Thursday, November 1, 2012

AS SEEN ON TV: FATHER DOWLING


FATHER FRANK DOWLING

AS SEEN IN:
'The Father Dowling Mysteries'

CREATED BY:
Ralph McInerny

PORTRAYED BY:
Tom Bosley

TV DIMENSION:
Earth Prime-Time

From Wikipedia:
'Father Dowling Mysteries' (also known as 'Father Dowling Investigates' in the UK) is an American television mystery series that aired from January 20, 1989 to May 2, 1991. Prior to the series, a TV movie aired on November 30, 1987. For its first season, the show was on NBC; it moved to ABC for its last two seasons. It is based on the adventures of the title character created by Ralph McInerny, in a series of mystery novels.

The series was produced by Viacom Productions (now known as CBS Television Studios).

Father Frank Dowling is a Catholic priest who continually stumbles over murders, abductions, and other high crimes in his hometown, Chicago, Illinois. He is assisted by Sister Stephanie "Steve" Oskowski, who does much of the legwork for Frank. Sister Steve is a streetwise nun who grew up in a rough housing project nearby, so she can hotwire a car and handle firearms with ease. She knows the language of the streets and converses in it fluently.

Father Philip Prestwick is the ladder-climbing assistant to the Archbishop, who just happens to drop in before meals, prepared by housekeeper Marie Murkin, who provides comic relief.

Father Dowling has a brother, Blaine, who, although they are different ages, looks exactly like him (also played by Tom Bosley). Blaine appeared in only three episodes: "The Face in the Mirror Mystery," "The Woman Scorned Mystery," and "The Fugitive Priest Mystery." Blaine Dowling is a thief and con artist who isn't above framing his brother for his crimes.

A famous catchphrase of Father Dowling is when he is recorded asking Father Phil: "Father Phil, could you take 10 o'clock Mass? I've got a murder to solve."

[Today's ASOTV showcase is dedicated to Father Robert Tucker of the St. Anthony of Padua parish in Litchfield, Ct., who once spared a quarter for an old altar boy......]

BCnU!

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