Darby O'Gill and the Little People (1959)

Darby O'Gill and the Little People (1959), directed by Robert Stevenson.

I was unaware of this Disney film until recently. I laughed until I cried, although it probably helps to be a celt. My wife looked at me as if I were nuts, but her ancestors came from humorless teutonic regions.

Entirely suitable for children (if they don't mind an amount of drunken carousing and a scary bit with a banshee) it is also entertaining for adults. Or maybe only certain types of adults.

Young Sean Connery sings, lovely Janet Munro glows, and Albert Sharpe is wonderful as her rascally father Darby, whose tall tales in the pub are mostly true.

I like it that leprechauns and humans form a community, separated but still familiar with each other's ways and happenings. The special effects are simple but fun to watch.

http://watershade.net/public/darby1.jpg http://watershade.net/public/darby2.jpg