Paul Andolina is back just in time for St. Patrick’s Day. You can also find even more movies in his website Wrestling with Film.

I can still remember catching parts of the movie Leprechaun as a kid while watching the Sci Fi channel on the play room TV. Since then it’s been a bit of tradition to watch it during the month of March. I don’t always get a chance to watch it but when I do, I always have a good time. The entire franchise is near and dear to my heart as I’ve binge watched it more times than I can remember. I thought I’d take a look at some of my favorite films from the series this week.

There is no better place to start than with the movie that started it all 1993’s Leprechaun. I imagine it’s a Saint Patrick’s day staple for a lot of fans of horror as it is shown on the SyFy channel pretty regularly during this time of year. They usually have a marathon of the entire series on or near the 17^th of March. 

Leprechaun is about a young lady, Tory, and her father, J.D. They move to a house in North Dakota for the summer not knowing that ten years prior Dan O’Grady after returning home from Ireland, rich, was met with tragedy in the same house. Dan had stolen gold from a leprechaun and the leprechaun made his way to the states to wreak havoc on O’Grady in an attempt to recover his gold. He doesn’t manage to do so though instead becoming trapped by Dan, the leprechaun has the last laugh though causing Dan to have a heart attack.

Tory and J.D. are really in for it though. The guys they have hired to paint, Nathan, his younger brother Alex, and Alex’s friend Ozzie are an interesting bunch. Ozzie, after spilling paint all over himself unleashes the leprechaun and the day takes a turn for the worst. Ozzie and Alex find the gold and J.D. is bit by the leprechaun who is hiding in a tree pretending to be a cat.  J.D. has to be taken to the hospital leaving the younger folks to fend for themselves against the evil leprechaun.

The leprechaun is played by Warwick Davis, I don’t think the franchise would be the same had anyone else got the role of the leprechaun. His makeup is as interesting as it is gruesome while his antics and playfulness bring a lot of whimsical terror to the film. The Leprechaun also happens to be one of Jennifer Aniston’s first film roles. Unfortunately, she’s not too fond of being associated with the film; it’s a shame, really, because she does a fine job in the film. I would have loved to see her in some more horror roles. The character of Ozzie is quite sympathetic as he really is more of a child than his size and age would lead you to believe. Alex although young tries to act more mature than he really is even when he seems to be scared and his brother, the older, stronger, Nathan spends most of the movie injured yet still heroic.

I also happen to love the soundtrack. Especially the little ditty that plays near the beginning that goes, “I say I need a four leaf clover, one that’s strong and won’t blow away. Won’t you be my four leaf clover?, be my lucky charm that’s here to stay.” This movie will always have a special place for me so I’m pretty biased when it comes to it. If you love creature features, practical effects, and humor than this movie will more than likely entertain you. Whether you’re just looking for something to watch this Saint Patrick’s day with your pints and whiskey or you want a unique little feature to watch all year long, Leprechaun is sure to whet your whistle.