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St. Patrick’s Day is one of the odder holidays on the calendar. Ostensibly, it is a celebration of Ireland itself; a tribute to its culture, history, and folklore alike. However, at least outside of Ireland - such as in the United States, where the filthy American swine writing this happens to come from - it seems to be treated more as just a day of partying. It’s an excuse to booze up, eat merrily, and wear lots and lots of green. That’s not bad in and of itself, but it emblematic of how commercialized things can get, I suppose; I have no idea how the date is celebrated in other places around the world, including Ireland, mind you.
Again, filthy American swine, that’s me. 😛
Nothing speaks to all this better than the treatment of arguably Ireland’s most famous figure of folklore and legend: the leprechaun. Leprechauns have become mascots for Ireland and St. Patrick’s Day as a whole; a lot of people probably don’t even recognize or know the actual legends behind these little fairy shoemakers and their crocks of gold. However, they have become just as popular and recognizable as other holiday icons, such as Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny. They are the fanciful embodiment of Ireland, in popular culture, and for better or worse, they are as popular as they are whimsical.
Ever since I was a child, I was fascinated by stories about leprechauns; something about these little spritely creatures in their green coats, cobbling shoes and playing tricks, guarding heaps of treasure, just stuck in my imagination in a lot of ways. Part of this may be that I am actually a large part Irish myself, and I’ve looked into the legends and songs about these fair folk with great interest. Of course, with this fascination comes exposure to another medium: the screen. Leprechauns have appeared numerous times in films and on television, and it’s easy to say that these treatments have done just as much for their reputation and popularity as anything else.
I thought it would be fun, this St. Patrick’s Day, to cover some of my favorite interpretations of these strange creatures from movies and TV. I’ve decided to make this a brief Top 7, partially because it’s hard to sort things out after that number…but also because, hey, if we’re celebrating and chatting about “the luck of the Irish,” might as well use the “lucky number seven” as our guideline, eh? So, without further ado…here are My Top 7 Screen Portrayals of Leprechauns!
7. The Leprechauns’ Christmas Gold.
We’re starting off this countdown with a weird one, folks. If you haven’t heard of this somewhat obscure holiday feature, I wouldn’t blame you. This half-hour special was the creation of Rankin/Bass; a company most well-known for their various Christmas cartoons, such as Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, and The Year Without a Santa Claus. “The Leprechauns’ Christmas Gold” was one of their final holiday creations, released in 1981…and you can tell they were REALLY struggling to come up with new ideas for such things. The special is a bizarre hybrid of Christmas cartoon and St. Patrick’s Day celebration. Starring Art Carney as Blarney Kilakilarney (yes, really), the story focuses on the troubles a family of leprechauns face when a wicked banshee, known as Old Mag the Hag, tries to steal all their gold. Mag, you see, needs to have gold in her hands by Christmas morning, or else she will be destroyed, transformed into nothing but a puddle of tears. Mag is imprisoned in a magic pine tree for her evil ways, but a hundred years later, a young cabin boy named Dinty Doyle (played by Broadway-bred actor Ken Jennings) digs up the tree. Mag escapes, summoning a storm and leaving Dinty shipwrecked on the island where all the leprechauns live, and now he and the Little People must try to cooperate to defeat Mag and return home. The special isn’t that great, to be honest; it’s got lots of problems, and it’s obviously quite peculiar. However, I have a soft spot for it: I watch it almost every year. Something about it is fun and comforting, even if it isn’t necessarily the best of Rankin/Bass’ work, and it’s always stuck with me. It’s just my kind of weird and silly; if you think it sounds interesting, consider looking it up and giving it a watch yourself.
6. Finian’s Rainbow.
This colorful 1968 feature - based on the play of the same name - is an early success of legendary filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola. It’s weird to think that only a few years after this movie was released he would go on to debut “The Godfather,” really. The film stars Fred Astaire as con-artist Finian McLonergan: an Irish immigrant to America, who plans to try and make his way in the world via a crock of gold he stole from a leprechaun. The leprechaun, Og - played by Tommy Steele - is slowly turning human, for the longer a leprechaun goes without their gold, the less of a leprechaun they really are. Finian buries the treasure near Fort Knox, of all places, where a series of magical misadventures take place, involving a racist Senator, quarreling farmers, and several musical numbers. The movie is mostly fun, somewhat farcical, and highly satirical…but there is one stumbling block I have to point out: the aforementioned racist Senator gets punished for his wicked ways at one point by being turned into an African American himself. No, the Senator is not played by an African American actor, so…yeah…you can probably guess the awkwardness that arises as a result of that. It’s an unfortunate element in an otherwise great picture, and the main reason I don’t feel I can rank this in the top five. If you think you’d have difficulty watching this movie due to that issue, I wouldn’t blame you…but if there’s one thing this film teaches, it’s the importance of an open mind and an understanding of how times change. That, and that leprechauns are just as nimble on the dance floor when they’re human height as they are when tiny.
5. Wearing of the Grin.
This classic Looney Tunes cartoon is another favorite of mine around St. Patrick’s Day, and - being only about seven-and-a-half minutes in length - it’s an easy viewing for anybody. This short stars Porky Pig, who ends up lost in the middle of Ireland during a thunderstorm. The porcine traveler decides to take shelter inside an old castle, ignoring warning signs to “Beware of the Leprechauns!” This decision quickly comes back to bite Porky in his curly tail, when he ends up being victimized by a pair of leprechauns - O’Pat and O’Mike - who, believing he’s after their pot of gold, force Porky to wear The Green Shoes. This doesn’t seem so bad at first, but it turns out the shoes are alive, and as long as Porky wears them, he’ll be forced to dance an Irish jig non-stop. Porky manages to escape the fiendish footwear, but the shoes themselves give chase, determined to continue the punishment. It’s a typically silly, slapstick bit of goofiness, but there’s also a sense of atmosphere and danger to it you wouldn’t expect, and the visuals get more and more absurd the longer the short goes on, making it quite a feast for the eyes. It’s a hilarious and creative piece of Chuck-Jones-born buffoonery; exactly what a Looney Tunes fan would want for St. Patty’s.
4. Luck of the Irish (2001).
I actually am aware of two films with this title. The first was a 1948 feature, which - by all accounts - has nothing to do with the one we’re talking about here. I sadly have not seen that movie yet (although I would very much like to), so if you’re familiar with it, let me know what you think. For now, let’s focus on our actual topic: this 2001 TV film was made for the Disney Channel. As most people may tell you, Disney Channel movies tend to be hit or miss; some of them are actually quite a good time, considering the low budgets many of them have to work with, while others are…frankly rather painful to sit through. This one, I feel, is in the former category, and it’s actually developed a bit of a cult following for good reason. The story focuses on a young lad named Kyle Johnson, who seems to always have good fortune thanks to a lucky gold coin he wears around his neck. When the coin is stolen, however, not only does Kyle find bad luck following him wherever he goes, but he starts to undergo some strange physical transformations: he starts to grow shorter, his hair turns red, his ears become pointed, etc. It’s ultimately revealed that Kyle is actually half-leprechaun, and the one who stole the coin is a wicked fairy-man by the name of Seamus McTiernen (played by, of all people, Timothy Omundsen). Seamus is trying to steal all the leprechauns’ gold from around the world to become King of the Leprechauns; it’s now up to Kyle to stop him…via a basketball game. OF COURSE! A CLASSIC MANEUVER! PATTON HIMSELF NE’ER HAD BETTER STRATEGY! (pauses) Yeah, like I said, this film is wacky. But it’s a good kind of wacky; if it sounds up your alley, give it a look-see.
3. The Magical Legend of the Leprechauns.
While not received well at the time of its release, this 1999 TV miniseries has since gained a cult following and much more acclaim. Personally, I love it. The story is essentially an adaptation of Shakespeare’s “Romeo & Juliet,” but with an Irish flair. The tale begins when an American entrepreneur, Jack Woods, goes to Ireland for a vacation in the countryside. He soon finds out that his holiday home is frequently visited by the Little People. It turns out the leprechauns are engaged in a feud with the fairies (or the pixies, rather, since leprechauns typically are a sort of fairy). This becomes a problem when the fairy princess, Jessica, falls in love with a young leprechaun named Mickey. Chaos ensues as a result of the tryst between these star-crossed lovers, causing the feud to escalate into an all-out war. At the same time, Jack has to deal with some troublesome affairs of the heart all his own, as he becomes infatuated with a lady named Kathleen. Eventually, the two love stories collide, only heightening the stakes. The miniseries combines many elements of Irish folklore and myth together in its runtime, and treats these elements faithfully while at the same time making various changes to the concepts for its own purposes. It also features a great cast, including some rather surprising performers, such as Whoopi Goldberg. While not as well-known as some of the other items on this list, it’s well-worth checking out.
2. Lucky Charms.
Well, you can’t talk about leprechauns without bringing up this classic cereal and its mascot, can you? I remember loving Lucky Charms as a kid…which is funny because, the last time I tasted it as an adult, the flavor…ah…left much to be desired, to put it in the least offensive terms. Looking back, I think the primary reason I loved this cereal so much came from the TV commercials, starring Lucky the Leprechaun. The advertisements for this children’s breakfast staple have a long and interesting history behind them on their own terms, but the basic formula has always remained the same: Lucky is an eccentric little leprechaun, whose greatest treasure is not a crock of gold, but instead a bowl full of Lucky Charms. In the universe of the commercials, the marshmallows in the cereal actually give him different magical abilities he can use to his advantage, as he tricks and escapes his ever-persistent pursuers, who yearn to steal his delicious(?) frosted oats. Unlike many leprechauns in fables and folklore, Lucky - while occasionally and suitably mischievous - isn’t a malicious character in any way; if anything, he’s just trying to escape from those darn kids that never leave him alone! He’s friendly, playful, and sometimes can even be a hero…as far as the thirty-second-to-a-minute-long commercials he’s in will allow, anyway. It’s no surprise this cereal was and remains so popular; the idea of the great chase is an indelible concept, the magic and whimsy of the visuals and storytelling always allow for creative fun, and the charm of a leprechaun character was certainly a lucky break for advertisers. (pauses) Yeah, that was a bit forced, I’m sorry. Bottom line, it’s telling that, even to this day, if you say “leprechaun,” more people will say something about Lucky Charms than arguably anything else.
1. Darby O’Gill and the Little People.
I have a theory that every person, particularly Disney fans, has that one live-action Disney movie that they love which most other people seem to forget about. For me, that movie is “Darby O’Gill and the Little People.” The film focuses on the many misadventures of an old Irish storyteller, the titular Darby O’Gill. The grand old timer is a sort of “frienemy” to the King of the Leprechauns himself, Brian Connors. When Darby is in danger of losing his job, King Brian decides to help…by kidnapping Darby and forcing him to stay forever in his underground palace. (It’s the thought that counts, I guess.) Darby soon turns the tables on the King, though, and instead ends up kidnapping HIM, and refuses to let him go back to his kingdom until Brian grants him three wishes. (Keep your Aladdin jokes to yourself, please.) Top it off with Darby’s daughter falling in love with a young farmhand (played by Sean Connery, of all people), hijinks with the town bully, and the creepy appearances of a mysterious Banshee, and it’s wily shenanigans all around. The film is totally over-the-top, and absolutely plays up to Irish stereotypes more than anything else, but that’s honestly part of the fun: it’s got a campy sense of humor about itself, but it also has a lot of real magic, heart, and even a sense of prevailing danger. It feels like an old Irish fairy legend brought to life, which is fitting since the Disney team actually took inspiration from a bunch of old Irish fairy legends in crafting the script. There’s even an episode of the old Disneyland TV show, which acts as a sort of “mockumentary,” showing Walt meeting Darby and the Little People and learning all the folklore about Brian and his fellow imps. (That’s pretty cool, too, by the way; check it out if you can find it.) The film is probably most well-known for its special effects, most of which are still REALLY impressive, even to this day; heck, even if you know how they were done, you still find it hard to see through them or believe they could work the way they do in the final product. If you haven’t seen this film, I do highly recommend it…BUT, a word of caution: do NOT watch the version on Disney+. For some baffling reason, the Disney+ version redubs some of the actors and has a few minor edits, which really don’t do the movie any favors. If you want to watch this film, buy the DVD, or see if you can find a better copy elsewhere online. You won’t regret it; I certainly never have. I watch this film (and the Disneyland episode accompanying it) every St. Patrick’s Day, and that’s a tradition I never plan to cease. When I think of leprechauns, Irish myths, and all the trappings that come with those things, this film is the first thing that comes to mind. For these reasons above all else, King Brian and his friends in this movie take top marks on this list.
HONORABLE MENTIONS INCLUDE…
The Wee Men/Leprechaun’s Gold. (Two cartoons by Noveltoon that are based on classic leprechaun myths.)
Rupert and the Leprechauns. (An episode of the UK animated series “Rupert;” quite cute.)
Jack the Giant Killer. (This movie features a leprechaun called “Imp” as a major character. You can thank Rifftrax for my knowledge of this one. XD )
Leprechaun (1993). (I actually am not a big fan of this movie, or the series it spawned, but it felt physically wrong not to acknowledge Warwick Davis here.)
The Rauhnächte is the time between the years when old memories carry out traditions from pagan times in Germany. Before you brush it off or think to yourself, “Modern people can’t possibly still believe any of that stuff,” I think you may be surprised at how many traditions we follow. Certainly, not many people expect to see Woden leading a Wild Hunt across the heavens, but families across Germany (and the world) engage in fortune telling and loud fireworks. This time between Christmas and the Epiphany crackled with magic.
It takes 365 days for the Earth to go around the Sun, but the Lunar Calendar, measuring the time it takes for the moon to wax and wane 12 times, takes only 354 days. How did people deal with those missing 11 days (and 12 nights)? By treating them as a separate entity, as an in-between time from the end of the old year to the beginning of the new one.
Those 12 days from Christmas, December 25th, until midnight, January 6th, the Epiphany, were known as the Raunächte. During these cold, dark Winter days, without electricity or central heating, staying close to the hearth meant safety. This wasn’t a time for working. Battering storms made stories of ghosts easy to believe. Rituals were created to see it all, though.
(Note—since the Christian Church didn’t officially celebrate December 25th as Christmas until 336AD and the Germanic tribes began converting to Christianity in 496AD, some older traditions say the cycle starts on December 20, St Thomas Day, the first day of Winter, the darkest day of the year, and the turning point for the light.)
So, what is Rauhnacht? The origin of the word Rauhnacht is fuzzy. Some say the root comes from “Rauch,” meaning “smoke,” since smoke and incense are important during this time. Others believe it comes from “ruch,” meaning “wild, hairy,” from the wild beasts who roam the woods and mountains. But who were these beasts? And why was incense needed to cleanse the home and barn of spirits?
The Wild Hunt of the Rauhnächte
Jacob Grimm not only collected Fairy Tales with his brother Wilhelm, but he also compiled Germanic folklore, old customs, and ancient beliefs in his 1835 work, Deutsche Mythology or German Mythology (published in English as Teutonic Mythology). According to Grimm, the Wild Hunt, or Wilde Jagd, was a spectral hunting party, a das Wütende Heer (angry army) led by Wotan. The tales of the Hunt vary depending on which corner of Germany they were collected. Sometimes, Wotan leads the group alone, but in the north, he might be accompanied by Holda (Frau Holle)… in the south, Perchta… and in the east, you might hear about Barborka (Barbara). Together, they led the spirits of those who died during the year to the afterlife.
Keep your eyes down! To see the Wilde Jagd meant certain death, but you could hear it coming in the howling of the wind and rattling of the tree branches. So, how did people protect themselves? Traditions kept people safe. Rules were created: “Stay out of a barn with doors on opposite sides at night because the hunt could sweep through and take you up!” We may smile at the quaint superstitions, but we aren’t as removed from those times as you might think.
Perchten
Rauhnächte Traditions and Superstitions
Traditional beliefs and practices still observed during the Raunächte today.
No Laundry
No laundry could be done during this time, and no Clotheslines should be left out. Why? When the Wild Hunt rides by, they might get caught up in the laundry or the line and miss their chance to go to the next world. Spirits left behind get angry and ruin the next harvest. Some believed that Frau Holle would snatch the white linens from the line and use it to sew a shroud for someone in the home.
Smoke and Incense in the Home and Barn
Burning certain herbs and resins, such as Frankincense, Myrrh, juniper, and pine, would protect the home and animals from harm. Coals and herbs would be carried from room to room in buckets or special holders, and the smoke cleansed the home. Today, we have adorable smokers who do the job for us with small cones of incense that smell of pine or frankincense.
Order and Cleanliness
Everyone knows that demons and ghosts love disorder and are comfortable in chaos. If they find it, they will happily stay. A clean and orderly home means the Wild Hunt will pass you by. Today, we still focus on a clean home for Christmas, and my mother insisted that all of our toys and dolls be cleaned and lined up neatly before Christmas Eve.
Animals Could Speak
When I was a child, my mother told me that animals could speak like humans at midnight on Christmas Eve. I waited up and watched, spying from behind the door, hoping that my dog would finally say more than “woof.” It’s good that I never heard anything. Although it is said that animals are given the power of speech during this time, any human who hears them speak would surely die. Barn animals would use their power to tell the house spirits if they were mistreated by the farmer.
Food Sacrifice
Flying across the heavens makes Woden hungry. A plate of leftovers from the Jul or Christmas dinner should be left on the doorstep for passing spirits to ensure good fruit harvest (Frau Holle is said to be particularly fond of poppy seed cakes). Much like today we leave cookies for Santa…
Spinning Wheels
The year’s spinning should have been finished by this time and woe to the young woman who left it late. Spinning wheels (and some say Milling Wheels) are to be still during this time, or Frau Perchta will come and punish you. In some stories, the Boar (a Germanic Fertility god) sets the wheel back in motion on January 6th when the New Year begins.
Pigs
Speaking of the Pig, in Germany, pigs have long been considered good luck charms. On a farm, a pig meant meat for winter. In Teutonic times, a Pig was sacrificed at the New Year to honor Freya, the goddess of love and good fortune. Today, people commonly gift each other Marzipan Pigs over the New Year.
Other Superstitions
There should be no card playing or gambling. Women and Children should not be out at night alone. Beggars should be fed and looked after. Doors and gates should be locked, and a candle should be set on the windowsill at dusk (today, we set up Schwibbogen,or hang Christmas Lights).
Fortune Telling and Divination
All of the rules and superstitions act as touchstones—ways to control or understand the inexplicable in cold, dark times. But the Rauhnächte weren’t just a time of protection, they were also a time for looking forward. The time between the years makes Divination… Fortune Telling… much easier, and there many Fortune Telling traditions!
Fireworks and Noise
The flash bang of fireworks, the crack of whips, and the banging of pots all drive spirits away. Bells are rung in the church and by people walking door to door during the Glockennächte (Bell Nights). In some villages of northern Germany, young men go door to door banging on pots to let people know they are coming, and then they collect cookies and nuts in exchange for reciting poems. Even today, some Austrian villages hold a Perchtenlauf. Perchten, people dressed in furs that look a bit like Krampus, or SchnabelPerchten, people dressed as women with ugly masks, make noise to chase the evil spirits.
Bleigiessen
Rauhnächte weren’t just a time of protection, they were also a time for looking forward. The time between the years makes Divination… Fortune Telling… much easier, and there many Fortune Telling traditions!
Lead Pouring, or Molybdomancy has been practiced for thousands of years. On New Year’s Eve, German families might sit around the table and melt lead over a small fire in a spoon, then pour the melted lead into water. The lead hardens into a shape. By determining the shape, and checking a chart, the future is revealed. Today, the Bleigiessen kits are getting harder to find because of the lead content.
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It is a treasure and a treat to welcome you all to my home and on my day, my favorite day of the year, when all is lavender and dew, reborn and restored.
@the-metatron Do I look like I'm indulging in filthy pleasures in @amagnificentobsession's basement? I'm at home with my lovely fiancée @i-dream-of-sheeny, my hard-working apprentice @angelo-chuck-wagon and my studious colleague William the Righteous @neo-of-sporin….
Sheenie is reading me a good book while William is experimenting with sulphur. Chuck …. er … Chuck???
@amagnificentobsession All our basement fun takes place here: In the cosy little chamber right next to William's lab at @snakeoil-pharmstore. (It's bigger on the inside.)
William's lab ....
Of course, we also have a bedroom upstairs...
And that's it, unless we're rolling in the @shutanic-temple-garden or making a custom coffee for @the-metatron in our special tent ……
Doc's right, mamma. You must have a different infestation. I mean, me'n William was in that bedroom at your place that one time, but I'm thinkin' maybe it was that @god-wednesday and @the-lady-metatron ?
Anya is live and ready to show you everything. Watch her strip, dance, and perform exclusive shows just for you. Interact in real-time and make your fantasies come true.
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@the-metatron Do I look like I'm indulging in filthy pleasures in @amagnificentobsession's basement? I'm at home with my lovely fiancée @i-dream-of-sheeny, my hard-working apprentice @angelo-chuck-wagon and my studious colleague William the Righteous @neo-of-sporin….
Sheenie is reading me a good book while William is experimenting with sulphur. Chuck …. er … Chuck???
@amagnificentobsession All our basement fun takes place here: In the cosy little chamber right next to William's lab at @snakeoil-pharmstore. (It's bigger on the inside.)
William's lab ....
Of course, we also have a bedroom upstairs...
And that's it, unless we're rolling in the @shutanic-temple-garden or making a custom coffee for @the-metatron in our special tent ……
Doc's right, mamma. You must have a different infestation. I mean, me'n William was in that bedroom at your place that one time, but I'm thinkin' maybe it was that @god-wednesday and @the-lady-metatron ?
Another copy of American Gods by @neil-gaiman . Originally in paperback, rebound as a hardcover book in hand dyed red sienna leather with gilded pages edges and gold vinyl decoration depicting Shadow Moon standing beneath the tree Yggdrasil.
A year ago I made my spouse read American Gods and because she has a literature degree she kept guessing plot twists which I had to neither confirm nor deny. She sent me this when she was finished, I thought you might find it funny
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I’m married to Met @the-metatron and the boys are mine as surely as if I had born them. They adopted me just as quickly as I adopted them.
@angelo-rib-shack Angelo, came into my life at a later age, after being adopted by Met, even though later we found out that he’s really his biological.
@angelo-chuck-wagon Chuck. My sweet, horse riding, western child. I reared him in Lockhart, Tx (BBQ Capitol) 😉 in the 1800’s. He then came into this current timeline. There was a bit of, well trouble, to say the least, but we’ve gotten past that.
@baby-angelo sweet little one, was born to Met. Although it was possible that his birth could cause a rift in time, all 3 were able to live together in this time with no problems.
Now to you, beautiful. Your Momma must have felt there was no other choice but to leave you. I know since she is a Metatron also. One thing I can tell you, she will not desert you. @the-lady-metatron
I am always here for you, come to me anytime you wish. I hope that helps explain.
I see you are currently under the care of @god-wednesday I cannot find fault with how he cared for @trans-darbie so I’m going to believe he will care for you the same. He is a merciless flirt, and very sexy.
Actually I don't think Neil Gaiman gets due appreciation for taking a trip to USA, going "Yup, I know exactly what Odin and Loki would be up to here", and being 100% correct.
Believe in me @god-wednesday - Tumblr Blog | Tumlook
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