Bless Me Father (1980) (S2 Ep7)

Ep 7: A Back To Front Wedding. Father Duddleswell and Father Neil find themselves late for a wedding when they forget the time when out at the pictures. While Father Duddleswell thinks he has wriggled out of a tricky situation at the reception, he does not forsee the problem that lies ahead regarding Catholic protocol...

Starring Arthur Lowe, Daniel Abineri, Gabrielle Daye, Patrick McAlinney, Alan Cheeseman, Rowena Roberts, Anne Robson and Ruth Holden. This episode was broadcast on January 6th 1980, and what is remarkable for this sitcom is how it doesn't attempt to dilute Catholic teachings for it's audiences. Just check out Arthur Lowe's speech at 11:00 during the ceremony. Although I don't agree with it's sentiment, this was a sitcom that was supremely confident in showing how Catholic guidelines were while knowing the audience would accept it was just how they did things then compared to the rest of the country. Nor did it shy away from it's prejudices or contradictions, which made it a remarkable sitcom for it's time. On a sad note, the actress playing the blushing bride, Rowena Roberts - best known for her role as a barmaid in Shelley (1979-80) - died in 1989, aged just 38.