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A day in the life of a pair of priests in a small suburban London community is the premise for Bless Me Father. Starring Arthur Lowe as Roman Catholic Father Duddleswell and Daniel Abineri as his young curate, the series is adapted from Peter de Rosas novels. Among the fine episodes included in this boxed set are "The Parish Bazaar," on volume 1, in which Duddleswell is convinced God will provide good weather for the annual fundraiser "The Seal of Confession," on volume 2, in which Duddleswell learns that confessions are being overheard and "The Tennis Match," on volume 3, in which a Catholic becomes Mayor and Duddleswell seeks his favor. Set in the early 1950s, this sitcom occasionally feels dated. If youre looking for a more modern British comedy with a similar theme, you may prefer The Vicar of Dibley, starring comedian Dawn French, or Irelands Ballykissangel, starring Stephen Tompkinson and Dervla Kirwan, might appeal, too. If you want to abandon religion altogether, Absolutely Fabulous, costarring Brits Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley, is wildly outrageous. --Cristina Del Sesto
Description
Based on Peter de Rosas uproarious novels about a small suburban London parish in the 1950s, this much-loved 70s classic has been hailed as one of the hidden gems in Britains sitcom archives. A handsome young priest learns the business from a crusty veteran whos all to human in his encounters with parishioners. Arthur Lowe as Father Duddleswell is the parish priest of every Catholics most nostalgic memories, fundamentally humane and caring--and a bit mischievous.
Rate Points :5.0
Binding :VHS Tape
Label :Acorn Media
Manufacturer :Acorn Media
ProductGroup :Video
Studio :Acorn Media
Publisher :Acorn Media
UPC :054961290536
EAN :9781569382905
Price :$39.99USD
Customer ReviewsAn excellent Britcom!
Rating Point :5 Helpful Point :0
This wonderful tape collection contains the first nine episodes of that wonderful show, Bless Me Father. The show was set in the 1950s, and stars veteran actor Arthur Lowe as Father Charles Clement Duddleswell, parish priest. Father Duddleswell is an irascible old fellow, and is used to getting his way. But, when he is given a newly minted curate (Daniel Abineri), he must take the young man by the hand and show him just how to be a parish priest.
This show is an excellent Britcom, one that is sure to please all lovers of good comedy. Yes, the show does feature a Catholic priest, and in this day and age you would expect the show to lampoon the Catholic Church. But, in fact the good fathers are presented as funny, but the show does not seem particularly disrespectful. Overall, I found this to be a very funny show, one that I highly recommend!
In case you are interested, here are the included episodes:
Baptism of Fire - Series 1, episode 1 - 24-Sep-78 - When Father Boyd shows up at St. Judes, ready to take his place as curate, he quickly learns that this job will be anything but easy.
The Bells of St. Judes - Series 1, episode 2 - 1-Oct-78 - When Father Duddleswell get a new bell for the church, he quickly uses it to wake up his sinful, late-sleeping neighbor. But, before you know it a holy war breaks out!
The Parish Bazaar - Series 1, episode 3 - 8-Oct-78 - When Father Duddleswell refuses to make plans for bad weather interfering with the churchs bazaar, does he have too much faith?
The Doomsday Chair - Series 1, episode 4 - 15-Oct-78 - Its time to put an end to the communitys superstitious belief that the local pub has a murderously magical chair, and Father Duddleswell is just the man to do it!
Father & Mother - Series 1, episode 5 - 22-Oct-78 - Father Duddleswell has been holding on to a painting, which was painted on the same canvas as a masterpiece. He wants to sell the painting, but doing so will bring him into conflict with a most formidable nun. Who will win?
The Tennis Match - Series 1, episode 6 - 29-Oct-78 - When the new Catholic mayor ropes Father Duddleswell into a tennis match against the Anglican clergy, he has to think of a way out!
The Seal of Confession - Series 1, episode 7 - 5-Nov-78 - When Father Neil proves to him that the churchs sound system and confessionals are in need of replacement, Father Duddleswell seeks to correct the problem sadly, the cure may be worse than the disease.
Blessings from Heaven - Series 2, episode 1 - 11-Nov-79 - When a woman of the Parish becomes pregnant, Father Duddleswell finds himself at war with Mother Superior over credit for the miracle.
Father Neils First Miracle - Series 2, episode 2 - 18-Nov-79 - When Father Duddleswell makes Father Neil the official Catholic Chaplain of the local hospital, his duties go beyond anything he could possibly have imagine!
Americans May Have Overlooked This Gem
Rating Point :5 Helpful Point :0
I am a fan of Britcoms, but other than the usual "Are You Being Served?" and "Yes, Minister" on PBS Saturday nights, I hadnt seen much. I found these tapes in a used book shop, and my husband and I thoroughly enjoyed them! It helps to be a bit of an Anglophile, in understanding the Catholic vs Protestant saga, and to remember that in Britain in the 50s, rationing was still the norm. The show is still very funny, as the characters hold up well in modern day Britain. Fr Duddleswell is a bit of a crotchety old priest, not immune to cheating a bit to get something. Fr Neil is his handsome, young new curate. Together with their housekeeper, a drunken doctor, and local oddities like the "cursed chair," it makes for a town Id want to visit!
British Comedy of Cleric at its Best
Rating Point :5 Helpful Point :4
When living in B.C., Canada, I discovered the joys of British TV comedy, and this was one of my favorites.
Fr. Duddleswell is such a perfect character, well playing up to his straight curate, Fr. Boyd. In between is the housemaid, Mrs. Pring and a cast of characters to boot.
Episodes to see from this set include a hilarious episode of Fr. D battling neighboring Billy Buzzle over noise. Its a stitch, including a cameo appearance by "Pontius" Billys black lab who is seated with the Bishop. The Doomsday Chair as well as the Baptism with Fire episodes testify to the good natured fun which the British are now famous for. We in the states should take our cue for what is really good in humor from this sophisticated great laughter producing stuff which doesnt have to resort to the gutter nor violent to keep ones attention.
Rating Point :5 Helpful Point :6
Set in a London suburb, an Irish Roman Catholic priest gains a thoroghly Engilsh, fresh faced curate hes not sure he wants. This series tells the tales of the life in the parish of St Judes (the patron of hopless cases) of Fr Duddleswell, the pp, Fr Neil, the curate and Mrs Pring the housekeeper. A series of antics reveals a parish priest who is a cunning and wylie, but with a thourougly pastoral heart. Anyone accociated with the Catholic Church will love it.
Great, CLEAN, humor suitable for everyone!
Rating Point :5 Helpful Point :1
You need not be British, Catholic or even Christian to enjoy these shows. They present the hilarious antics of Father Duddleswell as he confronts head on the various issues and problems (such as counseling and fund raising) of a small town cleric. As noted by other reviewers, Father Duddleswell is not above a wee bit of larceny to achieve his goals, but he is ALWAYS acting with the best interests of his flock in mind.
The interactions between Father Duddleswell and Mrs. Pring, his housekeeper, are alone worth the cost of the series as are those between the good Father and his Protestant neighbor. But there is so much more including his education of the young curate!
The acting is superb as is the casting. Add this to the fine writing and situations covered and you have a thoroughly enjoyable series!
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