The North Avenue Irregulars
| The North Avenue Irregulars | |
|---|---|
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 Melora Hardin Alan Hale, Jr. Ruth Buzzi |
| Music by |
Richard Bowden Robert F. Brunner |
| Cinematography | Leonard J. South |
| Edited by | Gordon D. Brenner |
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Production
company |
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| Distributed by | Buena Vista Distribution |
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Release date
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February 9, 1979 |
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Running time
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100 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
The North Avenue Irregulars is a 1979 American comedy crime film produced by Walt Disney Productions, distributed by Buena Vista Distribution Company, and starring Edward Herrmann, Barbara Harris, Karen Valentine and Susan Clark. It was based on an original work by Albert Fay Hill, as adapted by Don Tait. The film was released as Hill's Angels in the United Kingdom.
Reverend Michael Hill (Edward Herrmann) and his two children arrive in a fictional California town. He is there to serve as the new minister at the North Avenue Presbyterian Church. The secretary/music director for the church, Anne (Susan Clark), is wary of the changes Hill intends to implement. Hill wants to get people involved, and asks Mrs. Rose Rafferty (Patsy Kelly, in her final movie role) to handle the church's sinking fund.
On his first Sunday, Hill learns from Mrs. Rafferty that her husband Delaney (Douglas Fowley) bet all the sinking fund money on a horse race. Hill delivers a sermon less than 15 seconds long, then rapidly escorts Mrs. Rafferty out the church as astonished worshipers watch. She leads him to the bookie, hidden behind a dry-cleaning shop, and meets Harry the Hat (Alan Hale, Jr.), who recommends that Hill let the bet ride. Hill's horse loses and he is thrown out of the betting parlor. Hill summons the police, but the booking joint has been skillfully removed.
That evening, Hill delivers a tirade against the organized crime in the city during a local television broadcast. He is chastised by his presbytery superiors for the tirade, and is urged to go out and build church membership in the area. His only success is with a rock band called Strawberry Shortcake, who he recruits to "jazz up" the music at church; Anne resigns as music director. Then, two treasury agents for the US government arrive: Marvin Fogleman (Michael Constantine) and Tom Voohries (Steve Franken). They want Hill to help them close down the gambling racket by recruiting some men from the church to place bets that the agents will watch. Hill cannot find any men to help, but hits upon the idea of using women. Five women from his congregation (and Delany, whose wife does not drive) attempt to place bets in the company of the Treasury agents, but with disastrous clumsiness.
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