499:, by Reverend Albert Fay Hill, the year after its publication, in 1969, and screenwriter Don Tait adapted the story in 1977. The film was shot at Disney Studios in Burbank, CA, and at forty-two locations in the Los Angeles, CA area, including neighborhoods within Burbank, Long Beach, Pasadena, and Newhall. Fourteen new automobiles, costing $ 155,000, were destroyed for the climatic demolition sequence.
356:), 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.
320:). 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 attempt to place bets in the company of the Treasury agents, but ending up in some kind of disastrously clumsy result.
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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
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The following Sunday, Hill's congregation gathers outside the ravaged 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
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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
292:) 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
304:), who recommends that Hill let the bet ride. Hill's horse, Sundae Treat, loses and he is thrown out of the betting parlor. Hill summons the police, but the booking joint has been skillfully removed.
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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 firebomb the church.
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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.
253:. Don Tait wrote the screenplay, which was loosely based on the Rev. Albert Fay Hill's memoir of fighting the mob in New Rochelle, New York in the 1960s. The film was released as
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348:), a representative from presbytery, arrives to discuss the closure with Hill. Anne picks up two more presbytery representatives at the airport, Dr. Rheems (
273:
town, New
Campton. He is there to serve as the new minister at the North Avenue Presbyterian Church. The secretary/music director for the church, Anne (
285:, which consisted of $ 1,206 ($ 4,967 in 2022 dollars). It turns out being an awful mistake, because she has a husband who is a reckless gambler.
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Two gangsters subsequently appear at the church during services and identify one of the women, Claire Porter (
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as music director. Then, two treasury agents for the US government arrive: Marvin
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Delaney (
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Walt Disney
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568:"Screen: Crime Fighting in the Disney Style:Crusading Minister"
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as Dr. Fulton, the Head of the
Presbyterian Executive Committee
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296:, hidden behind a dry-cleaning shop owned by Sam the Tailor (
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as Marv
Fogleman, an Investigator of the Treasury Department
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as Tom
Voories, an Investigator of the Treasury Department
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The North Avenue
Irregulars: A Suburb Battles the Mafia
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307:That evening, Hill delivers a tirade against the
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269:) and his two children arrive in the fictional
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486:as Max Roca, the Head of the Gambling Racket
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402:as Mr. Delaney Rafferty / Blarney Stone
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517:"The North Avenue Irregulars (1979)"
861:English-language crime comedy films
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360:music again as everyone rejoices.
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330:). They report that to Max Roca (
774:The Halloween That Almost Wasn't
566:Canby, Vincent (13 April 1979).
378:as Mrs. Vickie Sims / Kiddie Car
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871:Films produced by Ron W. Miller
866:Films directed by Bruce Bilson
758:The Girl Who Came Gift-Wrapped
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396:as Claire Porter / Phantom Fox
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642:"The North Avenue Irregulars"
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586:"The North Avenue Irregulars"
542:"The North Avenue Irregulars"
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456:Dick Fuchs as Howard Carlisle
836:1970s English-language films
300:), and meets Harry the Hat (
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851:American crime comedy films
766:The North Avenue Irregulars
704:The North Avenue Irregulars
693:The North Avenue Irregulars
682:The North Avenue Irregulars
447:Bobby Rolofson as Dean Hill
372:as Rev. Michael 'Mike' Hill
352:) and Reverend Wainwright (
219:The North Avenue Irregulars
22:The North Avenue Irregulars
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881:Walt Disney Pictures films
175:February 9, 1979
782:The Ghosts of Buxley Hall
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265:Reverend Michael Hill (
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150:Walt Disney Productions
846:American mystery films
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831:1970s American films
384:as Jane / June Bride
341:as a church entity.
316:) and Tom Voohries (
436:Michael Constantine
344:Dr. Victor Fulton (
314:Michael Constantine
222:is a 1979 American
87:Michael Constantine
744:Films directed by
698:TCM Movie Database
572:The New York Times
426:as Rev. Wainwright
826:1979 comedy films
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619:. 9 February 1979
474:as Sam the Tailor
233:, distributed by
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43:Bruce Bilson
551:1 September
526:1 September
468:as Big Chin
418:Herb Voland
406:Patsy Kelly
388:Susan Clark
346:Herb Voland
279:Patsy Kelly
275:Susan Clark
251:Susan Clark
195:100 minutes
95:Patsy Kelly
79:Susan Clark
57:Produced by
39:Directed by
821:1979 films
815:Categories
623:3 November
595:3 November
503:References
491:Production
430:Ruth Buzzi
350:Ruth Buzzi
271:California
227:crime film
179:1979-02-09
142:Production
107:Ruth Buzzi
61:Ron Miller
49:Written by
121:Edited by
709:AllMovie
208:Language
129:Music by
67:Starring
52:Don Tait
696:at the
211:English
200:Country
177: (
144:company
801:(1985)
793:(1984)
785:(1980)
777:(1979)
769:(1979)
761:(1974)
294:bookie
224:comedy
687:IMDb
655:2021
625:2014
597:2014
553:2019
528:2019
364:Cast
261:Plot
249:and
707:at
685:at
647:AFI
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181:)
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