In The Prodigal Daughter a household of three clerics are struggling to cope with their household duties, all three, led by the elderly Father Perfect are keen to hire a new housekeeper, the last having walked out some weeks before. When young Christine walks into their lives she very quickly makes an impression on all their lives and in the shape of the increasingly bitter Father Vernon not in a good way. Father Daley is faced with a crisis of faith when he begins to realise that the world outside the church has its attractions.
Fabulously cast this very poignant drama is a great treat, Alastair Sim, in one of his last roles, is just gorgeous here, with a real twinkle in his eye. There is also a small role for a young Karl Howman as a teenager deciding if the church is really for him.
production details
UK / ITV – Anglia / 1×60 minute episode / Broadcast 5 January 1975 @ 8.30pm
Writer: David Turner / Script Editor: John Rosenberg / Production Design: Barry Learoyd / Producer: John Jacobs / Director: Alastair Reid
cast
ALASTAIR SIM as Father Perfect
JEREMY BRETT as Father Daley
CAROLYN SEYMOUR as Christine
CHARLES KAY as Father Vernon
JAMES BERWICK as Paul Ryan
TIFFANY KINNEY as Mary
KARL HOWMAN as Patrick
