The Luck of the Irish (2001 film)

Last updated
The Luck of the Irish
Disney - The Luck of the Irish.jpg
Promotional poster
Teleplay byAndrew Price
Mark Edward Edens
Story byAndrew Price
Directed by Paul Hoen
Starring Ryan Merriman
Alexis Lopez
Timothy Omundson
Henry Gibson
Music byChristopher Brady
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Producer Don Schain
CinematographyRobert Steadman
EditorJim Oliver
Running time86 minutes [1]
Production companyJust Singer Entertainment
Original release
ReleaseMarch 9, 2001 (2001-03-09)

The Luck of the Irish is a 2001 American sports comedy-drama film released as a Disney Channel Original Movie. [2] [3] The film, starring Ryan Merriman, Alexis Lopez, Timothy Omundson, and Henry Gibson, [4] contains elements of fantasy and sports film combined with Irish culture. [5] Conceived as a Saint Patrick's Day film, it was first broadcast on Disney Channel on March 9, 2001.

Contents

Plot

With his lucky gold coin on his side, 15-year-old Kyle Johnson gets everything in life, and is also the best basketball player on his team. Heritage Day is approaching and every time Kyle asks where his family came from, his parents, Kate and Bob, change the subject. He finds out that his dad changed his last name, but doesn't know why. One day, Kyle and his best friend, Russell Halloway, go to an Irish festival. There he sees coins just like his and wonders if he's Irish. When Kyle can't stop step dancing during Seamus McTieran and the Saint of the Step's show, he gets knocked down.

The next morning, Kyle wakes up and notices something is different about him. At breakfast, his mother is acting differently, and she confesses to him that they are Irish. On his way to school, his day of bad luck starts to begin. The next day, Kyle notices more changes; he's shorter, and his hair is turning red. In science class, a magnet attaches to his coin, and he realizes that his lucky gold coin was stolen. He rushes home to tell his parents and walks in to see that his mother has shrunk to one foot tall. She reveals to him that she is really a leprechaun and that he is one too. He tells them who he thinks stole it, and his mom says that was his grandfather, Reilly O'Reilly, founder of the Emerald Isle potato chip company. Kate and her father had a falling out over her having a "mixed marriage". They all go to the factory to ask for the coin back. After being kicked out by security, Kyle sneaks in with the Young Achievers group from school. A girl from school, Bonnie Lopez, asks why he is there, and he tells her. They get chased by security and end up getting caught by his grandfather. Reilly tells him that he didn't steal it and that it is their family's lucky coin. The youngest must have possession of it so all the leprechauns in the O'Reilly clan can pass as humans. Bonnie tells Kyle that his ears have changed, and are now pointy. Reilly starts to grow a beard.

They figure out that Seamus must have stolen the coin at the fair, so they go chase him down. Kyle's grandfather tells him that Seamus is an evil leprechaun. On their way, they come across Russell, who joins them. After Seamus and his gang get away, they track down their camper at the end of a rainbow. While they are distracted eating dinner, Kyle and Reilly sneak into the camper and find the coin. Sensing what's going on, Seamus captures Reilly and will only let him go if Kyle gives him the coin. Kyle wagers a bet to keep both. He bets on sports. The three of them, plus Russell and Seamus' friends, magically end up in Ireland. Kyle and Russell have to compete against them in Gaelic sports. They end up tying, but Seamus refuses to set Reilly free. Kyle risks his freedom and bets on Seamus in basketball without using his lucky coin. They are then transported to the junior high state championship game. Only Kyle, his family, and his friends are aware that they are playing against Seamus and his friends. Russell scores the game winning shot, Reilly is set free, and Seamus has to spend eternity at the land of Kyle's father (within the shores of Lake Erie). Kyle realizes that he doesn't need luck.

The movie ends at the school talent show with Kyle embracing his heritage by Irish dancing and singing "This Land is Your Land" with Bonnie.

Cast

Production

Parts of the movie were filmed at Lagoon in Farmington, Utah. [6]

Reception

The Luck of the Irish has been called the "strangest Disney Channel original movie ever". [7] It was a relative television success [8] The film received a very mixed retrospective review at the sports website SB Nation. [9]

Release

It was first broadcast on Disney Channel on March 9, 2001, [10] a week before Saint Patrick's Day. [11] [12]

Remake

In 2012, The Luck of the Irish was remade into an Indian Hindi-language television film, Luck Luck Ki Baat, directed by Iqbal Khan, featuring Satyajeet Dubey and Mahesh Thakur in the lead roles. [13]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leprechaun</span> Irish legendary creature

A leprechaun is a diminutive supernatural being in Irish folklore, classed by some as a type of solitary fairy. They are usually depicted as little bearded men, wearing a coat and hat, who partake in mischief. In later times, they have been depicted as shoe-makers who have a hidden pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

<i>Darby OGill and the Little People</i> 1959 film by Robert Stevenson

Darby O'Gill and the Little People is a 1959 American fantasy adventure film produced by Walt Disney Productions, adapted from the Darby O'Gill stories of Herminie Templeton Kavanagh. Directed by Robert Stevenson and written by Lawrence Edward Watkin, the film stars Albert Sharpe as O'Gill alongside Janet Munro, Sean Connery, and Jimmy O'Dea. It was released on Walt Disney Home Video via video cassette in October 1981.

<i>Leprechaun</i> (film) 1993 American horror film

Leprechaun is a 1993 American comedy horror film written and directed by Mark Jones, and starring Warwick Davis in the title role, with Jennifer Aniston supporting. Davis plays a vengeful leprechaun who believes a family has stolen his pot of gold. As he hunts them, they attempt to locate his gold to mollify him.

<i>Leprechaun 3</i> 1995 American film

Leprechaun 3 is a 1995 American horror-fantasy comedy film and the third, and first direct-to-video installment, in the Leprechaun series. The film follows the psychotic leprechaun Lubdan, who begins a killing spree in Las Vegas.

<i>Susie Q</i> (film) 1996 fantasy-comedy television film by John Blizek

Susie Q is a 1996 fantasy-comedy television film directed by John Blizek and starring Justin Whalin, Amy Jo Johnson and Shelley Long. It originally aired on Super RTL in Germany, followed by Disney Channel's airing of it in the United States on October 3, 1996, as a Disney Channel Premiere Film. The film tells the story of a young woman dying with her beau on her way to their Winter Formal back in the mid-1950s and coming back to her old house 40 years later in order to help her parents avoid being kicked out of their trailer park home. Later, Zach (Whalin) moves into Susie's (Johnson) old house, but he is the only one who is able to see Susie.

<i>Jump In!</i> 2007 television film directed by Paul Hoen

Jump In! is a 2007 sports drama film released as a Disney Channel Original Movie, which premiered on January 12, 2007. It was released on Disney Channel UK on April 27, 2007. The film, starring Corbin Bleu and Keke Palmer, revolves around a young boxer, Izzy Daniels (Bleu), who trains to follow in his father's footsteps by winning the Golden Glove. When his friend, Mary (Palmer), asks him to substitute for a team member in a Double Dutch tournament, Izzy discovers his new love for the sport. At the same time, he discovers true love in Mary and he deals with the conflict between him and his father about boxing. Filming took place from June–July 2006 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

<i>Getting Lucky</i> 1990 film by Michael Paul Girard

Getting Lucky is a 1990 American fantasy-comedy film directed and written by Michael Paul Girard.

<i>The Wearing of the Grin</i> 1951 animated comedy film by Chuck Jones

The Wearing of the Grin is a 1951 Warner Bros. Looney Tunes cartoon directed by Chuck Jones and written by Michael Maltese. The short was released on July 14, 1951, and stars Porky Pig.

<i>Leprechaun 2</i> 1994 film by Rodman Flender

Leprechaun 2 is a 1994 American fantasy comedy horror film directed by Rodman Flender and written by Turi Meyer and Al Septien. The sequel to Mark Jones' Leprechaun (1993) and the second entry in the Leprechaun series, the plot centers on the psychopathic leprechaun Lubdan as he hunts for a bride and for his gold.

Genevieve O'Reilly is an Irish-born Australian actress. She is known for her work in the Star Wars franchise as young Mon Mothma, having portrayed the character in Revenge of the Sith, Rogue One, and the Disney+ series Andor and Ahsoka. She is also known for her career in films, with credits including the 2004 film Avatar, the 2009 period drama The Young Victoria, and the 2010 romantic movie Forget Me Not. In 2016, O'Reilly appeared in the role of Tarzan's mother in The Legend of Tarzan.

"Imaginationland Episode I" is the tenth episode of the eleventh season and the 163rd overall episode of the American animated television series South Park. It premiered on Comedy Central in the United States on October 17, 2007. The episode was rated TV-MA LV in the United States. It is the first episode in a three-part story arc that won the 2008 Emmy for "Outstanding Animated Program ". The three episodes were later reissued together, along with previously unreleased footage, as the uncensored Imaginationland: The Movie.

<i>Leprechaun</i> (film series) American horror comedy film series

Leprechaun is an American horror comedy film series consisting of eight films. Beginning with Leprechaun (1993), the series centers on a malevolent and murderous leprechaun named Lubdan who, when his gold is taken from him, resorts to any means necessary to reclaim it. None of the films in the series are presented in chronological order. Warwick Davis plays the title role in every film except for the 2014 film Leprechaun: Origins, and the 2018 film Leprechaun Returns, in which the character is respectively portrayed by Dylan Postl and Linden Porco. On St. Patrick's Day, all Leprechaun films are played on Syfy.

<i>Good Luck Charlie</i> American sitcom

Good Luck Charlie is an American sitcom that aired on Disney Channel from April 4, 2010, to February 16, 2014. The series' creators, Phil Baker and Drew Vaupen, wanted to create a program that would appeal to entire families, not just children. It focuses on the Duncan family of Denver as they adjust to the births of their fourth and fifth children, Charlotte "Charlie" and Toby. In each episode, Teddy Duncan adds to a video diary that contains advice for Charlie about their family and life as a teenager. Teddy tries to show Charlie what she might go through when she is older for future reference. Each video diary ends with Teddy saying the eponymous phrase, "Good luck, Charlie".

<i>Leprechaun: Origins</i> 2014 American film

Leprechaun: Origins is a 2014 American horror film directed by Zach Lipovsky, written by Harris Wilkinson and starring Dylan Postl, with Melissa Roxburgh, Garry Chalk, and Brendan Fletcher co-starring in the film. It is a reboot of Leprechaun and the seventh installment in the Leprechaun franchise. WWE Studios President Michael Luisi has described the film as "a little darker, a little more traditional horror than the Warwick Davis ones that people remember".

Luck Luck Ki Baat is an Indian television film on Disney Channel India. It is a remake of the Disney Channel original movie The Luck of the Irish.

<i>Cloud 9</i> (2014 film) 2014 American TV series or program

Cloud 9 is a 2014 American romantic sports drama television film directed by Paul Hoen and written by Justin Ware. It stars Dove Cameron, Luke Benward, Kiersey Clemons and Mike C. Manning. The film is set in the world of competitive snowboarding. The first promo aired on November 29, 2013 during the premiere of "Good Luck Jessie: NYC Christmas". The film premiered on January 17, 2014 as a Disney Channel Original Movie.

A Very Unlucky Leprechaun is a 1998 children's fantasy film starring Warwick Davis and directed by Brian Kelly in his feature film directorial debut. It was produced by Roger Corman, and written by Craig J. Nevius. The film debuted at the 1998 Galway Film Festival. The film was released on direct-to-video in the United States on August 18, 1998.

<i>Luck</i> (2022 film) 2022 film by Peggy Holmes

Luck is a 2022 animated fantasy comedy film directed by Peggy Holmes and co-directed by Javier Abad, from a screenplay written by Kiel Murray, and a story conceived by Murray and the writing team of Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger, based on an original concept created by Rebeca Carrasco, Juan De Dios, and Julián Romero. Produced by Skydance Animation, the film features the voices of Eva Noblezada, Simon Pegg, Jane Fonda, Whoopi Goldberg, Flula Borg, Lil Rel Howery, Colin O'Donoghue, and John Ratzenberger. Set in the Land of Luck, the story follows the unluckiest person, Sam Greenfield (Noblezada), as she must unite with a talking black cat named Bob (Pegg) to turn her luck around.

<i>Crater</i> (film) 2023 film by Kyle Patrick Alvarez

Crater is a 2023 American science fiction adventure film directed by Kyle Patrick Alvarez and written by John Griffin. It stars Isaiah Russell-Bailey, Mckenna Grace, Billy Barratt, Orson Hong, Thomas Boyce, and Scott Mescudi. Crater was released on Disney+ on May 12, 2023, but was removed from the service on June 30, 2023. It was later re-released digitally on September 26, 2023. It generally received positive reviews from critics.

References

  1. "Watch the Luck of the Irish | Disney+".
  2. Bronner, Simon J. (2015-03-04). Encyclopedia of American Folklife. Routledge. ISBN   978-1-317-47194-3.
  3. Wright, Spencer (2023-06-30). Enchanted Disney: Stories of Walt, Hollywood, and Live-Action Film. BearManor Media.
  4. "The Luck of the Irish Cast: Where Are They Now This St. Patrick's Day?". E! Online. 2019-03-17. Retrieved 2023-12-11.
  5. Milo, Mr (2023-03-17). "Luck Of The Irish. Disney's Forgotten St. Patrick's Day Movie". Pirates & Princesses. Retrieved 2023-12-11.
  6. "Luck of the Irish (television)". D23. Retrieved 2023-12-11.
  7. Gorman, Cameron (2023-03-17). "Happy St. Patrick's Day to the Strangest Disney Channel Original Movie Ever". Collider. Retrieved 2023-12-11.
  8. McNamara, Donald (2009-10-02). Which Direction Ireland? Proceedings of the 2006 ACIS Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference. Cambridge Scholars Publishing. ISBN   978-1-4438-1490-4.
  9. Jr, Harry Lyles (2020-01-16). "The Disney Channel Original movie 'The Luck of the Irish', reviewed". SBNation.com. Retrieved 2023-12-11.
  10. "The Luck of the Irish – Retro Review" . Retrieved 2023-12-11.
  11. "Review: Disney Channel's Original Movie "The Luck of the Irish"". The Herald. Retrieved 2023-12-11.
  12. "18 Things I Noticed Rewatching 'The Luck Of The Irish'". Bustle. 2016-10-02. Retrieved 2023-12-11.
  13. "Luck Luck Ki Baat" (PDF). Disney India. Retrieved 13 April 2021.