Good Story, Less Effective Comedy

boblipton

Edward Herrman, the newly appointed minister at the North Avenue Church and the ladies of his congregation work with Treasury agents Michael Constantine and Steve Franken to bring down the bookies and numbers ring in their town. Like many of the Disney movies of this period, it is filled with stars and character actors of an earlier era, including Douglas Fowely and Patsy Kelly in their last roles, as well as Karen Valentine, Barbara Harris, Susan Clark and Cloris Leachman.

While the story is good, director Bruce Bilson shoots it for economy rather than effect, with the gags of pure destruction shot in tight framing and quick editing, rather than a more effective medium take and leisurely place of cutting. The result is less funny than chaotic in its impact.

score 5/10

boblipton 29 June 2019

Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw4966039/