Charley et l'ange

Charley And The Angel was the final film that Fred MacMurray did for the Walt Disney Studio. It was certainly a profitable association for both Disney and MacMurray although this one does not come anywhere near such things as The Absent Minded Professor or The Shaggy Dog.

MacMurray as Charley Appleby is a workaholic just tending to business at the hardware store day after day and ignoring his family which includes wife Cloris Leachman and kids, Kathleen Cody, Vincent Van Patten, and Scott Kolden. Kathleen's got a pair of boyfriends interested in her in Kurt Russell and Ed Begley, Jr. And the boys are getting themselves into mischief.

MacMurray after a couple of close shaves gets a visit from guardian angel Harry Morgan who says because of those things, he's fouled up the celestial schedule. But he's on borrowed time and MacMurray now waking up and smelling the coffee decides he'd better change his lifestyle.

The Disney family formula was wearing a bit thin. I don't think it was an accident that Fred's last three films with Disney were all set in the past. Disney's current star of modern type comedies was the all American Kurt Russell.

The younger brothers innocent involvement with gangsters was something of a hoot however. I'm surprised Vincent Van Patten didn't go on to do more Disney items, he seemed perfect as a Magic Kingdom type.

Harry Morgan is a droll sort of angel who gets to do a bit of scenery chewing with MacMurray. He's easily the best one in the film.

Fans of Fred MacMurray should appreciate this.

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.

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.

It's a solid film, but they could've done so much more with the premise.

I liked the vast majority of the early knockings of 'Charley and the Angel', as it sets up a potentially extremely interesting plot that will be filled to the brim with heart and impact. Unfortunately, in reality it barely scratches the surface of the latter things. They do make the story meaningful, but it's very much underdone. The reasoning for Charley being in the situation isn't fully portrayed either, just told as how it is.

Fred MacMurray adds to that initial feeling of mine, his acting is very good at the beginning; especially with his face and body language. He's still the standout throughout but, like the film itself, he falls flatter as he goes on.

Running MacMurray very close is Harry Morgan, who is rather excellent as The Angel - I just wish we could've had more with him. I also liked the score incorporating "Hello! Ma Baby" into it when he's on-screen, which is amusing. None of the other characters really get much to work with.

I do like this film by and large, I just feel it could've been greater.

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.