“What’s gold to a man if he be too sick or too sad to enjoy it?” – Darby O’Gill played by Albert Sharpe
Ah if only more folks felt this way. But I suppose the great stain of our current civilization is the collectively addictive tendency to work towards accumulating wealth over health and prestige over happiness. Too Disney in sentiment perhaps? You’re not wrong.
Lately, I’ve started watching “The Crown” on Netflix, inspired by the life of Queen Elizabeth II. I have to admit, I never really cared much about the royal family, even though I grew up amidst the Lady Di → Princess Diana infatuation. I recall in particular, the comedic jabs from Christine Sullivan’s (played by Markie Post) devotion to Lady Di in Night Court. (1984-1992)
More than likely, this is why I recently started craving a more down-to-Irish-earth nostalgic piece that I loved as a child. Plus, it occurred to me that with the passing of Sir Sean Connery last Halloween, there are no longer any living actors and production members from this long-standing favorite film of mine, “Darby O’Gill and the Little People.” (1959) I’m part Irish, by the way. And for much of my childhood, I preferred to imagine that tiny fraction of Irish genetics from my mother’s family (an over-imagined stalwart within a mix of other ingredients, including a bit o’ French and a good dash of Native-Canadian) to be much grander than it actually is. I recall an embarrassing moment from my middle school days. The class assignment had been to select a celebrity who has the same background as ourselves and write a small essay on that background. As a minority in a small town school, I was basically the only person of color. The assignment felt a bit jarring. Being a child of mixed descent, I decided to write about my Irish background. And then because I was a bit dumb, I chose to write about Sean Connery. Like I said, dumb, but you know, I was a child heavily influenced by cinema and yes, Disney. Connery’s performance as Michael MacBride was the foundation of my flimsy case that he was clearly Irish (ya’ know, and not Scottish.) The teacher, Mr. V., was super kind to not point it out to me at the time and just sort of let me go with it. We all have our phases.
Not all films quite stand the many varied tests of time, but dare I say magic realism can always look back on Darby O’Gill with a nod of affection? I loved so much about this flick. It will always be a classic in my heart. I have a few silly, yet not necessarily absurd theories about myself because of it. Bear with me.
1- Even though I was born in the lucky year of the horse, there is a strong chance I never ever had the familiar childhood obsession with wanting to own a pony due to a certain distaste for the swarthy nemesis of this film, Pony Sugrue. His character is a dreadful bully and he even steals a shot of liquor from the town pub when he thinks no one is looking. (What a jerk.) Plus, his widowed mother is just downright creepy. (sorry Estelle)
2- I’ve always wished I had reddish auburn hair and green eyes for as long as I can remember. Just like the lovely (& sadly tragic*) Janet Munro, aka, Katie O’Gill in the film. So yes, I did eventually buy a red haired wig (although it ended up being magenta even though that wasn’t quite what I was going after) and green contact lenses at different points in my life. And also, yes, I completely realize what this says about my misguided white washing desires from youth.
*Tragic because Janet only lived to 38 years, a victim of heart disease.
“Me second wish is a small wish indeed, for it means a lot to me. I want a big crock of potatoes.” – Darby O’Gill
3- I love potatoes, pretty much in every prepared form, from Curly fries to Dauphine to good old soup and stew filler.
Ok, those were a little absurd. I’ll pivot.
The storytelling of Darby O’Gill to this day holds itself golden. I’ve always had a penchant for mythologies and old stories of such. Pretty sure this movie contributed greatly to the stirring of my soul in curiosity of old celtic myths and wicked creatures like Banshees and Pookas.
Incidentally, throughout the entire reel, it occurs to me now, that no one aside from our title character ever actually witnesses the existence of leprechauns and other darker storied phenomena including the trio above. Darby’s imagination and keen storytelling nuance makes him a village favorite. But is it all in his head? When given a chance to view the Leprechaun king in his sack, Michael and the townsfolk only ever see a rabbit. We assume Katie had a run in with the same Pooka scheming horse from before, and yet we never witness this on screen. And perhaps the grandest query of all, especially with regard to the end of the film, is that of the shadowy Death Coach.
*SPOILER ALERT since I suppose not everyone has seen the film 20-30 times like myself.*
Darby, in a beautifully tragic climax, demands of King Brian of the Leprechauns to let his 3rd wish be one of self sacrifice. He insists on taking his daughter’s place in the fast approaching Death Coach. Soon afterward, Brian masterfully tricks Darby into making a 4th wish which, in regards to the rules of the film, negates all his previous wishes.
“Three wishes I’ll grant ye, great wishes an’ small! But you wish a fourth and you’ll lose them all!” – King Brian
Darby’s life is suddenly spared and he is quickly shot out of the carriage without having even a second to accept his new freedom. But what happens to the King? Just how much magic does he wield with the dark powers of the underworld being so grand? Did he take Darby’s place and die? The trickery is just so full circle perfect. The film proceeds with no true acknowledgment of this possibly secondary sacrificial move and yet, I am uncertain. After all, there are no other on screen interactions with our mythical friends to follow.
“Ah, it’s better for the old to die than the young. In the end, we all have to go.” – Darby O’Gill to King Brian (who happens to be 5,000 years old, by the way)
Think on that one, BUT ALSO, allow me to wax poetic in honor of some of the secondary characters. While they don’t get a whole lot of screen time, they have some pretty inspired performances.
1- I’ve already mentioned the Widow Sugrue, Sheelah, mother of Pony. Her misguided manipulations portrayed with a mildly witchy overbearing soul are all the more forceful with her chilly steely blue gaze. With her cracked words to her son like gentle poison, she could be a long lost opposite of fairy godmother to so many cinematic dark mothers from Carrie’s mom to Cersei Lannister. She basically gives a bad name to all the old biddies lurking about minding their own kind business.
2- Father Murphy is a total hustler. His first entry into the story is a strong one. He enters the main amphitheater of the film, the local watering hole, “The Rathcullen Arms” and proceeds to guilt Darby on a physical errand with the payment of only “The song of the bells.” He lays it on real thick, having just previously heard Darby banter about fooling the church with a gift of leprechaun gold, (the dark spirits association making the entire gesture quite unholy.)
3- Tom Kerrigan the Bartender-Owner is all heart but Molly Malloy is the only one on screen pouring drinks and behind the actual bar. She wins a scene for me early on with one particular pro-move. Pony tries to order another whiskey and Tommy tells him he is cut off but can stay if he sticks to a stout. At first, Pony is indignant but eventually caves. The moment he does, Molly hands him a ready poured Guinness as if she knew all along…because well, she does.
4- Ginger the cat is masterful when he/she is sic’d on King Brian at the will of Darby. The leprechaun king is quelled into acquiescence at the lustful furry, err, I mean fury of Ginger and I will always appreciate that cinematic moment. Not quite as strong a performance as the cat in Captain Marvel, but you know, certainly up there.
