1 9 7 8 – 1 9 8 1 (UK)
21 x 30 minute episodes
When newly ordained young curate Father Neil Boyd (Daniel Abineri) comes to the London parish of St Jude’s, he discovers that nothing in the seminary could have prepared him for crusty old Father Duddleswell (Arthur Lowe) – a robust and cheerful eccentric, who has been the parish priest for many years.
Neil is befuddled when Duddleswell insists that as well as the usual virtues of patience, love and charity, a parish priest must have sagacity, and both the reserve and resourcefulness of a poker player.
His confusion increases when Duddleswell and his housekeeper of twenty years, Mrs Pring (Gabrielle Daye), start hurling insults at each other.
Fresh from his success in Dad’s Army, Arthur Lowe chalked up another success as the mischievous Father Duddleswell.
With subtle and witty scripts from Peter de Rosa (based on his experiences as a novice curate), Bless Me Father is a gem of a comedy programme, with Lowe at his best.
Father Charles Clement Duddleswell
Arthur Lowe
Father Neil Boyd
Daniel Abineri
Mrs Pring
Gabrielle Daye
Mother Stephen
Sheila Keith
PC Johnny Downes
Daniel Gerroll
Billy Buzzle
David Ryall
Episodes
Baptism of Fire | The Bell of St Jude’s | The Parish Bazaar | The Doomsday Chair | Father and Mother | The Tennis Match | The Seal of Confession || Blessings from Heaven | Father Neil’s First Miracle | Fatal Lady | The Heart of a Curate | All at Sea | The Season of Goodwill | A Back to Front Wedding || Things Are Not What They Seem | Women | Beddings and Weddings | Fire & Brimstone | A Legend Comes to Stay | Porgy and Bess | A Mixed-Up Marriage