The North Avenue Irregulars

The North Avenue Irregulars is a 1979 Disney film, released on February 9, 1979, starring Edward Herrmann, Barbara Harris, and Susan Clark. It was based on original work by Albert Fay Hill, as adapted by Don Tait. The film was released as Hill's Angels in the United Kingdom, presumably to latch onto the success of Benny Hill's dance troupe.
==Plot==
Reverend Michael Hill (Edward Herrmann) and his two children arrive in a mid-sized city as the new minister at 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 (Steven 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.
The team changes tactics to try to go after the "bank" that the gangsters use, tailing the mob's deliverymen through town while Hill coordinates using a map at the church office. Two gangsters subsequently appear at the church during services and identify the women.
Anne discovers the operation, even as Hill defends the Irregulars as keeping the gangsters off balance. Anne resigns from the secretary position, and soon after, the gangsters bomb the church.
Hill is shocked at the gangsters' act, and seems ready to give in, but to his surprise, Anne wants to join the fight. They do so, and continue to hammer the gangsters' movements around town. Meanwhile, Hill receives word that the pulpit has been declared vacant and North Avenue will be discontinued as a church entity.
Dr. Victor Fulton (Herb Voland), a representative from presbytery, arrives to discuss the closure with Hill. Anne picks up two more presbytery representatives at the airport, but while bringing them to the church, she recognizes one of the mob's deliverymen and realizes she may be able to find the bank. She tracks the deliveryman to an isolated compound. Within minutes, all the Irregulars besiege the place as the gangsters attempt a frantic escape with their bank. A demolition derby ensues, the crooks are stopped, and the evidence is seized.
The following Sunday, Hill's congregation gathers outside the gutted church while he delivers news of the indictments against the mob and of the closing of the church. However, Dr. Fulton steps in to proclaim that North Avenue has a new lease on life—it will be rebuilt. The youthful band starts the music again as everyone rejoices.
==Cast==
*Edward Herrmann - Michael Hill
*Barbara Harris - Vickie
*Susan Clark - Anne
*Karen Valentine - Jane
*Michael Constantine - Marv
*Cloris Leachman - Claire
*Patsy Kelly - Rose
*Douglas V. Fowley - Delaney
*Virginia Capers - Cleo
*Steve Franken - Tom
*Dena Dietrich - Mrs. Carlisle
*Dick Fuchs - Howard
*Herb Voland - Dr. Fulton
*Alan Hale - Harry, the Hat
*Melora Hardin - Carmel
*Bobby Rolofson - Dean
*Frank Campanella - Max
*Ivor Francis - Rev. Wainwright
*Louisa Moritz - Mrs. Gossin
*Marjorie Bennett - Mother Thurber
*Ruth Buzzi - Dr. Rheems
*Ceil Cabot - Pedestrian
*Cliff Osmond - Big Chin
*Carl Ballantine - Sam
*Damon Bradley Raskin - Danny
*Linda Lee Lyons - Bette
*John Kerry - Roca's Lieutenant
*Dave Morick - Policeman
*Darrow Igus - Mechanic
*Dennis Robertson - Truck Driver #1
*Ed McCready - Truck Driver #2
*Dave Ketchum - Capt. Bamford
*John Wheeler - Clothier
*David Rode - Toby
*Mickey Morton - Bootsie
*Pitt Herbert - Mr. Thurber
*Chuck Henry - TV Announcer
*Rickie Layne - Bettor
*Jack Perkins - Bouncer
*Tom Pedi - Bartender
*Bill McLean - Mr. Younger
*Roger Creed - Mailman
*Walt LaRue - Grandpa
*Jack Griffin - Traffic Cop
*Len Ross - Passerby
*Douglas Hume - Driver
*Gary Morgan, Jack Cameron White, Michael Lloyd, Kim Bullard - Strawberry Shortcakes
===Uncredited===
*Joan Hackett
*Rachel Jacobs - Voices
*Lawrence Moran - Jacob
*Don Stanley - TV Announcer
==Gallery==
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Category:Disney films
Category:1979 films
Category:Live-action films
Category:Films
Category:G-rated films