{"id":59984,"date":"2018-02-06T08:00:28","date_gmt":"2018-02-06T13:00:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/?p=59984"},"modified":"2022-02-05T23:15:47","modified_gmt":"2022-02-06T04:15:47","slug":"movie-review-charley-angel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/movie-review-charley-angel\/","title":{"rendered":"Movie Review: Charley and the Angel"},"content":{"rendered":"
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DVD Cover Copyright Disney<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A live action comedy-drama based on Will Stanton\u2019s 1971 novel The Golden Evenings of Summer<\/em>, Disney\u2019s Charley and the Angel<\/em> was theatrically released on March 23, 1973. The film is ninety-three minutes in length.<\/p>\n

Plot Summary<\/strong><\/p>\n

In a small midwestern town in the late summer of 1933, Charley Appleby (Fred MacMurray), the middle-aged father of a teenage girl named Leonora Appleby (Kathleen Cody), a preteen boy named Willie Appleby (Vincent Van Patten), and a younger boy named Rupert Appleby (Scott C. Kolden), and the husband of one Nettie Appleby (Cloris Leachman), approaches a crossroads in his life. If Mr. Appleby does not make the correct choice here, his life will hit a literal dead end.<\/p>\n

You see, Appleby, in the midst of the Great Depression, does not know how to live happily. His immense concern for the fate of his hardware store results in a corresponding neglect of his family, the members of which tend to only demonstrate superficial love for their often-absent leader. Now, out of the blue, an angel formerly known as Roy Zerney (Harry Morgan) comes into Charley\u2019s life with an ultimatum: Charley must either make amends with his family and enjoy their company, or he will die. Simultaneous to the reception of this grim news, Mr. Appleby\u2019s children encounter difficulties of their own. His sons, trying to make money, inadvertently entangle themselves in an alcohol bootlegging ring, an operation that involves junkyard owner Felix (Larry D. Mann), bar owner Sadie (Barbara Nichols), henchman Buggs (Richard Bakalyan), and gangster Frankie Zuto (Mills Watson); and Leonora abruptly leaves home to elope with a young man named Ray Ferris (Kurt Russell). Can Mr. Appleby transcend these increasing troubles to suit both the heavens and his family?<\/p>\n

Happiness<\/strong><\/p>\n

Striking a balance between work and leisure is often difficult, especially during an economic depression, but said balance is usually essential to happiness. Are you really living if you only care about work?<\/p>\n

On the other hand, as Willie and Rupert learn, people must work to make money.<\/p>\n

Characterization<\/strong><\/p>\n

Though it has numerous comedic moments, Charley and the Angel <\/em>is often more serious than it is funny. The angel\u2019s ultimatum and Charley\u2019s ensuing efforts to find happiness afford a sad vibe to the film. Charley is undoubtedly distant from his family, but he doesn\u2019t come across nearly so poorly as to be held in limbo with a potential death sentence. At worst, he appears as a grumpy man tired after a long day at work, and most of the complaints about him are based on incidents that occurred prior to the setting of the film. Frankly, I felt more sympathy for Charley than I did for the other characters, though the latter are generally likable. Willie and Rupert, in particular, add to the movie’s charm with their youthful enthusiasm.<\/p>\n

Golden Anniversary<\/strong><\/p>\n

As noted prior to the opening credits, Charley and the Angel <\/em>was released in the Walt Disney Company\u2019s fiftieth-anniversary year, 1973. The company, under the name \u201cDisney Brothers Cartoon Studio,\u201d was formed by Walt Disney and his older brother Roy O. Disney on October 16, 1923, when the duo secured distribution rights for Walt\u2019s Alice Comedies.<\/p>\n

Action<\/strong><\/p>\n

The second half of Charley and the Angel<\/em> is packed with action. Here, an extended car chase is followed by an encounter between the Applebys and the bootleggers in the Appleby home.<\/p>\n

Humor<\/strong><\/p>\n

Upon seeing the shooting star, Charley wishes that the mosquitos would go away. Unfortunately, only the winter frost can solve that problem. A wish for a trip to the World\u2019s Fair on the other hand\u2026.<\/p>\n

Miss Partridge (Susan Tolsky) misunderstands the terms of a sale at Appleby\u2019s store.<\/p>\n

Willie and Rupert cannot get in sync with kite-building instructions from a radio program.<\/p>\n

The angel remembers his long-lost name, Roy Zerney, in song! He also hovers, partially disappears, takes showers, and roller skates.<\/p>\n

Driving a car is difficult under normal circumstances, but the effort is complicated when the driver, Willie in this case, cannot reach the pedal.<\/p>\n

Charley is asked to choose between lemonade and iced tea at Sadie\u2019s Place. He should have been offered an Arnold Palmer.<\/p>\n

Music<\/strong><\/p>\n

A whimsical lyrical tune, \u201cLivin\u2019 One Day At The Time,\u201d plays over the opening credits and is reprised in the final scene. This number, which highlights the outlook on life that Charley must develop if he wants to survive, provides a fun bookend to the movie but is not especially memorable.<\/p>\n

Additionally, a mysterious tune precedes the angel\u2019s first appearance, a sad tune follows the scene where the entire family declines to accompany Charley to the movies, and a swift jazzy tune nicely complements the car chase scene.<\/p>\n

Relationship to Other Disney Films<\/strong><\/p>\n

Charley and the Angel <\/em>was the last of seven Disney films to feature Fred MacMurray, who was named the Walt Disney Company\u2019s first \u201cDisney Legend\u201d in 1987. MacMurray had previously appeared in The Shaggy Dog <\/em>(1959), The Absent-Minded Professor <\/em>(1961), Bon Voyage!<\/em> (1962), Son of Flubber<\/em> (1963), Follow Me, Boys!<\/em> (1966), and The Happiest Millionaire<\/em> (1967) for the studio.<\/p>\n

Charley and the Angel <\/em>was the seventh of fifteen Disney films to feature Kurt Russell, who was named a Disney Legend in 1998. Russell had previously appeared in Follow Me, Boys!<\/em>, The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band <\/em>(1968), The Horse in the Gray Flannel Suit<\/em> (1968), The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes<\/em> (1969), The Barefoot Executive<\/em> (1971), and Now You See Him, Now You Don’t <\/em>(1972) for Disney, and he subsequently contributed to Superdad <\/em>(1973), The Strongest Man in the World<\/em> (1975), The Fox and the Hound<\/em> (1981), Captain Ron<\/em> (1992), Tombstone<\/em> (1993), Miracle<\/em> (2004), Sky High<\/em> (2005), and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2<\/em> (2017) for the studio.<\/p>\n

Charley and the Angel <\/em>was the fourth of seven Disney films to feature Harry Morgan. Morgan had previously appeared in The Barefoot Executive<\/em>, Scandalous John<\/em> (1971), and Snowball Express<\/em> (1972) for Disney, and he subsequently appeared in The Apple Dumpling Gang <\/em>(1975), The Cat from Outer Space <\/em>(1978), and The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again <\/em>(1979) for the studio.<\/p>\n

Charley and the Angel <\/em>was the fifth of nine Disney films to feature Richard Bakalyan. Bakalyan had previously appeared in Follow Me, Boys!<\/em>, Never a Dull Moment<\/em> (1968), The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes<\/em>, and Now You See Him, Now You Don’t<\/em> for Disney, and he subsequently contributed to The Strongest Man in the World<\/em>, The Shaggy D.A.<\/em> (1976), Return from Witch Mountain<\/em> (1978), and The Fox and the Hound<\/em> for the studio.<\/p>\n

Cloris Leachman subsequently appeared in The North Avenue Irregulars <\/em>(1979), Herbie Goes Bananas <\/em>(1980), and Sky High <\/em>for Disney.<\/p>\n

At the beginning of Charley and the Angel<\/em>, the Appleby family casts wishes upon a star. A more famous instance of this scenario occurred in Pinocchio <\/em>(1940).<\/p>\n

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Photo Copyright The Mouse For Less<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Reminiscent of the Caterpillar from Alice in Wonderland<\/em> (1951), the angel in Charley and the Angel <\/em>blows smoke rings from a pipe.<\/p>\n

Angels are also featured in Angels in the Outfield <\/em>(1994) and Angels in the Endzone <\/em>(1997).<\/p>\n

A supernatural being also follows a human in Blackbeard\u2019s Ghost<\/em> (1968).<\/p>\n

In the Parks<\/strong><\/p>\n

The 1933-34 Chicago World\u2019s Fair is discussed throughout Charley and the Angel<\/em>. Another World\u2019s Fair, the 1964 event in New York, was crucial to the future of Disney\u2019s theme parks. Popular attractions including \u201cIt\u2019s a Small World,\u201d \u201cWalt Disney\u2019s Carousel of Progress,\u201d and \u201cThe Disneyland Story presenting Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln\u201d debuted in some form at the 1964 New York World\u2019s Fair.<\/p>\n

Overall<\/strong><\/p>\n

Charley and the Angel<\/em> is melancholier than one may expect, but the plot is suspenseful, and the film has the historical benefit of featuring two of Disney\u2019s greatest actors, Fred MacMurray and Kurt Russell.<\/p>\n

What do you think of Charley and the Angel? Let me know in the comments!<\/em><\/p>\n

Did you like this article? Make sure to share it with your friends! Check below for easy ways to share!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0Sponsored Ad:\u00a0 Would you like to help support The Mouse For Less website in continuing their mission of being THE Disney vacation planning resource?\u00a0 You can do so by purchasing Charley and the Angel<\/em><\/a> from our Affiliate Link through Amazon. Thanks so much for your support!<\/strong><\/p>\n

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