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The story takes place in a small midwestern town in the
mid 1930's.
"Charlie Appleby"(played by Fred MacMurray)is more concerned
about trying to maintain his hardware business than spending time
with his wife and their three kids.
One morning..while he is opening up his store.."Charlie"is nearly
killed in what appears to be freak accidents.
It isn't until the end of the day that he finds out that the
attemps on his life were not accidential.
He soon meets an elderly angel named"Roy Zerney"(played
by Harry Morgan).
"Mr.Zerney The Angel"tells "Charlie"that his time is up
and that he must die and come to heaven with him.
At first.."Charlie"doesn't believe that the crazy old
man is a real angel and he tells him to get lost.
When he proves that he is a heavenly messenger
and that "Appleby's"time is up.."Charlie"begs for more
time to prepare for the end.
"Zerney"is not willing to do this..but he relunctantly
agrees and he departs..while "Charlie"prepares his will
and he tries to spend some time with his family.
His kids "Rupert"(Played by Vincent Van Patten),
"Willie","Leonora" and his wife"Nettie"(played by Cloris
Leachman)are suspicious of the patriach's change of
heart.
"Nettie"believes that her husband is insane and
has him see the family doctor(played by Liam Dunn)for
a checkup.
"Leonora"becomes involved in a questionable
relationship with"Ray Ferris"(played by Kurt Russell)
.."Ferris"works in a local speak easy called"Sadie's Place"
and "Charlie"tells "Ferris"to stay away from his daughter.
"Rupert" and "Willie"go to work for a local junk dealer
named"Felix"(played by Larry D.Mann)..his junk yard is really
a front for a bootlegging operation.
And the two boys are hired to deliver booze to
"Sadie's Place"by driving an old truck.
"Charlie"becomes aware of his son's involvement
with the bootlegger's and he becomes frightened..when
two of the crooks(played by Richard Bakilyn and Mills
Watson)assault Felix and kidnap his sons.
The crooks have the kids take them to the"Appleby"
house.
Where they make the family their prisoners..
But?
"Charlie"grabs the gun from the crooks and clobbers
them and calls the police.
After turning the crooks over to the police chief
(played by George O'Hanlon).."Charlie"finds out that there
is a reward of $500,000 dollars for their capture.
Everyone is happy about this good fortune and they
want to use the monies for the kids future and to go to
The Chicago World's Fair.
"Charlie"doesn't share in the merriment..for he
has to go see "Roy Zerney"and go to heaven with him.
He drives to a certain street to meet with "Roy"
..when he finally meets up with the elderly angel.
"Roy"tells "Charlie"that he woint have to go to
heaven with him..that because of his good deed..he'll
stay alive and not know when his time will be up.
After hearing this good news.."Charlie"returns
home.
Where he prepares his family for their well earned
happy vacation and a better life.
"Charlie & The Angel"was not a hit with moviegoers
in 1973..but it would finally gain it's audience via tv reruns
and being rereleased on home video.
This was Mr.Fred MacMurray's last movie.
mid 1930's.
"Charlie Appleby"(played by Fred MacMurray)is more concerned
about trying to maintain his hardware business than spending time
with his wife and their three kids.
One morning..while he is opening up his store.."Charlie"is nearly
killed in what appears to be freak accidents.
It isn't until the end of the day that he finds out that the
attemps on his life were not accidential.
He soon meets an elderly angel named"Roy Zerney"(played
by Harry Morgan).
"Mr.Zerney The Angel"tells "Charlie"that his time is up
and that he must die and come to heaven with him.
At first.."Charlie"doesn't believe that the crazy old
man is a real angel and he tells him to get lost.
When he proves that he is a heavenly messenger
and that "Appleby's"time is up.."Charlie"begs for more
time to prepare for the end.
"Zerney"is not willing to do this..but he relunctantly
agrees and he departs..while "Charlie"prepares his will
and he tries to spend some time with his family.
His kids "Rupert"(Played by Vincent Van Patten),
"Willie","Leonora" and his wife"Nettie"(played by Cloris
Leachman)are suspicious of the patriach's change of
heart.
"Nettie"believes that her husband is insane and
has him see the family doctor(played by Liam Dunn)for
a checkup.
"Leonora"becomes involved in a questionable
relationship with"Ray Ferris"(played by Kurt Russell)
.."Ferris"works in a local speak easy called"Sadie's Place"
and "Charlie"tells "Ferris"to stay away from his daughter.
"Rupert" and "Willie"go to work for a local junk dealer
named"Felix"(played by Larry D.Mann)..his junk yard is really
a front for a bootlegging operation.
And the two boys are hired to deliver booze to
"Sadie's Place"by driving an old truck.
"Charlie"becomes aware of his son's involvement
with the bootlegger's and he becomes frightened..when
two of the crooks(played by Richard Bakilyn and Mills
Watson)assault Felix and kidnap his sons.
The crooks have the kids take them to the"Appleby"
house.
Where they make the family their prisoners..
But?
"Charlie"grabs the gun from the crooks and clobbers
them and calls the police.
After turning the crooks over to the police chief
(played by George O'Hanlon).."Charlie"finds out that there
is a reward of $500,000 dollars for their capture.
Everyone is happy about this good fortune and they
want to use the monies for the kids future and to go to
The Chicago World's Fair.
"Charlie"doesn't share in the merriment..for he
has to go see "Roy Zerney"and go to heaven with him.
He drives to a certain street to meet with "Roy"
..when he finally meets up with the elderly angel.
"Roy"tells "Charlie"that he woint have to go to
heaven with him..that because of his good deed..he'll
stay alive and not know when his time will be up.
After hearing this good news.."Charlie"returns
home.
Where he prepares his family for their well earned
happy vacation and a better life.
"Charlie & The Angel"was not a hit with moviegoers
in 1973..but it would finally gain it's audience via tv reruns
and being rereleased on home video.
This was Mr.Fred MacMurray's last movie.
