Network is pleased to announce the release of sitcom Bless Me, Father, starring Arthur Lowe at his most eccentric and energetic best, in this show which was the inspiration for religious comedies like Father Ted and Vicar of Dibley. This 3-disc set is on sale now, at £24.99 RRP.
This series appeared on ITV (made by LWT) within a year of Dad's Army finishing on the BBC, and Arthur Lowe swapped Khaki for The Cloth to play Father Charles Duddleswell in the suburban London parish of St Jude's, Fairwater. The series was adapted by Peter De Rosa from his series of books, written using the nom de plume of Neil Boyd, and based on his own experiences as a novice curate. It is no surprise then that the series revolves around a newly ordained young priest, Neil Boyd, who comes to St Jude's and discovers that nothing in the seminary could have prepared him for Father Duddleswell – 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 start hurling insults at each other…
Arthur Lowe chalked up another success as the mischievous Father Duddleswell, and the series, Bless Me, Father is a classic comedy that has been sadly overlooked until now. To celebrate the release of the entire series by Network DVD I have a copy of the set to give away and to be in with a chance of winning, I would like to know the answer to one simple question:
What was the parish which Father Duddleswell was priest?
Answers should be sent here with BLESS in the header, and don't forget to include the correct answer, your name, your address, and a contact telephone number.
And now for the small print: The competition closes at midnight on the 27th August and the winners will be advised as soon as they are pulled from the virtual hat. The competition is only open to UK residents, no correspondence will be entered into and the judges decision is final (so there). The British Comedy and Drama Website is not responsible for the prizes and are running the competition on behalf of third parties.
:: Series 1
Originally broadcast on ITV of a Sunday evening at 9.15pm.
| Title | Synopsis | Original Tx. Date |
|---|---|---|
| Baptism of Fire | Neil and Father Duddleswell visit the maternity home, to pass on advice on the best way to baptise babies | 24.9.78 |
| The Bells of St. Jude’s | Father Duddleswell disapproves strongly of the activities of his neighbour, Billy Buzzle, a bookmaker who also runs a night club. | 1.10.78 |
| The Parish Bazaar | Casting caution to the winds, Father Duddleswell refuses to consider the eventuality of bad weather for the annual bazaar | 8.10.78 |
| The Doomsday Chair | In one of the pubs in Father Duddleswell’s parish is the Doomsday Chair – it is reputed that whoever sits in it will die within the week. | 15.10.78 |
| Father & Mother | While searching in the attic of his home for a vase, Father Duddleswell accidentally damages a picture which is stored there. | 22.10.78 |
| The Tennis Match | It’s a clash of faiths when Father Duddleswell takes part in a tennis match. His opponents – the Anglican clergy! | 29.10.78 |
| The Seal of Confession | Neil warns Father Duddleswell that because the confessionals at St. Jude’s are so old and flimsy, secret confessions can be overheard by anybody in the church. | 5.11.78 |
:: Series 2
Originally broadcast on ITV of a Sunday evening around 9.00pm.
| Title | Synopsis | Original Tx. Date |
|---|---|---|
| Blessings from Heaven | Father Duddleswell is convinced that his bottle of holy water has performed a miracle, a miracle he refuses to share… | 11.11.79 |
| Father Neil’s First Miracle | Father Duddleswell decides that Neil is ready for fresh responsibilities and makes him official Catholic Chaplain to the local hospital. | 18.11.79 |
| Fatal Lady | Father Duddleswell is delighted that the wealthy Catholic lady Miss Davenport has returned and looks forward to a flow of generous donations. | 25.11.79 |
| The Heart of a Curate | Neil has to have his appendix removed, and Father Duddleswell is perturbed to note that Neil’s nurse is young and extremely attractive. | 9.12.79 |
| All at Sea | A seaman dies in a rest home for sailors near St. Jude’s, but the man who runs the home is not sure whether Driscoll was a Catholic or a protestant. | 16.12.79 |
| The Season of Goodwill | Father Duddleswell is consumed with the Christmas spirit. As housekeeper Mrs. Pring comments: “When he’s bad he’s hard enough to live with, but when he’s good he’s awful.” | 23.12.79 |
| A Back to Front Wedding | Father Duddleswell marries at least forty couples a year. But every so often he makes a mistake… | 6.1.80 |
:: Series 3
Originally broadcast on ITV of a Sunday evening at 8.45pm.
| Title | Synopsis | Original Tx. Date |
|---|---|---|
| Things are not What They seem | Father Neil becomes the subject of local gossip when he’s found to have given advice to a woman encountering martial issues. | 5.7.81 |
| Women | Father Duddleswell is being bothered by Mother Stephen, who wants to put a relic of her convent’s patron saint in St. Jude’s parish church. | 12.7.81 |
| Beddings and Weddings | Acting against Duddleswell’s advice, Neil starts a family group so that married couples can meet with him to discuss their problems. | 19.7.81 |
| Fire & Brimstone | On hearing the catechism of the local Catholic school, Neil notices that a little boy is in tear. | 26.7.81 |
| A Legend Comes to Stay | Father Duddleswell plays host to a legendary eccentric who, despite being almost incapacitated, is still a force to be reckoned with! | 2.8.81 |
| Porgy & Bess | Unable to bear the smell, Father Duddleswell kidnaps two pigs – Porgy and Bess – from Billy Buzzle, who won them in a bet. | 9.8.81 |
| A Mixed-Up Marriage | Father Duddleswell comes into conflict with Rabbi Rosen when they both have to deal with a mixed faith couple who want to get married. | 16.8.81 |