The North Avenue Irregulars (1979)

User Rating:

6.2/10   

Director:

Bruce Bilson

Writers:

Albert Fay Hill (book)
Don Tait (writer)

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:

Based On Book | Kids And Family

Cast

Edward Herrmann	...	Rev. Michael 'Mike' Hill
Barbara Harris	...	Mrs. Vickie Sims / Kiddie Car, Irregular
Susan Clark	...	Anne Woods, Church Secretary / Rookie, Irregular
Karen Valentine	...	Jane / June Bride, Irregular
Michael Constantine	...	Marvin Fogleman, T-Man / Home Plate
Cloris Leachman	...	Claire Porter / Phantom Fox, Irregular
Patsy Kelly	...	Mrs. Rose Rafferty / Blarney Stone, Irregular
Douglas Fowley	...	Mr. Delaney Rafferty / Blarney Stone, Disguised Irregular (as Douglas V. Fowley)
Virginia Capers	...	Cleo Jackson / Clunker, Irregular
Steve Franken	...	Tom Voohries, T-Man
Dena Dietrich	...	Mother Carlisle
Dick Fuchs	...	Howard Carlisle
Herb Voland	...	Dr. Victor Fulton
Alan Hale Jr.	...	Harry the Hat (as Alan Hale)
Melora Hardin	...	Carmel Hill (Rev. Hill's Daughter)

Also Known As:

Hill's Angels (UK)

Runtime:

Germany:95 min | USA:99 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:L | USA:G

Filming Locations:

Burbank, California, USA

Company:

Walt Disney Productions

Trivia:

The final film for veteran character actors Patsy Kelly and Douglas Fowley.

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:

Featured in The Walt Disney Comedy and Magic Revue (1985) (V)

"North Avenue" ....Still An Avenue Worth Visiting!

Not long before Disney faded out for a time in the early 80s,they made a few good "family films". This certainly is one of them. The plot (which was not over my head even at 10) is simple. The town Reverend recruits the neighborhood ladies to try and uncover illeagal gambling going on in their area.

The ladies are hilarious as they try to keep their cool while (I'm, guessing) trying to be like crime solvers they've seen on TV. One car chase happens when one of them has just come from the grocery store with her kids. Nothing stranger or funnier than an action car chase w/ a station wagon! It's like being pursued by The Bradys! Another scene,one of them is asked to describe a car making a getaway and she says,"It's green". "Maybe olive green or avacado green etc. & so on!

It was great to see the late Alan Hale Jr. in the film too,playing something besides "Skipper". I may be 27 years older but none of it seems dated to me. If it feels so to others,I can only assume they've lost their inner child somewhere. For families and even those who look back fondly on being a kid....enjoy! ...and check your "21st century mind" at the door! (END)