FirstWitch A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.

Brendon Jones It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

Bessie Smyth Great story, amazing characters, superb action, enthralling cinematography. Yes, this is something I am glad I spent money on.

Kirandeep Yoder The joyful confection is coated in a sparkly gloss, bright enough to gleam from the darkest, most cynical corners.

JLRMovieReviews Fred MacMurray and Cloris Leachman live in a Depression-era small country town. He has his own store and through a succession of mishaps and bad luck, he feels everything's against him. He finds his own sons idolizing another friend's father instead of himself, because he never does anything with him. Then he meets an angel, Henry Morgan, who says Fred has cheated death several times and that his end is only a matter of days, any time now. Unless he changes his money-loving ways and think of his family and real quick, he won't be here much longer. From such a serious and somewhat depressing beginning to a silly end, as the boys get a job, one not that up-and-up, (of course they're oblivious to what they're doing,) because they want to help the family out. The law goes after the mafia, which of course has something to with this questionable job of theirs. They all get thrown in this silly discombobulation of an ending. I wanted to like this movie, but it gets uneven and nonsensical by the end of it. It has its charming moments, but they are few and far between. The funniest thing is when Cloris thinks Fred has lost it, because he's talking to himself, when he's talking to the angel she can't see. If you love Fred MacMurray's Disney films, watch "The Absent-Minded Professor" and leave "Charley" to his own devices.

moonspinner55 Family man and hardware store owner in the 1930s cheats death and is visited by a persnickety angel with a scheduling conflict. Fred MacMurray, his eyebrows arched in malevolent ill-will and his hair darkened black as patent-leather, plays the hero like a galumphing, sexless clod. His character of Charley never makes a wise decision, never says the proper thing at the correct time...he can't even drive on the right side of the street! As the heavenly apparition, Harry Morgan cracks wise and wastes time with dead-end lines like, "Don't worry Charley, your wife can't see or hear me." It's "Topper" for under-achievers, or perhaps children too young to know any better. Technical aspects good, but the supporting cast is filled with wheezing old-timers looking for their piece of scenery to chew on. *1/2 from ****

jaybabb Quick Quiz folks: How old was Fred MacMurray when he made this film? He was born in 1908-this film was made in 1973. He was around 65 years old-too old to be a father of 2 young boys! He's old enough to be their grandfather. So, would someone please tell me why Disney Cast MacMurray as a father? He has since worn out his role as a father since "My three sons."I like Fred MacMurray, I consider him to be one of the best actors in Hollywood but he's all wrong here as a father. Cloris Leachman is OK as the mother, certainly better than she was in "Scavenger Hunt."Perhaps the best performances comes from the two boys, I like the scene where they drive a car!(and they seem to be the only ones who are enjoying themselves.) Harry Morgan is fine as the angel.So, overall this film was a half baked attempt at a feel good story of a family in the Depression. It was made at a time when Watergate broke lose and the Vietnam war-so perhaps they made this movie as an escape from that.I enjoy this film, but Disney should have done better with the story and the casting.

Steve Tarter 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.