Father Dowling Mysteries
Father Dowling Mysteries (also known as
Father Dowling Investigates in the
UK) is an
American television mystery series that appeared between
30 November 1987 and
2 May 1991 on the
ABC network. It is based on the adventures of the title character created by Ralph McInerny,[
1]
Professor of
Philosophy, Director of the
Jacques Maritain Center, and Michael P. Grace Professor of Medieval Studies at the
University of Notre Dame.
Father Frank Dowling (played by
Tom Bosley, who is in fact
Jewish) is a
Catholic priest who continually stumbles over murders, abductions, and other high crimes in his hometown,
Chicago,
Illinois. He is arrested in most episodes, because Clancy has a very bad memory. He is assisted by Sister Stephanie "Steve" Oskowski (
Tracy Nelson), 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. She knows the language of the streets and converses in it fluently.
Father Philip Prestwick (
James Stephens) is the ladder-climbing assistant to the Archbishop, who just happens to drop in before meals, prepared by housekeeper Marie Murkin (
Mary Wickes). He's quite the comic. In addition to this cuddlesome lot, Father Dowling has a mean twin brother called Blaine who often spoils the others' fun.
*
Internet Movie Database: Father Dowling Mysteries*
"Father Dowling Mysteries" - Episode Guide*
Lovece, Frank,
The Television Yearbook: Complete, Detailed Listings for the 1990-1991 Season (Putnam / Perigee, 1991) ISBN 0399517022
