Insight Packy (1960–1984) Online

The timelessness of Newhart and Klugman hook viewers in right away. We use this movie to encourage the discussion of an higher power in 12 step recovery groups. This film predates "OH God" and "Evan Almighty." It anthropromorphizes the supreme being, not on earth and not in heaven. The movie is respectful of God. We've used it for 20 years and rarely offend a viewer. Some very conservative Christians have been scandalized and accused us of blaspheming. Just recently a gentleman who described himself as a secular Buddist became argumentative during a discussion of the film. It uses less than 30 minutes to make its point. It is sentimental. I tear up and cry when I watch it.

Can't bring myself to erase my Betamax copy of this gem (yes, I still have a Betamax and an auto-reverse Laser Disc Player to watch The 12 Chairs and Scorchers and others that didn't make DVD) Klugman as a small-time talent agent who never did anything notable but consistently treated his acquaintances as human beings...

Will God, with the "beatific" smile,(NEWHART), let him in?

These Paulist production gems illuminated very difficult moral choices. The one with Elizabeth Ashley and Bill Bixby as parents with a child who is clearly the victim of abuse was also top notch.

Andrew Duggan as a smug high-end suburban type thinking he is being progressive by selling his McMansion to a black couple, only to find the only reason they want to be there is the schools, not the neighbors.