For our money, this film was one of the best we've seen in a long time. Its story told of lovable old Darby (Albert Sharpe) and his belief in the Little People, the Leprechauns. They may look cute and lovable, but theyre pretty dangerous for mortals to go fooling around with—as Darby finds out. He's after the pot of gold belonging to Brian (Jimmy ODea), the King of the Leprechauns. And he nearly gets it, too, as well as three wishes. But King Brian is a little too clever, and a tragedy nearly results, before everything finally gets straightened out. The trick effects in this film are the finest Frankensteins editors have ever seen (which is going some), and we were very surprised when they didnt get nominated for an Academy Award. (Not that Disney needs another one!)
This picture is also closer to a horror film than anything the Disney studios have yet done. Small wonder, with Robert Stevenson directing. He was the man in back of the camera for Karloffs The Man Who Lived Again. There are not only the little people and their eerie underworld kingdom, but a mountain that splits open, a Pookah or spirit horse, the Costa Bower (Death Coach) and its headless driver. And a banshee, the likes of which weve never seen equalled! We hope Disney makes more pictures like this!
