The 70s made a kid spy flick with zero budget and 100% chaotic energy.
A 13-year-old brainiac invents an ingenious listening device, which he uses to bring a crooked city official and his pals to justice
Practical Effects
Alvin's homemade spy gear looks like actual garbage. It's magnificent.
Acting
John Fiedler brings nervous energy that steals every scene he's in.
Production
Shot on the Disney backlot with that unmistakable 70s TV glow.
Director
Tom Leetch
Edward Andrews
Mayor Massey
John Fiedler
Charles Blackburn
Lonny Chapman
Fred Benson
Eric Shea
Alvin Fernald
Clay O'Brien
Shoie
Kim Richards
Daphne 'Daffy' Fernald
Ted Gehring
Doyle Reager
Lynn Borden
Miss Pinkney
Claude Johnson
Mr. Fernald
Maudie Prickett
Mrs. Hundley
George O'Hanlon
Herb Evans
Molly Dodd
Mrs. Blake
Hal Smith
Ed Haskins
Dick Wilson
Mr. Hodges
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This was one of three Disney TV movies starring Eric Shea as Alvin Fernald, based on the popular children's books by Clifford B. Hicks. The franchise died because Shea aged out of 'whiz kid' real fast.
The 'kid detective' trope peaked here before Stranger Things made it moody again. This was pure sunshine suburban paranoia—the Watergate era filtered through a child's bicycle basket.
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