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Darby O'Gill and the Little People (1959)

6.9
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Ratings: 6.9/10 from 3,799 users  
Reviews: 50 user | 21 critic

A wily old codger matches wits with the king of the leprechauns and helps play matchmaker for his daughter and the strapping lad who has replaced him as caretaker.

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Title: Darby O'Gill and the Little People (1959)

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Cast

Complete credited cast:
Albert Sharpe ...
...
...
Jimmy O'Dea ...
Kieron Moore ...
...
Walter Fitzgerald ...
Denis O'Dea ...
J.G. Devlin ...
...
Farrell Pelly ...
Nora O'Mahoney ...
Molly Malloy (as Nora O'Mahony)
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Storyline

Darby O'Gill seems to be as full of blarney as any old codger in Ireland, but the stories of leprechauns he tells at the pub are true. In fact, he and the tiny King Brian, ruler of the little people, are friendly adversaries, continually out-foxing each other. Darby needs a bit of magical help from the wily king when Lord Fitzpatrick replaces him as caretaker with the handsome, strapping young Michael from Dublin. Michael falls in love with Darby's beautiful daughter, Katie, which is all right with Darby; but the lad has a rival in a local ruffian, the son of a devious widow who wants her boy to be the caretaker. King Brian's supernatural assistance is necessary to make everything come out all right, but the sneaky leprechaun won't play matchmaker without a fight. Finally, real trouble comes in the form of the Banshee, and Darby will need all his quick wits to save his daughter from the wicked spirit. Written by J. Spurlin

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

leprechaun | daughter | gold | banshee | pub | See more »

Taglines:

SPARKLIN' FULL OF FUN! (original print ad - all caps) See more »


Certificate:

Approved | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

Language:

|

Release Date:

23 March 1960 (Japan)  »

Also Known As:

The Little People  »

Company Credits

Production Co:

 »
Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

(RCA Sound Recording)

Color:

(Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.75 : 1
See  »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Walt Disney was initially hoping to cast Barry Fitzgerald in the dual roles of Darby O'Gill and King Brian. Fitzgerald reportedly declined due to his advanced age (although his eventual replacement as Darby, Albert Sharpe, was three years his senior). Disney regretted the loss of Fitzgerald in the lead role, and blamed the film's disappointing box-office performance partly on this loss. See more »

Goofs

When Michael and Katie escape from the the bully in the field, Michael's neck-scarf has fallen down his shirt and is no longer visible. After Katie mentions that she didn't care if Michael got hurt, his scarf suddenly is tied prominently around his neck and plumped under his chin. See more »

Quotes

[first lines]
Katie O'Gill: Come in, Mrs. Sugrue!
Sheelah Sugrue: Katie, darlin'! Can you lend me the loan of a small pinch o' tea; I'll pay ye back Thursday.
Katie O'Gill: Ye can have it an' welcome.
See more »

Crazy Credits

In the opening credits: My thanks to King Brian of Knocknasheega and his Leprechauns, whose gracious co-operation made this picture possible. - Walt Disney See more »

Connections

Referenced in Swiss Family Robinson: Adventure in the Making (2002) See more »

Soundtracks

"Pretty Irish Girl"
by Lawrence Edward Watkin & Oliver Wallace
Performed by Sean Connery and Janet Munro
See more »

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User Reviews

 
One of Disneys Best
17 March 2003 | by (Holbrook, NY) – See all my reviews

I first saw this film when I was 6 years old (I'm 49 now) and it stayed with me since then. The special effects are so good that I REALLY believed that the "little people" existed.(I also love Walt Disneys acknowledgement in the credits, thanking the "wee folk" for their cooperation in making the film). I still watch the film (usually around St.Patricks day) and after 43 years it still delights me. The story is short sweet and to the point, the acting wonderful, especially Albert Sharpe, Janet Munro and a very young Sean Connery(who sings very nicely), and Robert Stevensons' direction is right on the money. The later scenes, with the death carriage and the banshees scared me silly as a child and are still quite creepy. This is a film that holds up extraordinarily well and is terrific for family viewing. I have a copy on laser disc but look foward to its eventual release on DVD.


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Message Boards

Recent Posts
Banshee scene scared me sh**less!! countess_D84
Sean Connery! Wow!!!!! SCsurfguy
Question for non irish people who watched it lianmc
Who is the Banshee?!?! longview
Does King Brian have to stay in the Death Coach? ayelver
What would happen in a re-make? hodgepodge2989

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