source: Charley and the Angel

Charley and the Angel

When I first saw this film years ago, I was disappointed. I guess I was expecting the screwball comedy of The Absent Minded Professor or Son of Flubber. However over the years, I've grown to love this film. It is a simple story of a man and his family trying to survive the depression. The movie takes place in the midwest in 1933. Fred Macmurray plays very well a man who is worried about his future and trying to make ends meet for his family. His wife and kids want to go see the World's Fair and he tells them it's a waste of money. Harry Morgan, who steals this movie, plays a very likable angel who tells Fred his time is up. So Fred wants to take them to the fair before his time is up. The wonderful cast includes Cloris Leachman, Kurt Russell, Kathleen Cody, Vincent Van Patten, Scott C. Kolden, and many more familiar Disney faces. Don't worry this film ends up happily for everyone.

TV veterans hammer out a movie version of "It's a Wonderful Life" without the Jimmie Stewart classic's charm and humanity. Harry Morgan plays the angel and Fred MacMurray is Charlie, the grizzled shopkeeper who realizes he has to put on a happy face. All told, half-baked.

The 1970s were great years for Disney live action movies. I know that the studio struggled during those years but a lot of movies they released at that time were really good. I remember seeing "Charley and the Angel" in the theater (Bellerose, NY). I liked it then and I still like it now. It may lose its way once in a while but "Charley and the Angel" comes through by the end. Fred MacMurray give a very good performance (despite his overly dyed hair). The rest of the cast is also very good. "Charley and the Angel" does a nice job balancing the action with the emotion. I may have not laughed out loud but I smiled a lot. Honorable mention: a very dreamy Pat Delany.

This is an excellent family film and I disagree with the previous reviewer. I think Fred MacMurray was an expert at playing the father on television and I don't think this movie is any exception. He was just perfect for the part and really fathers can be any age. This is also a movie with a good message about making the best of your relationships while you have the chance, giving quality time and not just "providing" for your family. The father in the movie is very absorbed with providing for his family, but has forgotten what is most important. His children & wife are growing away from him and he doesn't even know it. It takes an angel to help him "wake up" and to give him that 2nd chance to start over. Excellent and I hope it is released on DVD soon.