Thanks for the memories!

Good movie, but best of all time? Hardly . . .

Crappy film

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

They were not crooks but it was gambling. Basically a church member gambles part of a church fund and the pastor and parishioner help the police close down the gamblers. Then they take money from the final apprehension to put back in the church fund which I always thought odd. It was funny a thing at the time.

It's interesting to see that the majority of reviewers deliberately mentioned that this movie has stood the test of time. I think it is an art to create hilarity like this. You have to have an uncomplicated head, which is probably why it is not done today.The Disney Channel used to air their old great family films on a late night, maybe early a.m. venue called "Vault Disney." It's gone. I taped every one I found. Unfortunately, they went on VHS at that time, and they haven't transferred very well to DVD. However, more of these are showing up on DVD online all the time.There was one called something like, "The One and Only Family Band." I think there were more words, but John Davidson and Leslie Warren were in it with Walter Brennan and others. "The Happiest Millionaire" was in the lineup, with an older Greer Garson and Fred MacMurray. It's a musical family piece, which is very funny. These were well done also."North Avenue" is hilarious, fresh and great fun. Lots of good clean energy.

Not long before Disney faded out for a time in the early 80s,they made a few good "family films". This certainly is one of them. The plot (which was not over my head even at 10) is simple. The town Reverend recruits the neighborhood ladies to try and uncover illeagal gambling going on in their area.The ladies are hilarious as they try to keep their cool while (I'm, guessing) trying to be like crime solvers they've seen on TV. One car chase happens when one of them has just come from the grocery store with her kids. Nothing stranger or funnier than an action car chase w/ a station wagon! It's like being pursued by The Bradys! Another scene,one of them is asked to describe a car making a getaway and she says,"It's green". "Maybe olive green or avacado green etc. & so on!It was great to see the late Alan Hale Jr. in the film too,playing something besides "Skipper". I may be 27 years older but none of it seems dated to me. If it feels so to others,I can only assume they've lost their inner child somewhere. For families and even those who look back fondly on being a kid....enjoy! ...and check your "21st century mind" at the door! (END)

This is a case of how comedy movies don't always stand the test of time. I saw this when I was a child and thought it was hilarious but upon a recent viewing, there are only a few funny moments. Cloris Leachman (with extra long fingernails) definitely steals the show. Also look for Alan Hale Jr. who played the Skipper on "Gilligan's Island" as well as an uncredited appearance by Joan Hackett. The film is good family fun overall and while the pacing is good,the ending is predictable and holds no surprises but alas, this is representative of most Disney movies from the 60's and 70's. Rates a 6/10