The North Avenue Irregulars (Book and Disney Movie)

The North Avenue Irregulars was one of my family's favorite Disney movies growing up. Made in 1979, the movie comes off as a comedy, telling the story of Rev. Hill and his band of merry women, (if you will), who are on a mission to close down local illegal gambling establishments. The police are unable to stop the illegal activity and so Rev. Hill and a group of women who you wouldn't suspect as being undercover spies (of sorts) take on the task. It's really a very funny, hilarious movie. I remember one of the things that my dad particularly appreciated about the movie was that the Reverend was a strong (yet humble) character. He pointed out that most times on film, pastors are portrayed in a less than flattering light. In the case of The North Avenue Irregulars, the pastor is in a strong place of leadership and is well-respected and is a hard worker. At the same time, actor Edward Harmann pulled the role off with humility, grace and humor. Really, this movie is quite enjoyable and entertaining and I enjoyed introducing Jonathan to it when we got married. (He liked it also.)

When I discovered that the movie was based on a book of the same title, written by the Reverend Albert Fay Hill and published in 1968, I was very eager to read it. (You can see the complete list of books Disney films are based on by clicking the link.) Being that this was a favorite story-on-screen for me, I happily found a used copy and set the book aside to read for some fun and entertainment.

I've had the book sitting on my shelf and finally I pulled it down to read - only to be a bit disappointed with it. For starters though, I should point out the fact that the book is based on some factual events "to rid New York's Westchester County and the City of Rochelle of Organized Crime." Author Rev. Hill explains in his introduction that although the book has been generally fictionalized to protect the names of those who need protecting, it is based on real and true events that involved a group which called themselves North Avenue Irregulars. This group of Irregulars were comprised of members of The North Avenue Presbyterian Church and they are the group of people to whom this book was dedicated.

The story-line is basically the same in the book as in the movie which I love so well. However, I don't think I would have even begun to be able to understand it having not having watched the movie. Author Reverend Hill's writing style is kind of chaotic. He likes action scenes and opens the book with one, but doesn't explain the characters and fails to paint a background to what is going on. It's confusing. I knew what was happening only because Disney smoothed out these wrinkles and kinks and helped cause the story to flow, making more sense. I had mental images and pictures of what was going on in my head.

Of course, there are some notable differences in the book. For one, Reverend Hill is still married in the original story, although his wife is battling cancer. On the screen, he is a widower with two children making him a more likely target for a romance which, of course, occurs. I cannot, however, inform you of whether or not he becomes a widower in the book because I couldn't finish it.

In the book The North Avenue Irregulars are absolutely fighting against Organized Crime. They also deal with issues of prostitution and the Reverend Hill doesn't shy away from using some foul language in telling his tale. I think this is one of those instances where I prefer the Disney-fied version of the movie and just didn't feel as if I wanted to spend more time with the book. I should note however that I appreciate the movie all the more knowing that it was based on actual events and not just a work of fiction!

The other thing I struggled with concerning the book was the cockiness of Reverend Hill. His presentation is a bit to prideful in nature and it made it harder to swallow. That said, he also argues his point for why a minister ought to involve himself in the community and fight against illegality and injustices. I marked several passages in the first half of the book where he argues a need for firm statements and truth.

"Generally, my congregation was behind me, especially the young people, though some individual members accused me of spending time on crime that I ought to have spent calling on the aged or getting new members. A few said this was not a proper activity for a minister, who should instead be devoting himself to spiritual matters, such as bazaars, bowling parties, and money-raising efforts for the church. Of deeper significance was the feeling that a minister should be soft and gentle. It offended some people to think of a minister of the Gospel as being tough and stubborn. I argued that Amos and other prophets had fought for social justice and rectitude in government, that John Calvin had involved himself in the life of the city of Geneva, and that the early Presbyterians in this nation had been so active in fighting for freedom from England that some Englishmen referred to the Revolution as the "Presbyterian War." (Chapter 3, page 52)

"You should be doing positive, kindly things, helping people, not being so negative."

"As Jesus was so positive and kind with the money changers in the temple?"

I had called for the resignation of the police chief long before a commissioner was appointed over his head to do what he should have been doing all along. Apparently this struck some citizens as an unkind cut, especially because I read the chief's own testimony over the air to support my demand for his resignation." (Chapter 3, page 57)

Given these emphatic statements, I can see why Disney made the on-screen version of Hill strong and stubborn. (Again though, the screen version is a bit more gentle in his approach and a lot more humble. And very much concerned for his church and his children.)

I stopped mid-way in the book, as I said, because of the language used and the additional aspect of prostitution which just didn't sit well with me. I wanted to read it because I love the characters in the movie so very much. I love that the women are portrayed on screen as home-making bulldogs. None of the women give up their responsibilities at home (although they are tried and tested to do so!) but are fighting for a cause. They are the least likely suspects to be spies, as I mentioned. They have these hilarious dialogues between one another and, of course, care about things like hair and nails. It is just amusing how this rag-tag group of Irregulars bring down these criminals!

So, maybe it would be considered a bit shallow of me to say I like the movie over the book for its cleanliness and light heartedness. At the same time, the story on screen (adapted and told by Don Tait) flows much easier, making it easy to comprehend, whereas the book reads like a hodgepodge of car chases, conversations and courtroom testimony which is much harder to follow.

I highly recommend the movie. The book? Well, not so much. It's not bad. It's just poorly told and definitely lacks in humor - which is what I was after this time.

As a reward for reading the book, I purchased a copy of the movie The North Avenue Irregulars so that my own family can enjoy it. I think perhaps instead of a "reward" it has just become a fun treat -- which I am totally ok with!