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