Charley and the Angel facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Charley and the Angel
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Vincent McEveety
Produced by	Bill Anderson
Written by	Will Stanton (book author) Roswell Rogers (film writer)
Starring	Fred MacMurray Cloris Leachman Harry Morgan Kurt Russell
Music by	Paul J. Smith Buddy Baker
Cinematography	Charles F. Wheeler
Editing by	Bob Bring Ray de Leuw
Studio	Walt Disney Productions
Distributed by	Buena Vista Distribution
Release date(s)	March 23, 1973 (1973-03-23)
Running time	93 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English

Charley and the Angel is a 1973 Disney family comedy film. It takes place in a small city in the 1930s. This was during the Great Depression, a time when many people faced financial hardship. The movie stars Fred MacMurray in one of his last film roles. It was directed by Vincent McEveety and is based on a book called The Golden Evenings of Summer.

Story of Charley and the Angel

Charley Appleby owns a hardware store. He is very careful with his money and works hard. This helps his family avoid poverty during the Great Depression. However, his focus on work makes his family feel distant. His wife, Nettie (Cloris Leachman), and their children wish he would spend more time with them. They especially want to visit the Chicago World's Fair.

His sons, Willie and Rupert, find jobs at a junkyard. They don't know that the owner, Felix, is involved with people who secretly transport forbidden goods. Meanwhile, Charley's teenage daughter, Leonora (Kathleen Cody), plans to run away with a young man named Ray (Kurt Russell). Ray doesn't seem very trustworthy.

The Angel's Visit

One day, Charley gets a visit from a scruffy-looking angel (Harry Morgan). Only Charley can see this angel. The angel tells Charley that his time on Earth is almost up. This news makes Charley want to change his life. He decides to become more religious and fix his relationships with his family. He also plans to sell his business. Charley wants to be the best father and husband he can be before he dies. The angel, whose name is Roy Zerney, appears throughout the movie. Sometimes he helps Charley, and sometimes he causes a little trouble.

Charley's Challenges

At first, Charley finds it hard to change things. His family doesn't understand his sudden new behavior. They think his decision to sell the store is very strange. When Charley talks to the angel, who only he can see, he seems a bit crazy to others.

Charley tries to take money from his bank account. But the banker, Ernie (Edward Andrews), tells him the bank might close. Charley also has to lend money to his future son-in-law, Ray, and his friend Pete (George Lindsey). Money becomes very tight for Charley.

An Unexpected Hero

Charley's sons start using an old car. They don't realize they are unknowingly delivering illegal items for Felix. Suddenly, some criminals from Chicago force the boys to drive them away. Charley chases after them in the criminals' abandoned car. He avoids gunfire, but the police think he's the criminal and arrest him. While he's detained, Roy the angel tells Charley that this might be his last day. But Charley is still only thinking about his sons.

Later that evening, Leonora and Ray return home. The criminals have taken over Charley's house and plan to take his wife hostage. Charley bravely stands up to them. He defends his wife and children with his own life. With help from Ray and Pete, Charley defeats the criminals. They are then handed over to the police. During the fight, Charley was in danger but miraculously wasn't hurt.

A Happy Ending

For catching the criminals, Charley receives a $5000 reward from the Chicago police. Ernie, the banker, honors Charley as a town hero. He gives Charley tickets and a hotel reservation for the World's Fair. Ernie also shares good news: the bank is safe and will reopen. Pete also returns to repay his debt to Charley.

Charley is happy with how things turned out on what he thought was his last day. He says goodbye to his family, still expecting to die. But Roy the angel appears again. He tells Charley that a last-minute decision in Heaven means Charley will live! Roy explains that he stopped the danger from hurting Charley. Now Charley will live on with a new, positive outlook on life.

Cast