I know that Valentine’s Day is barely over. I know that St. Patrick’s Day is a month away. But, I think that you’ll probably want some time so that you can prepare for watching St. Patrick’s Day movies with your grandchildren.
I recommend that you go to your local library or Blockbuster store, get a copy, and preview the movie. That way, you can make sure that the content is appropriate and that it is good for your grandchildren’s age level. Here’s a list of a few possible movies that I have found.
Darby O’Gill and the Little People. Darby O’Gill tells wild stories of leprechauns. When he actually captures the leprechaun king and discovers their hidden gold, no one will believe him. Filmed in 1959.
Finian’s Rainbow. A mysterious Irishman has stolen a leprechaun’s pot of gold and goes to a small Southern town to plant it in the ground so it will grow. A leprechaun has followed him and tries to get the pot back. Filmed in 1968.
The Gnome-Mobile. An eccentric millionaire (Walter Brennan for those of us who are old enough to remember him) and his grandchildren are caught in the plights of forest gnomes who are searching for the rest of their tribe. Filmed in 1967.
The Magical Legend of the Leprechauns. A businessman rents a cottage on Emerald Isle which is occupied by a family of leprechauns. Filmed in 1999.
The White Pony. Kids, horses, magic, whimsy. This is a movie about a pony’s journey to the top of a movie career. Made in 1999.
Leapin’ Leprechaun. A man tries to build a theme park on top of land that’s the home to friendly Leprechauns. Filmed in 1995.
Luck of the Irish. This 1948 movie is about a leprechaun who acts as a news reporter’s servant and conscience.
I couldn’t resist sharing one other movie. But this is more for grandma than for grandchildren. Maybe. That movie is The Quiet Man. There’s action, excitement, romance.
It’s a classic movie from 1952 starring John Wayne and is about a young man who returns to Ireland from America to reclaim his homestead and escape his past. No leprechauns in this movie but if you’re a John Wayne fan, you’ll enjoy it. And, I think that grandchildren will enjoy it too — if you tell them in advance that this is a ‘classic’ movie sans visual effects, aliens, or magical wizards. The plot is king here.
