How can you go wrong with Edward Herrmann sending out the women from his church to take down a nasty gambling ring?? I wanted, BEGGED, my mom to go and buy a Ford Country Squire station wagon like 'Kitty Car' drove so we could take all my friends and go fight crime! ( I was 6). I loved this movie then and I love it NOW.

Where else are you going to find great car chases, going wrong way on one-way streets, cars staring down trains,and animals overtaking a an intersection? And for good measure, let's throw in Ruth Buzzi, Cloris Leachman with matching poodle, and the infamous Patsy Kelly!

Go, Disney, go!! 8 out of 10 stars!

huh? is that a bear in the back of Barbra Harris's station wagon? this is a pretty kooky, quirky little Disney comedy that is pure, wholesome Disney fun with a little social comment thrown in as well.

this family comedy was made at a time when a mainstream film was not embarrassed by having good, wholesome Christian and family values. but despite some good Christian messages, this is not really a movie about Chritianity or the Church really, it's actually a film about average, American middle class nobodies attempting to make a difference in their mostly ordinary world. in a sense the Church is only a kind of metaphor, if you want, of the soul and spirit of the average American.

the message of this film is true social commentary. it's about average people fighting back against local corruption that even goes as high as the city office (whoa think about it). pretty intense for usually non-committal Disney fare. but there is no heavy handed commentary and it's done with a EXTREMELY light weight touch. but it's simple little message is clear, the average person can make a difference. even if you are a housewife and church lady.

this is also a film with a mild feminist message. these Church ladies are no mere Stepford wives, they are as resourceful as any gal from 'The First Wives Club'. their resilient strength is evident in the hilarious opening scene where the ladies save the church maintenance man after he falls off his ladder and is left hanging on to the Church roof. scene after scene of incompetence, but these ladies keep on coming and are determined to get the job done.

most of this film is just mildly amusing, but it is capable of some truly hilarious moments at times. like where the cop yells at Barbra Harris to pull her station wagon over to the side of traffic and instead she evades arrest by driving her family wagon onto the sidewalk and peels away. the ending crash up at the crook's money bank and hide-out is also, ahem, a total crack-up.

there's nothing to offend the puritanical or prudish because this is so obviously 'G' rated family fare. and very respectful of the Church. the only things that might unnerve are a scary Church bombing and scenes of child endangerment when the ladies race around in their family wagons with babies and little children in the back seat.

this movie is also a little more off the cuff then you would think. i mean little miss goody two shoes Karen Valentine going under cover as a trampy lady and Ruth Buzzi as the "Ecumenical Enchantress" is going a little out there. and is that a BEAR in the back of the mom's station wagon when she's taking all the kids and their pets to the pet show?!

this is not a great movie or even a great classic Disney film, but it is a good movie and a very funny one. and it's message is a constructive one, YOU can make a difference if you put your mind to it. and also with a little help from your friends.

I saw this movie while I was stationed in Alaska. I would like to see Disney make pictures like this again without any worries about being PC or making a social statement. The whole cast was great but, Karen Valentine stands out as the sweet young bride, as does Edward Hermann as the minister trying to save his church and congregation. This is a great one to check out for great laughs and good clean fun.