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List of Father Dowling Mysteries episodes

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This is a list of episodes for the television series Father Dowling Mysteries.

Series overview

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All three seasons and the TV-movie have been released on DVD by Paramount Home Video.[1]

SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast airedNetwork
TV-movieNovember 30, 1987 (1987-11-30)NBC
18January 20, 1989 (1989-01-20)March 10, 1989 (1989-03-10)
213January 4, 1990 (1990-01-04)April 26, 1990 (1990-04-26)ABC
322September 20, 1990 (1990-09-20)May 2, 1991 (1991-05-02)

TV-movie (1987)

[edit]
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateRating/share
(households)
Fatal ConfessionChristopher HiblerDonald E. WestlakeNovember 30, 1987 (1987-11-30)15.5/24[2]
Father Frank Dowling is a priest with a penchant for solving mysteries. He has to solve the mystery of a young man who's obsessed with finding his natural parents: when the man steps out onto the ledge of a building, threatening to jump unless he's told who his parents are, Father Dowling is called to try and talk him down; unfortunately the man falls, and it looks like he may have been murdered.

Episodes

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Season 1 (1989)

[edit]
No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateUS viewers
(millions)
11"The Missing Body Mystery: Parts 1 & 2"Christopher HiblerRob GilmerJanuary 20, 1989 (1989-01-20)21.2[3]
22
A mystery man dies in Father Dowling's confessional. Frank calls the police, but when they arrive the body is gone. Investigating, Frank discovers that the FBI is somehow involved. A two-part mystery.
33"The What Do You Call a Call Girl Mystery"Charles S. DubinRobert HamiltonJanuary 27, 1989 (1989-01-27)21.4[4]
A woman of the parish tells her fiancé of her past as a call girl, and is promptly murdered. It's up to Father Frank and Sister Steve to discover whether it was the fiancé, or perhaps a former client, who killed her.
44"The Man Who Came to Dinner Mystery"Alan CookeDiana Kopald MarcusFebruary 10, 1989 (1989-02-10)20.8[5]
Sister Steve's ex-boyfriend, Jack, witnesses a murder; but when the cops arrive the victim is alive and well. Jack seeks out Sister Steve for help.
55"The Mafia Priest Mystery: Part 1"Charles S. DubinRobert HamiltonFebruary 17, 1989 (1989-02-17)17.2[6]
Father Dowling is caught up in a bizarre mystery when he attempts to prove a fellow priest, a guest at the Rectory, innocent of murder. In the first of a two-part story, he makes the startling discovery that the young priest's family is connected to organized crime.
66"The Mafia Priest Mystery: Part 2"Charles S. DubinRobert HamiltonFebruary 24, 1989 (1989-02-24)17.6[7]
Undeterred by appearances, Father Dowling sets out to prove the young priest innocent of murder, discovering he has been framed by a member of his own family. But when the real assassin is himself killed, Frank must rely on a family member who is afraid to tell the truth.
77"The Face in the Mirror Mystery"Alan CookeRobert HamiltonMarch 3, 1989 (1989-03-03)17.8[8]
When the good Father's evil twin brother Blaine (Tom Bosley in a dual role) shows up unexpectedly, Frank suspects right away that Blaine is up to no good. After thwarting his brother's attempted diamond heist, Father Dowling finds himself in hot water when he discovers the police can't tell the two brothers apart.
88"The Pretty Baby Mystery"Charles S. DubinStory by : Susan Woollen
Teleplay by : Robert Hamilton		March 10, 1989 (1989-03-10)16.9[9]
A distraught woman leaves her baby at the church. Father Frank and Sister Steve track her down, but things don't add up: when they find the woman, she claims she never had a baby.

Season 2 (1990)

[edit]
No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateUS viewers
(millions)
91"The Visiting Priest Mystery"Christopher HiblerDavid Hoffman & Leslie Daryl ZergJanuary 4, 1990 (1990-01-04)18.5[10]
Father Dowling and Sister Steve are taken in by a fake priest. "Father" Damon is actually a hit man, apparently sent to kill aging mob boss Victor Malko. Father Dowling tries to warn Malko, but he won't take the warning seriously. And in consequence Father Dowling's own life is in jeopardy.
102"The Exotic Dancer Mystery"Christopher HiblerStory by : Dean Hargrove and Joyce Burditt
Teleplay by : Robert Schlitt		January 11, 1990 (1990-01-11)18.1[11]
An exotic dancer confesses to Frank that she saw something she shouldn't have, at the nightclub where she works, then turns up murdered. Sister Steve becomes a card dealer in the nightclub to look for clues.
113"The Sanctuary Mystery"Christopher HiblerStory by : Jim McGrath
Teleplay by : Robert Schlitt		January 18, 1990 (1990-01-18)16.4[12]
Sister Steve's brother Mark witnesses a murder, but the police accuse him of the crime. When Mark tries to finger the real killer — Police Chief Hayton — he may become Hayton's next victim.
124"The Stone Killer Mystery"Ron SatlofStory by : Doc Barnett
Teleplay by : Jim McGrath		January 25, 1990 (1990-01-25)18.0[13]
Someone is shooting everyone who was associated with the Gallagher trial, eight years previously, in which Father Frank was a principal witness. But Frank isn't convinced it's Gallagher.
135"The Woman Scorned Mystery"Seymour RobbieRichard DeRoyFebruary 1, 1990 (1990-02-01)17.5[14]
Father Frank's crooked twin is at it again. Frank gets involved when the woman his brother Blaine has conned turns up dead.
146"The Ghost of a Chance Mystery"Charles S. DubinRobert SchlittFebruary 8, 1990 (1990-02-08)16.0[15]
A parishioner is being haunted by the ghost of her dead father. Frank, Steve, and even Father Prestwick, get involved in trying to find out who is terrorizing the woman — and why.
157"The Blind Man's Bluff Mystery"Russ MayberryJoyce BurdittFebruary 15, 1990 (1990-02-15)18.2[16]
Sister Steve witnesses a bank robbery by a supposedly blind man who she has befriended, and becomes an unwitting accomplice in his scheme to blackmail a prominent parishioner.
168"The Falling Angel Mystery"James FrawleyDean Hargrove & Joyce BurditFebruary 22, 1990 (1990-02-22)15.9[17]
A black man visits Father Dowling's church claiming to be an Angel. He says someone is going to be taken before their time, and that it's up to Frank to prevent it. Frank thinks it has to do with a parishioner who owes a favor to a crime boss. James McEachin as Michael Moore.
179"The Perfect Couple Mystery"Ron SatlofDoc BarnettMarch 8, 1990 (1990-03-08)17.5[18]
A young couple's marriage is on the rocks when the wife is sure her husband is cheating. When she turns to Frank for help, the husband swears he isn't having an affair, but he can't disclose what he has actually been up to.
1810"The Confidence Mystery"James FrawleyGerry ConwayMarch 15, 1990 (1990-03-15)16.2[19]
A con artist has his eye on a valuable church receptacle that Father Prestwick is taking to Romania; he'll stop at nothing to get his hands on the monstrance, even if he has to permanently inconvenience Prestwick. It's up to Father Dowling and Sister Steve to put a cap on the con.
1911"The Solid Gold Headache Mystery"Charles S. DubinRichard DeRoyMarch 29, 1990 (1990-03-29)16.5[20]
Sister Stephanie is entrusted with six million dollars in the will of a deceased parishioner. Everyone, including the man's family, wants the money — and may be willing to do anything to get it.
2012"The Legacy Mystery"Russ MayberryStory by : Dean Hargrove & Joyce Burditt
Teleplay by : Gerry Conway		April 4, 1990 (1990-04-04)14.5[21]
A mysterious thief is methodically stealing the art treasures that once belonged to the wealthy Cabot family, and Father Dowling has an inkling the thief might be the surviving son, Jonathan. The only question is, why would a rich businessman take the risk of stealing the paintings when he could easily afford to buy them outright?
2113"The Passionate Painter Mystery"Seymour RobbieDoc Barnett and David Hoffman & Leslie Daryl ZergApril 26, 1990 (1990-04-26)13.0[22]
The church has hired an eccentric painter to retouch the frescoes. He turns out to be an abusive drunk and Sister Stephanie has no patience or pity for him, as he reminds her too much of her own father. But she and Father Frank must come to his aid when his studio blows up.

Season 3 (1990–91)

[edit]
No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateUS viewers
(millions)
221"The Royal Mystery"Christopher HiblerGerry ConwaySeptember 20, 1990 (1990-09-20)15.1[23]
Sister Stephanie trades places with her double, Lady Cara (also played by Tracy Nelson), a minor member of the British Royal family, who is visiting Chicago with a trade delegation headed by David McCallum, unaware that Cara is the target of a mystery assassin.
232"The Medical Mystery"James FrawleyJeri TaylorSeptember 27, 1990 (1990-09-27)13.3[24]
While Father Dowling is in the hospital for minor surgery, he becomes convinced that the patient in the next bed has been murdered. While investigating, he uncovers a much bigger secret.
243"The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea Mystery"Christopher HiblerDean Hargrove & Joyce BurdittOctober 4, 1990 (1990-10-04)15.2[25]
When most people look at Harry Deil, they see one of the most powerful men in underworld crime. Father Dowling sees something even more sinister: the Devil. Father Dowling must beat him at his own game in order to save the soul of Sister Steve.
254"The Showgirl Mystery"Christopher HiblerJames H. Brown & Barbara EsenstenOctober 18, 1990 (1990-10-18)14.1[26]

A showy showgirl in a shady nightclub is surprised to discover her late husband's estate consists of nothing but debts. Or is she the victim of a scam to deprive her of a small fortune? The investigation reveals a motley crew of underworld suspects for Father Dowling and Sister Steve.

Guest stars: Bill Macy
265"The Movie Mystery"James FrawleyStory by : Gerry Conway
Teleplay by : William Conway and Gerry Conway		October 25, 1990 (1990-10-25)14.4[27]
Hollywood is shooting a new TV show at the church, in which a priest and a nun solve crimes. When a series of life-threatening accidents occur, Father Dowling and Sister Steve are enlisted to assist in the investigation.
276"The Undercover Nun Mystery"James FrawleyStory by : Dean Hargrove & Joyce Burditt
Teleplay by : Joyce Burditt		November 1, 1990 (1990-11-01)14.2[28]
Sister Steve's return to her convent to celebrate the Mother Superior's silver jubilee should be a time of great joy. But shortly after arriving, she discovers a nun with a gun, who turns out to be an undercover FBI agent. When the agent is found murdered, an innocent man is wrongly arrested for the crime.
287"The Murder Weekend Mystery"Harry HarrisGerry ConwayNovember 8, 1990 (1990-11-08)15.8[29]

Father Dowling is invited to a murder mystery weekend at the home of a famous mystery writer. His investigative skills are put to the test when their host himself is murdered.

Guest stars: David Warner
298"The Reasonable Doubt Mystery"Robert ScheererStory by : Brian Clemens
Teleplay by : Brian Clemens and Gerry Conway		November 15, 1990 (1990-11-15)15.4[30]
Father Dowling is serving as a juror, but has doubts about the testimony of a witness. Dissatisfied with the questions the District Attorney has failed to ask, Frank sets out to re-investigate the case himself, sending Sister Steve undercover in the witness's business, a New-Age bookstore, to learn what he's hiding.
309"The Vanishing Victim Mystery"Seymour RobbieRobert SchlittNovember 29, 1990 (1990-11-29)15.6[31]
Father Dowling stumbles into a kidnapping plot when he befriends a young woman, the heiress to a large brewing fortune, who promptly disappears. Fearing the worst, Sister Steve signs on as the family's new maid to try to find out what happened to the girl.
3110"The Christmas Mystery"James FrawleyBrian ClemensDecember 13, 1990 (1990-12-13)17.0[32]
Following a murder attempt on a woman who has left her child in the temporary care of Father Dowling, the search for the assassin leads to a department store on Christmas Eve.
3211"The Fugitive Priest Mystery"James FrawleyMichael ReavesJanuary 3, 1991 (1991-01-03)16.3[33]
Trouble for Father Dowling when his evil twin brother reappears. Blaine impersonates Frank to frame him for a bank robbery, turning Father Dowling himself into a fugitive. Blaine has the perfect alibi: he's in jail, on a minor charge. The only way for Frank to clear his name is to masquerade as his brother, in order to track down Blaine's underworld associates.
3312"The Substitute Sister Mystery"Charles S. DubinStory by : Gerry Conway and Brian Clemens
Teleplay by : Gerry Conway		January 10, 1991 (1991-01-10)[34]15.4[35]
Father Dowling and Sister Steve are caught up in a battle of the bugs, when warring exterminators clash at the Rectory over franchise rights. The plot is thickened by a fake Nun (with mob connections) who is calling herself "Sister Steve", a real hitman (intent on murdering "Sister Steve"), and a mobster who will do anything (even endanger the real Sister Steve) in order to save his daughter.
3413"The Missing Witness Mystery"Christopher HiblerStory by : Lincoln Kibbee and Brian Clemens
Teleplay by : Lincoln Kibbee		January 24, 1991 (1991-01-24)[36]14.9[37]
Sister Steve disguises herself as a call girl to track down a missing witness who can clear the name of a young businessman charged with murder. But was he really framed, or is he actually guilty? Father Dowling is uncertain.
3514"The Prodigal Son Mystery"James FrawleyStory by : Dean Hargrove & Joyce Burditt
Teleplay by : Jack Burditt		January 31, 1991 (1991-01-31)15.1[38]
A man Father Dowling has never met turns up at the Church, claiming to be his son, but disappears before Dowling can question him. Then his would-be son is charged with murder.
3615"The Moving Target Mystery"Robert ScheererStory by : Dean Hargrove & Joyce Burditt and Brian Clemens
Teleplay by : Joyce Burditt		February 7, 1991 (1991-02-07)14.7[39]
A contract killer has a change of heart when he discovers the intended victim, Father Dowling, is a priest. He warns Frank that someone else is certain to accept the contract. Now it's up to Father Dowling to figure out who wants him dead, and what their interest is in the photos he took at the parish picnic.
3716"The Priest Killer Mystery"David MoessingerStory by : Gerry Conway and Brian Clemens
Teleplay by : Gerry Conway		February 14, 1991 (1991-02-14)15.1[40]

When a rooftop sniper almost kills Father Dowling, Sister Steve goes undercover as a cab driver, hoping to flush out the would-be assassin.

Guest stars: John Astin
3817"The Mummy's Curse Mystery"James FrawleyMichael ReavesFebruary 21, 1991 (1991-02-21)14.4[41]
While visiting the Chicago Museum to take in a new exhibit, Father Dowling and Sister Steve encounter an ancient Egyptian curse. Father Prestwick becomes its next victim when he attempts to uncover the deadly secret of the Pharaoh's burial chamber.
3918"The Monkey Business Mystery"Peter EllisDoc BarnettMarch 7, 1991 (1991-03-07)14.4[42]
Father Dowling and Sister Steve go out on a limb when she kidnaps a chimp accused of murdering an animal activist. The "killer" chimp will be put down, unless they can prove it has been framed.
4019"The Hardboiled Mystery"James FrawleyStory by : Robert Schlitt and Michael Reaves
Teleplay by : Michael Reaves		March 28, 1991 (1991-03-28)13.1[43]

An author who used Father Dowling and Steve as characters in his murder mystery novel (they appear in flashbacks as the hard-boiled characters in the book) dies without completing it. Frank is sure the novel is based on a real crime and contains a clue to its solution.

Guest stars: Kevin McCarthy
4120"The Malibu Mystery"Christopher HiblerStory by : Wayne Berwick
Teleplay by : Wayne Berwick & Gerry Conway		April 4, 1991 (1991-04-04)14.3[44]
Father Dowling is in Los Angeles on the trail of a runaway teenager, who's taking a walk on the wild side of L.A.'s night life.
4221"The Consulting Detective Mystery"Sharron MillerStory by : Dean Hargrove and Gerry Conway
Teleplay by : Gerry Conway		April 25, 1991 (1991-04-25)13.0[45]
It's difficult to tell who's consulting with who when Sherlock Holmes comes to the aid of Father Dowling. The pair prove an unbeatable team, when they put their powers of deduction to the supreme test, as eyewitnesses to multiple murders. There's only one snag: no one other than Dowling can actually see Mr Holmes!
4322"The Joyful Noise Mystery"Bob BralverStory by : Dean Hargrove & Joyce Burditt
Teleplay by : Joyce Burditt		May 2, 1991 (1991-05-02)11.5[46]

The local District Attorney's office is home to bullets and ballots as deadly rivals battle for power. One man is already dead and an innocent boy has been charged with murder. Father Dowling tries to expose the real killer before a political rally becomes a blood bath.

Guest stars: Bruce A. Young

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Father Dowling Mysteries Archived 2013-01-17 at the Wayback Machine at TVShowsOnDVD.com
  2. ^ "Nielsen ratings". Life. USA Today. December 9, 1987. p. 3D. ProQuest 305967958.
  3. ^ "NBC scores super ratings". Life. USA Today. January 25, 1989. p. 3D. ProQuest 306147740.
  4. ^ "Midseason entries boost NBC". Life. USA Today. February 1, 1989. p. 3D. ProQuest 306144802.
  5. ^ "CBS gallops to a tie with NBC". Life. USA Today. February 15, 1989. p. 3D. ProQuest 306163263.
  6. ^ "NBC's back alone on top". Life. USA Today. February 22, 1989. p. 3D. ProQuest 306175741.
  7. ^ "CBS up despite Grammy drop". Life. USA Today. March 1, 1989. p. 3D. ProQuest 306152931.
  8. ^ "Hit-and-miss program changes". Life. USA Today. March 8, 1989. p. 3D. ProQuest 306184202.
  9. ^ "NBC, in front with 'Left Behind'". Life. USA Today. March 15, 1989. p. 3D. ProQuest 306172200.
  10. ^ "Football fumbles for ABC". Life. USA Today. January 10, 1990. p. 3D.
  11. ^ "49ers are ratings winners, too". Life. USA Today. January 17, 1990. p. 3D.
  12. ^ "A 'Grand' entrance for NBC". Life. USA Today. January 24, 1990. p. 3D.
  13. ^ "AMA gets the popular vote". Life. USA Today. January 31, 1990. p. 3D.
  14. ^ "'Amen,' wedded to ratings win". Life. USA Today. February 7, 1990. p. 3D.
  15. ^ "'Faith' abides for No. 1 NBC". Life. USA Today. February 14, 1990. p. 3D.
  16. ^ "'Home Videos' a hit for ABC". Life. USA Today. February 21, 1990. p. 3D.
  17. ^ "'Videos' is a repeat winner". Life. USA Today. February 28, 1990. p. 3D.
  18. ^ "A week of ratings shake-ups". Life. USA Today. March 14, 1990. p. 3D.
  19. ^ "'Simpsons' soars for No. 4 Fox". Life. USA Today. March 21, 1990. p. 3D.
  20. ^ "ABC gets an Oscar boost". Life. USA Today. April 4, 1990. p. 3D.
  21. ^ "ABC claims rare Sunday win". Life. USA Today. April 11, 1990. p. 3D.
  22. ^ "'Caroline?' a hit, no question". Life. USA Today. May 2, 1990. p. 3D.
  23. ^ Donlon, Brian (September 26, 1990). "CBS has its eye on first". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  24. ^ Donlon, Brian (October 3, 1990). "NBC wins; CBS still surprises". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  25. ^ Sloan, Eugene (October 10, 1990). "NBC tops in ratings, barely". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  26. ^ Donlon, Brian (October 24, 1990). "CBS slides easily into first place". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  27. ^ Donlon, Brian (October 31, 1990). "CBS, no longer the long shot". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  28. ^ Donlon, Brian (November 7, 1990). "NBC wins with fewer viewers". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  29. ^ Donlon, Brian (November 14, 1990). "'Cheers' sweeps up for NBC". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  30. ^ Donlon, Brian (November 21, 1990). "ABC pulls past CBS in sweeps". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  31. ^ Donlon, Brian (December 5, 1990). "Ratings chill is setting in". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  32. ^ Donlon, Brian (December 19, 1990). "St. Nick can't lick TV lull". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  33. ^ Donlon, Brian (January 9, 1991). "ABC News' winning streak ends". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  34. ^ "TV Listings for January 10, 1991". TV Tango. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
  35. ^ Donlon, Brian (January 16, 1991). "NBC wins with season best". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  36. ^ "TV Listings for January 24, 1991". TV Tango. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
  37. ^ Donlon, Brian (January 30, 1991). "ABC super-bowls over its rivals". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  38. ^ Donlon, Brian (February 6, 1991). "Where are the dominant series?". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  39. ^ Donlon, Brian (February 13, 1991). "A good Friday fuels ABC win". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  40. ^ Donlon, Brian (February 20, 1991). "CBS mines past and hits gold". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  41. ^ Donlon, Brian (February 27, 1991). "NBC has a week of ratings ups and downs". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  42. ^ Donlon, Brian (March 13, 1991). "'Baby Talk' helps ABC toddle past CBS to 2nd". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  43. ^ Donlon, Brian (April 3, 1991). "Oscar wins big for ABC". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  44. ^ Sloan, Eugene (April 10, 1991). "'Cheers', NBC rack up wins". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  45. ^ Donlon, Brian (May 1, 1991). "'Switched' sweeps the week". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  46. ^ Donlon, Brian (May 8, 1991). "Sweeps lure straying viewers". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
[edit]
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