• Rating:
• Genre: Comedy
• Movie Type: Religious Comedy, Crime Comedy
• Themes: Whistleblowers, Vigilantes
• Director: Bruce Bilson
• Main Cast: Edward Herrmann, Barbara Harris, Susan Clark, Cloris Leachman, Karen Valentine, Michael Constantine
• Release Year: 1979
• Country: US
• Run Time: 105 minutes
• MPAA Rating: G

Plot

One of the bigger non-cartoon moneymakers for Disney in the 1970s, The North Avenue Irregulars is predicated on the premise of the "Neighborhood Watch" system. Priest Michael Hill (Edward Herrmann), newly arrived on North Avenue, decides to buck the patriarchal notions of his superiors by delegating church responsibilities to the neighborhood women. Since the ladies include Vickie, Jane, Anne, Claire and Rose (Barbara Harris, Karen Valentine, Susan Clark, Cloris Leachman and Patsy Kelly), we're well primed for a surfeit of feistiness. Father Michael entrusts the church funds to Rose, who loses it all at the race track. In trying to retrieve the cash, he comes up against an influential bookie ring, controlled by several of the above-suspicion town officials. The wily priest responds by organizing the ladies of his congregation into the North Avenue Irregulars, a two-fisted crimefighting unit. There's slapstick aplenty within the film's 99 minutes, including the expected comic car crash. North Avenue Irregulars is based on a (drawn-from-life?) novel by the Reverend Albert Fay Hill. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Review

This lighthearted mix of slapstick and social satire isn't all it could have been but remains a likable effort. The script has a great premise but the quality of the writing is unfortunately a bit thin: The second act lacks structure and pace, ultimately devolving into a series of disconnected set pieces, and the writer never develops a single memorable villain for the heroes to battle. Despite these problems, The North Avenue Irregulars remains solid family fare thanks to skilled direction and performances. Director Bruce Bilson keeps the tone light and the pacing fast by placing an emphasis on visual humor (sight gags abound and the film is bookended with nifty slapstick set pieces). He also gives his cast plenty of room to add wit and warmth to their broad characterizations: Edward Herrmann is a delight as Reverend Hill, mixing middle-class charm and sharp comic timing to create a performance that conjures up memories of Jack Lemmon, and Susan Clark adds a bit of dramatic weight that keeps the film from floating off into pure silliness. However, the true scene stealers are the women who assist Reverend Hill in his crusade: Barbara Harris stands out as an unflappably prim suburban mom and Cloris Leachman is both amusing and touching as the lonely old maid of the group. All in all, The North Avenue Irregulars is good family fun and one of Disney's better live-action efforts from the 1970s. ~ Donald Guarisco, All Movie Guide

Cast

• Edward Herrmann - Michael Hill
• Barbara Harris - Vickie
• Susan Clark - Anne
• Cloris Leachman - Claire
• Karen Valentine - Jane
• Michael Constantine - Marv

Patsy Kelly - Rose; Douglas Fowley - Delaney; Virginia Capers - Cleo; Steve Franken - Tom; Dena Dietrich - Mrs. Carlisle; Dick Fuchs - Howard; Herb Voland - Dr. Fulton; Alan Hale, Jr. - Harry the Hat; Melora Hardin - Carmel; Bobby Rolofson - Dean; Frank Campanella - Max; Ivor Francis - Rev. Wainwright; Marjorie Bennett - Mother Thurber; Ruth Buzzi - Dr. Rheems; Carl Ballantine; Ceil Cabot; Joan Hackett; Chuck Henry; Pitt Herbert; Darrow Igus; John Kerry; Dave Ketchum; Linda Lee Lyons; Ed McCready; Bill McLean; Gary Morgan; Louisa Moritz - Mrs. Gossin; Mickey Morton; Tom Pedi; Jack Perkins; Dennis Robertson; John Wheeler; Michael Lloyd; Cliff Osmond; Roger Creed; Dave Morick; Jack Griffin; Douglas Hume; Walt LaRue

Credit

Kevin Corcoran - Associate Producer; Bruce Bilson - Director; Gordon D. Brenner - Editor; Robert F. Brunner - Composer (Music Score); Jack T. Collis - Art Director; Jack R. Collis - Art Director; Art Cruickshank - Special Effects; Eddy Donno - Stunts; Eddy Donno - Stunts Coordinator; Joe Hale - Intertitle Writer; Joel Hirschhorn - Songwriter; Al Kasha - Songwriter; Chuck Keehne - Costume Designer; Tom Leetch - Producer; Michael Lloyd - Music Producer; Eustace Lycett - Special Effects; Louis Mann - Production Designer; John Mansbridge - Art Director; Ron Miller - Producer; Norman Rockett - Set Designer; Leonard J. South - Cinematographer; Art Stevens - Title Design; Emily Sundby - Costume Designer; Don Tait - Screenwriter; Danny Lee - Special Effects; Christopher N. Seiter - First Assistant Director; Rev. Albert Fay Hill - Book Author; Rev. A. Mark Wallock - Book Author

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