The North Avenue Irregulars (1979)

Director:

Bruce Bilson

Writers:

Don Tait (screenplay)
Albert Fay Hill (book)

Release Date:

9 February 1979 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Comedy | Crime | Family

Tagline:

The FBI couldn't do it... the CIA couldn't do it... so they sent for... Hill's Angels.

Plot:

When crooks set up operations in a traditional town, a minister and a group of church ladies are willing to do anything...

Plot Keywords:

Elderly | Neighborhood | Neighborhood Watch | Neighbor | Gang

Cast

Edward Herrmann	...	Michael Hill
Barbara Harris	...	Vickie
Susan Clark	...	Anne
Karen Valentine	...	Jane
Michael Constantine	...	Marv
Cloris Leachman	...	Claire
Patsy Kelly	...	Rose
Douglas Fowley	...	Delaney (as Douglas V. Fowley)
Virginia Capers	...	Cleo
Steve Franken	...	Tom
Dena Dietrich	...	Mrs. Carlisle
Dick Fuchs	...	Howard
Herb Voland	...	Dr. Fulton
Alan Hale Jr.	...	Harry, the Hat (as Alan Hale)
Melora Hardin	...	Carmel

Also Known As:

Hill's Angels (UK)

Runtime:

100 min | Germany:95 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Photophone Sound Recording)

Certification:

Iceland:L | Canada:G (video rating) | USA:G

Filming Locations:

Burbank, California, USA

Company:

Walt Disney Productions

Trivia:

In the scene where the church is blown up, the movie's crew didn't realize until after the destruction (in one take, of course) that there was no film in the camera. The church had to be rebuilt and blown up again. As of a few years ago, it still sits on a lot at Buena Vista studios.

Quotes:

Sam the Tailor: Hold it! Your pants.
Rev. Michael Hill: What?
Sam the Tailor: [points to a sign behind him and reads it out] "Pants Pressed While 'U Wait." That's part of my deal with Harry.
Rev. Michael Hill: But all I want to do is talk to him.
Sam the Tailor: No exceptions.

Movie Connections:

References Serpico (1973)

Fun for the family!

This is one Disney film I liked very well. When I was in New York, I remembered the trailer, straight out. I liked the way the characters were played. And the action was violent, especially the crash scenes, it was not bad. Cloris Leachman did very well in her role as Claire Porter. She was a total riot throughout the movie. All the irregulars had to take action against the crooks was a wing and a prayer. And a thumbs up for each other. Armed with walkie talkies, the odds were in their favor. The one scene I didn't like is when the church caught fire. Ealier I liked the chase scene between the van and the car. The van took one jump and the car did a pop-wheelie. Then I liked where the other group mistook the railroad tracks for a short cut. Then there's the fight scene between the irregulars, and the robbers. Clarie was on the edge when the bad guys messed up her manicure. Is that a little overdoing it? Not by Claire! The "bumpercar" scene was nonstop. The irregulars maybe church-goers, but with the help of some local rock band, the congregation is uplifting. This movie was a lot of fun, I enjoyed very well. Rating 4 out of 5 stars!