This is a wonderful series for those who enjoy “gentle humor.” The series is about a priest who has been at his parish for many years and now has to train a very young curate in the ways of the church. I must add, it is not a mystery, but it does have “a coziness” about it.
It is set in the 1950s, and there is a lot of friendly competition between the older priest and the Protestant pastors. I say “friendly” because there is nothing in this show that is objectionable. Although, at first sight, Father Duddleswell (the older priest) seems to be an old, cantankerous codger, you soon see that beyond the public persona there is another side of the man… who truly cares for his parishioners and is flexible enough that he can bend strict rules when he sees that they need bending.
Mrs. Pring, his housekeeper of many years is a treat to watch, as she banters with Father Duddleswell. They act as if they don’t like each other, but you can see that they have a long history of mutual antagonizing and caring. There is not even a hint of a past romantic liaison between them, which is a very refreshing thing about the Bless Me Father series.
The secondary characters are also fun to meet…….. I think that Mother Superior is a hoot! She is able to keep Father Duddleswell in his place…… which is invariably is a few rungs under her!
Father Duddleswell has one particular friend who he can relate to…… the always-smoking, usually-drinking doctor… another really good character. And, the church’s closest neighbor (who just happens to be an agnostic) owns a bar and has never said no to placing a bet. He is yet another character who will delight you.
My husband and I watched Bless Me, Father series while our children were both away at college, and we have since then given them the series so that they too can enjoy the fun.
(I should say that although this has the feeling of the BBC shows that we have enjoyed for years on PBS, it is actually made by LWT – London Weekend Television.)
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PaulD says
You should try to find the original books by Neil Boyd that these programmes are based upon, I suspect they may be out of print now however.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Paul, I just found them!
Bless Me, Father Series by Neil Boyd
Bless Me, Father ’77
A Father before Christmas ’78
Father in a Fix ’79
Father Under Fire ’80
Bless Me Again, Father ’81
Julia says
I only read the first book in the series, but my family and I really enjoyed the television show when it used to run on PBS. This was my introduction to British comedies, and by and large any subsequent BritComs I have watched since have been because this was such a quality example of the genre.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Julia, I haven’t watched Bless Me, Father for a while, but still remember it as being one of the better comedies. The British know how to do television!
Joppy says
And Arthur Lowe (Father Duddleswell) is the chap who played Captain Manwairing in the long running, still repeated, always top of the charts, show ‘Dads Army’, which may not have caught on in the US, as it has a very parochial (UK) cozy style.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Joppy, I never hear of Dad’s Army, but I see it ran for quite a few years in Great Britain.
Joppy says
Just in case you don’t know about ‘Dad’s Army’. It was a series so long running that the first episodes were black and white, based on the war efforts of Britain’s Volunteer Home Guard, people with everyday civilian jobs, usually too old or too young to join up, who guarded our country from invasion in the early stages of World War 2. Based around the activities of the Walmington on sea platoon on the south coast along with their ever present competition the Air Raid Warden as they both tried to use the Church Hall for their duties. Starring a line-up of character actors from stage, screen and TV, such as John Laurie (we’re all doomed), John Le Mesurier (do you think that’s wise sir?), Clive Dunn (don’t panic) and Arthur Lowe (stupid boy) the series has been repeated regularly and tops polls all the time, even getting onto the big screen. I believe the US tried to do a version, but the country didn’t have the right historical setting. The series has a fan base web site, and is well worth seeking out, especially if you are an anglophile.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Thank you, Joppy, I didn’t know anything about Dad’s Army. Thanks for telling us about it.
Kim says
The writer for the series was listed as Peter La Rosa (i.e. the original Neil Boyd). But I can’t find anything that he did beyond 1981. Does anyone know what happened to him? The scripts and subsequent books were delightful