The North Avenue Irregulars facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The North Avenue Irregulars |
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Theatrical release poster
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| Directed by | Bruce Bilson |
| Produced by | Ron Miller |
| Written by | Don Tait |
| Starring | Edward Herrmann Barbara Harris Susan Clark Karen Valentine Michael Constantine Cloris Leachman Steve Franken Patsy Kelly Douglas Fowley Virginia Capers Ruth Buzzi |
| Music by | Richard Bowden Robert F. Brunner |
| Cinematography | Leonard J. South |
| Editing by | Gordon D. Brenner |
| Studio | Walt Disney Productions |
| Distributed by | Buena Vista Distribution |
| Release date(s) | February 9, 1979 |
| Running time | 100 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
The North Avenue Irregulars is a funny comedy film from 1979. It's also a crime film made by Walt Disney Productions. The movie stars Edward Herrmann, Barbara Harris, Karen Valentine, and Susan Clark.
The story was written by Don Tait. It was inspired by a real-life book. That book was about a minister named Rev. Albert Fay Hill. He fought against a crime group in the 1960s. In the United Kingdom, the movie was called Hill's Angels.
Contents
Story of the Movie
Reverend Michael Hill (Edward Herrmann) moves to a new town in California. He brings his two children with him. He is the new minister at the North Avenue Presbyterian Church.
The church secretary, Anne (Susan Clark), is not sure about his new ideas. Reverend Hill wants to get more people involved. He asks Mrs. Rose Rafferty (Patsy Kelly) to look after the church's special money fund. This turns out to be a big mistake. Mrs. Rafferty's husband, Delaney (Douglas Fowley), loves to gamble.
The Missing Money
On his first Sunday, Reverend Hill learns bad news. Mrs. Rafferty tells him her husband bet all the church's money on a horse race. Reverend Hill quickly finishes his sermon. He then rushes Mrs. Rafferty out of the church.
She takes him to a hidden place where people bet on races. There, he meets Harry the Hat (Alan Hale, Jr.). Harry tells Hill to let the bet stay. But Hill's horse loses all the money. Hill is then thrown out of the betting place.
Hill calls the police. But the gambling spot has been quickly moved. The police find nothing.
Fighting the Gangsters
That evening, Reverend Hill talks on local TV. He speaks out against the organized crime in the city. His church leaders are not happy about this. They tell him to focus on getting more people to join the church.
He finds a rock band called Strawberry Shortcake. He asks them to play music at church. Anne, the music director, quits because of this.
Then, two government agents arrive. They are Marvin Fogleman (Michael Constantine) and Tom Voohries (Steve Franken). They want Reverend Hill to help them stop the gambling. They ask him to find men from the church to place bets. The agents would then watch these bets.
Hill cannot find any men to help. So, he decides to use women from his church instead. Five women from his church try to place bets. But they often cause funny accidents.
New Plans and Trouble
The team changes their plan. They decide to go after the money that the gangsters use. They follow the mob's delivery drivers around town. Reverend Hill helps by looking at a map in his church office.
Later, two gangsters show up at the church during a service. They recognize the women. They tell their boss, Roca, about them. Roca tells them to scare the women.
Anne finds out about the secret operation. Reverend Hill tells her that the "Irregulars" are helping. He says they are keeping the gangsters off balance. Anne quits her job as secretary. Soon after, the gangsters attack the church, causing damage.
The Final Battle
Reverend Hill is shocked by what the gangsters did. He feels like giving up. But then, Anne surprises him. She wants to join the fight. They continue to track the gangsters' movements.
Meanwhile, Reverend Hill hears bad news. The church is going to close down. Dr. Victor Fulton (Herb Voland) comes to talk about the closing. He is a leader from the church's main group.
Anne picks up two more church leaders at the airport. On the way to the church, she sees one of the mob's delivery drivers. She realizes she might be able to find where they keep their money. She follows the driver to a hidden place.
Within minutes, all the "Irregulars" arrive and surround the place. The gangsters try to escape with their money. A wild car chase happens. The bad guys are stopped, and the money is taken.
A Happy Ending
The next Sunday, Reverend Hill's church members gather outside the damaged church. He tells them that the mob leaders have been charged with crimes. He also tells them the church will close.
But then, Dr. Fulton steps in. He announces that the North Avenue Church will not close. It will be rebuilt! The young band starts playing music again. Everyone celebrates.
Cast
- Edward Herrmann as Rev. Michael 'Mike' Hill
- Barbara Harris as Mrs. Vickie Sims / Kiddie Car
- Karen Valentine as Jane / June Bride
- Susan Clark as Anne Woods, the Church Secretary / Rookie
- Cloris Leachman as Claire Porter / Phantom Fox
- Douglas Fowley as Mr. Delaney Rafferty / Blarney Stone
- Patsy Kelly as Mrs. Rose Rafferty / Blarney Stone
- Virginia Capers as Cleo Jackson / Clunker
- Herb Voland as Dr. Fulton, the Head of the Presbyterian Executive Committee
- Ivor Francis as Rev. Wainwright
- Louisa Moritz as Mrs. Gossin
- Marjorie Bennett as Mother Thurber
- Ruth Buzzi as Dr. Rheems
- Ceil Cabot as Bench Woman
- Michael Constantine as Marv Fogleman, an Investigator of the Treasury Department
- Melora Hardin as Carmel Hill
- Bobby Rolofson as Dean Hill
- Dena Dietrich as Mrs. Carlisle
- Dick Fuchs as Howard Carlisle
- Steve Franken as Tom Voories, an Investigator of the Treasury Department
- Cliff Osmond as Big Chin
- Damon Bradley Daskin as Danny
- Linda Lee Lyons as Bette
- Carl Ballantine as Sam the Tailor
- Alan Hale, Jr. as Harry the Hat
- Frank Campanella as Max Roca, the Head of the Gambling Racket
- John Kerry as Roca's Lieutenant
- Dave Morrick as Policeman
- Darrow Igus as Mechanic
- Dennis Robertson as Truck Driver #1
- Ed McCready as Truck Driver #2
- David Ketchum as Capt. Bramford
- John Wheeler as Clothier
- David Rode as Toby
- Pitt Herbert as Mr. Thurber
- Chuck Henry as TV Announcer
- Mickey Morton as Bootsie
- Rickie Layne as Bettor
- Jack Perkins as Bouncer
- Tom Pedi as Bartender
- Bill McLean as Mr. Younger
- Roger Creed as Mailman
- Walt La Rue as Grandpa
- Jack Griffin as Cop
- Len Ross as Passby
- Douglas Hume as Driver
- Gary Morgan as Strawberry Shortcake
- Jack Cameron White as Strawberry Shortcake
- Michael Lloyd as Strawberry Shortcake
- Kim Bullard as Strawberry Shortcake
- Don Stanley as TV Announcer (Uncredited)
See also
In Spanish: The North Avenue Irregulars para niños
