S01E01 Baptism of Fire
Father Duddleswell welcomes his new curate, the recently ordained Father Neil, with a teasing baptism of fire, which opens the young priest's eyes to the complex nature of his parish duties and responsibilities.
Bless Me Father
S01E05: Father & Mother
Father Duddleswell accidentally damages the hideous portrait of the founder of the local convent, uncovering a concealed French masterpiece.
Overview
Bless Me Father is a British sitcom starring Arthur Lowe, Daniel Abineri, Gabrielle Daye, Patrick McAlinney, David Ryall, Derek Francis and Sheila Keith. It was aired on ITV from 1978 until 1981 and described the adventures of an Irish Catholic priest, Father Charles Duddleswell and his young curate in the fictional parish of St. Jude's in suburban London. 21 episodes, written by Peter De Rosa, were aired. De Rosa wrote the books on which the series was based using the pseudonym of Neil Boyd which was also the name of the young curate character; Boyd also served as the narrator in the series of novels upon which the series was based. It was made for the ITV network by London Weekend Television.
The series was set in 1950 and 1951 and marked a departure from the middle class 'bank manager' roles associated with Lowe such as that in Dad's Army. The other regular characters included Mrs Pring, the housekeeper, the hard-drinking Dr Daley, the non-religious neighbour Billy Buzzle, and abbess Reverend Mother Stephen.
Episodes
S01E03 The Parish Bazaar
Father Duddleswell refuses to make bad-weather plans for the annual bazaar.
S01E04 The Doomsday Chair
Father Duddleswell decides to disprove the curse of a doomsday chair.
S01E05 Father & Mother
Father Duddleswell accidentally damages the hideous portrait of the founder of the local convent, uncovering a concealed French masterpiece.
S01E06 The Tennis Match
Father Duddleswell enters a tennis match against the Anglican clergy.
S01E07 The Seal of Confession
Father Neil tries to modernize with a P.A. system and soundproof confessionals.
Cast
Arthur Lowe
Father Charles Clement Duddleswell
Daniel Abineri
Father Neil Boyd
Patrick McAlinney
Dr. Daley
Gabrielle Daye
Mrs. Pring
David Ryall
Billy Buzzle
Sheila Keith
Mother Stephen
