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The North Avenue Irregulars

  • 1979
  • G
  • 1h 40m
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
1.5K
YOUR RATING
Cloris Leachman, Susan Clark, Barbara Harris, Patsy Kelly, and Karen Valentine in The North Avenue Irregulars (1979)
A new preacher in town joins forces with an unlikely group of crimefighters: six dedicated church ladies who are ready, but not necessarily equipped--to help.
Play trailer0:31
1 Video
7 Photos
ActionComedyCrimeFamily

A new preacher in town joins forces with an unlikely group of crimefighters: six dedicated church ladies who are ready, but not necessarily equipped--to help.A new preacher in town joins forces with an unlikely group of crimefighters: six dedicated church ladies who are ready, but not necessarily equipped--to help.A new preacher in town joins forces with an unlikely group of crimefighters: six dedicated church ladies who are ready, but not necessarily equipped--to help.

  • Director
    • Bruce Bilson
  • Writers
    • Don Tait
    • Albert Fay Hill
  • Stars
    • Edward Herrmann
    • Barbara Harris
    • Susan Clark
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.7/10
    1.5K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Bruce Bilson
    • Writers
      • Don Tait
      • Albert Fay Hill
    • Stars
      • Edward Herrmann
      • Barbara Harris
      • Susan Clark
    • 30User reviews
    • 16Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 0:31
    Trailer

    Photos6

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    Top cast53

    Edit
    Edward Herrmann
    Edward Herrmann
    • Michael Hill
    Barbara Harris
    Barbara Harris
    • Vickie
    Susan Clark
    Susan Clark
    • Anne
    Karen Valentine
    Karen Valentine
    • Jane
    Michael Constantine
    Michael Constantine
    • Marv
    Cloris Leachman
    Cloris Leachman
    • Claire
    Patsy Kelly
    Patsy Kelly
    • Rose
    Douglas Fowley
    Douglas Fowley
    • Delaney
    • (as Douglas V. Fowley)
    Virginia Capers
    Virginia Capers
    • Cleo
    Steve Franken
    Steve Franken
    • Tom
    Dena Dietrich
    Dena Dietrich
    • Mrs. Carlisle
    Dick Fuchs
    • Howard
    Herb Voland
    Herb Voland
    • Dr. Fulton
    Alan Hale Jr.
    Alan Hale Jr.
    • Harry, the Hat
    • (as Alan Hale)
    Melora Hardin
    Melora Hardin
    • Carmel
    Bobby Rolofson
    • Dean
    Frank Campanella
    Frank Campanella
    • Max
    Ivor Francis
    Ivor Francis
    • Rev. Wainwright
    • Director
      • Bruce Bilson
    • Writers
      • Don Tait
      • Albert Fay Hill
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews30

    6.71.4K
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    Featured reviews

    Blueghost

    Truly a family film.

    The "Family Film" label is too often attached to children's films, which have nothing to offer adults or more mature adolescence. "North Avenue Irregulars" is still a Disney film, and it still caters to a younger audience, but, unlike other so-called family-films, this movie won't insult the intelligence of the adolescent nor college age film viewer.

    Again, even though it has a little more spunk than other Disney films, it is, afterall, a Disney film. As such the topic of locals tackleing organized crime is kept G-rated (clean language, minimal violence, and so forth), but the comic moments and action balance quite well in one of the last of the truly classic Disney Family Films.

    Anyone who grew up in the suburban 70's and 80's will feel very much at home with the portrayal of what used to be suburban America; everything from the PTA mom down to the wood paneled station wagon. It's worth a night's viewing.
    7mdm-11

    Super-Grannies reclaim their neighborhood from thugs

    This film is very entertaining and definitely for all audiences. A group of elderly ladies forms a "neighborhood watch", or better a "neighborhood clean-up crew". They join forces to rid their formerly "nice neighborhood" of the trash that gives it a bad name.

    Fearless and determined, the "North Avenue Irregulars" (played by many familiar comediennes) show the bad guys who's boss and reclaim their "turf". Many laughs, and a timely message: Don't let the scum take over your neighborhood!

    This kind of story was more timely during the 70s and early 80s, when serious gang violence plagued most of America. In the 21st Century, this once hopeless situation has become much less of a problem. Much of the credit for the "cleaning up" of our streets indeed goes to the countless local "neighborhood watch" efforts, telling the bad guys to clean up their act or be hauled away. Kids will still enjoy this film for its "Home Alone" methods of dealing with "bad guys".
    9gaslight1213

    hilarious

    Excellent movie...Cloris Leachman steals the show...as she usually does in any project she is in..this group of actors work wonderfully together...loved the car chasing scenes and the ending in the junkyard with its smash up derby is funny ...Disney succeeds again
    momontherun

    family comedy

    I watched this as a child and thought it was hilarious!!!! Even after twenty years (yes, I have seen it again as an adult) it is still hilarious! I can't wait to watch it again with my kids. I would definitely recommend this one! There is a lot of physical humor in this movie. (i.e.-like the humor in the classic TV series Lavern and Shirley) One of my favorite scenes is when all of the ladies are trying to follow one of the crooks and are soooo conspicuous! The Rev. says, "Everybody peel off, peel off" and well.....you really just need to see the movie.
    9ld_locke-1

    Memories

    I swear, I absolutely loved this movie and I have to go out and find it to buy or buy it online. It really is one of those movies you should own. I remember my Mom, sister and I watching this as a kid. Just for giggles I rented it online and watched it tonight and was taken back to my youth and remember how hard we laughed over this movie. They don't make them like this anymore I guess (I sound old huh?) Cloris Leachman and her nail scene brought tears to my eyes just like it did the first time I saw it. Taking it to Mom's tomorrow so my nephews can watch it,I know they'll get just as big a kick out of it as we did oh so many moons ago! You want clean, family fun, rent this!

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    Related interests

    Bruce Willis in Die Hard (1988)
    Action
    Will Ferrell in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
    Comedy
    James Gandolfini, Edie Falco, Sharon Angela, Max Casella, Dan Grimaldi, Joe Perrino, Donna Pescow, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Tony Sirico, and Michael Drayer in The Sopranos (1999)
    Crime
    Drew Barrymore and Pat Welsh in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
    Family

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Fourteen cars, costing $155,000, were destroyed in the film's climatic demolition sequence.
    • Goofs
      During the final derby scene as Kiddie Car goes to help Phantom Fox, the camera switches from a view inside Kiddie Car to a long shot. Bruno the St. Bernard has now been replaced with a obvious stuffed dog that's supposed to look like a St. Bernard.
    • Quotes

      [Everybody has just spotted Rev. Hill returning to church with only his britches missing]

      Bette Sims: How come he doesn't have any pants on?

      Mrs. Vicki Sims: Well, we - we don't know why, we - we don't question why.

      Bette Sims: Why don't we? We're all suppose to pretend he has pants on, when he doesn't?

      Mrs. Vicki Sims: [sappy-like] Mm-hmm, Yes.

    • Connections
      Featured in Sneak Previews: The North Avenue Irregulars/The Last Wave/Agatha/Norma Rae/Get Out Your Handkerchiefs (1979)
    • Soundtracks
      Mississippi Magic
      Written by Al Kasha and Joel Hirschhorn

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    FAQ13

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 9, 1979 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Disney's Official Site
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Ding-a-Ling Dames
    • Filming locations
      • Long Beach, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Walt Disney Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 40m(100 min)
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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