Charley and the Angel

Charley and the Angel

Year: 1973

Runtime: 93 mins

Language: English

Director: Vincent McEveety

FantasyComedyFamily

Charley, a devoted but work‑obsessed husband and father, learns from a heavenly messenger that his time is running out. Confronted with his impending death, he strives to mend neglected relationships, prioritize his family, and become the husband and dad he always should have been during his final days.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Charley and the Angel (1973)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Charley and the Angel (1973). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1920s-1930s

The story is set during the Great Depression and Prohibition, times marked by economic hardship and widespread illegal alcohol trade. This period influenced the characters' lives, highlighting struggles for economic stability and moral choices amidst societal challenges.

Location

Chicago, Charley's hometown

The movie takes place in Chicago during the era of Prohibition and the Great Depression. The city is depicted as a bustling hub with illegal activities surrounding bootlegging. It serves as a backdrop for themes of struggle, crime, and community resilience.

🌆 Urban 🎡 Industrial 🏭 Working-class

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 04:50

Main Characters – Charley and the Angel (1973)

Meet the key characters of Charley and the Angel (1973), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Ray Ferris (Kurt Russell)

Ray is a young man with questionable trustworthiness who has a romantic relationship with Leonora. He is involved in illegal activities and faces moral dilemmas as he interacts with the family. His character reflects youthful daring and the possibility of redemption.

👦 Teen 💕 Lover ⚖️ Morally ambiguous

Nettie Appleby (Cloris Leachman)

Nettie, Charley's wife, is a caring mother who struggles with her husband's sudden behavioral changes. She embodies family loyalty and longs for stability and happiness for her children amid difficult circumstances.

👩 Wife ❤️ Supportive 💪 Resilient

Willie Appleby (Vincent Van Patten)

Willie is one of Charley's sons, who is involved in illegal bootlegging operations. His actions exemplify youthful rebellion and the influence of criminal activities during the Prohibition era.

👦 Son 🚗 Rebel ⚖️ Criminal involvement

Charley Appleby (Fred MacMurray)

Charley is a hardworking hardware store owner who undergoes significant personal transformation. His commitment to his family and his spiritual awakening highlight themes of integrity and redemption.

👨 Husband 🛠️ Shopkeeper ✨ Redeemed

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 04:50

Major Themes – Charley and the Angel (1973)

Explore the central themes of Charley and the Angel (1973), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

✨ Redemption

Charley's journey reflects themes of redemption as he seeks to mend his strained family relationships and embrace faith. His transformation demonstrates that it's never too late to change and find purpose through sacrifice and honesty.

👪 Family

The importance of family bonds is central, as Charley's efforts to reconnect with his wife and children highlight themes of love, support, and prioritizing loved ones over material concerns. The film emphasizes loyalty and sacrifice within family units.

💫 Miracles

Supernatural interventions and the angel Roy symbolize hope and divine guidance. Charley's miraculous survival and the angel's intervention underscore themes of faith, destiny, and divine justice prevailing over danger.

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 04:50

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Whimsical Spiritual Awakenings like in Charley and the Angel

Stories where a celestial nudge sparks a heartfelt journey of personal redemption.If you liked the charming mix of fantasy and heartfelt redemption in Charley and the Angel, you'll enjoy these movies. This section features other films where a dose of divine or magical intervention leads to personal growth, blending gentle comedy with sincere, uplifting life lessons about family and second chances.

whimsicalhopefulheartwarmingredemptivespiritualfamily-orientedlighthearteduplifting

Narrative Summary

Narratives in this thread typically begin with a character stuck in a rut, often neglecting what truly matters. A fantastical messenger or event arrives, presenting an ultimatum or a new perspective that kickstarts a journey of self-improvement. The story unfolds through a mix of humor, mild adventure, and emotional moments as the character works to mend relationships and find their true priorities before a final, uplifting resolution.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their unique combination of a lighthearted, spiritual premise and a core theme of positive personal change. They share a consistent mood that balances whimsy with genuine emotional stakes, resulting in a comforting and optimistic viewing experience that feels both entertaining and meaningful.

Heartwarming Family Crisis and Reconciliation like in Charley and the Angel

Stories where a looming crisis brings a fractured family back together.Fans of Charley and the Angel will appreciate these similar stories of family reconciliation. Discover movies where a parent's wake-up call, whether from illness or another crisis, leads a family on an adventurous path to mend broken relationships and rediscover what truly matters, all with a heartwarming conclusion.

heartwarmingfamily-orientedredemptivenostalgicadventurousemotionalhopefulreconciliation

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a family, often with a distant or work-obsessed parent, whose equilibrium is disrupted by a significant event—such as a health scare or financial trouble. This crisis acts as a catalyst, pushing the family into an unexpected situation (like a caper or a journey) that requires them to work together. Through shared challenges, conflicts are resolved, neglected relationships are repaired, and the family emerges stronger and more united.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their focus on the familial bond as the central emotional core. They skillfully mix drama and light tension with heartfelt comedy, creating an experience that is both engaging and emotionally satisfying. The shared journey from dysfunction to harmony provides a consistent, rewarding narrative arc.

Unlock the Full Story of Charley and the Angel

Don't stop at just watching — explore Charley and the Angel in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Charley and the Angel is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Charley and the Angel Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Charley and the Angel, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Charley and the Angel Summary

Charley and the Angel Timeline

Track the full timeline of Charley and the Angel with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Charley and the Angel Timeline

Charley and the Angel Spoiler-Free Summary

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Charley and the Angel Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Charley and the Angel

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Charley and the Angel: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Charley and the Angel

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