The North Avenue Irregulars (1979)

75% of critics liked it
(8 reviews)
79% of users liked it
(1,037 ratings)

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… More 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, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: G, 1 hr. 45 min.
Directed By: Bruce Bilson
Written By: Don Tait
Genres: Drama, Kids & Family, Comedy

In Theaters: Feb 9, 1979 Wide
On DVD: Jun 29, 1999

Critic Reviews

Carrie R. Wheadon, Common Sense Media
Church ladies become screwball sleuths in mild '70s comedy.
Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com
So-so Disney comedy about priest Edward Herrmann and his squad of volunteer cops led by Barbara Harris.
Michael Szymanski, Zap2it.com
What's irregular is the story and the direction

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Barry L

Let me just start out by saying that I watched this film willingly.....there was a lot of alcohol involved....it was sandwiched in between a session watching the original Evil Dead and Hellraiser, a little arm twisting and some rib nudging but I have to say this was a giggle. Typical… More
Let me just start out by saying that I watched this film willingly.....there was a lot of alcohol involved....it was sandwiched in between a session watching the original Evil Dead and Hellraiser, a little arm twisting and some rib nudging but I have to say this was a giggle. Typical late 70's Disney and I did laugh if only at the pants surveillance attempts.
Anthony V

Some very funny moments.

Cast

            Edward Herrmann as Michael Hill

            Barbara Harris as Vickie

            Cloris Leachman as Claire

            Susan Clark as Anne

            Karen Valentine as Jane

            Michael Constantine as Marv

            Patsy Kelly as Rose

            Douglas Fowley as Delaney

            Virginia Capers as Cleo

            Steve Franken as Tom

            Dena Dietrich as Mrs. Carlisle

            Dick Fuchs as Howard

            Herb Voland as Dr. Fulton

            Alan Hale Jr. as Harry the Hat

            Melora Hardin as Carmel

            Bobby Rolofson as Dean

            Frank Campanella as Max

            Ivor Francis as Rev. Wainwright

            Marjorie Bennett as Mother Thurber

            Ruth Buzzi as 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 as Mrs. Gossin

            Mickey Morton
            
            Tom Pedi
            
            Jack Perkins
            
            Dennis Robertson
            
            John Wheeler
            
            Lloyd Michael Williams
            
            Cliff Osmond
            
            Roger Creed
            
            Dave Morick
            
            Jack Griffin
            
            Douglas Hume
            
            Walt LaRue
            
See full cast