Father Dowling Mysteries
Father Frank Dowling, a fine Catholic parish priest in Chicago, drives housekeeper Marie to despair by his habit of being late for dinner as he and his assistant (streetwise nun Stephanie 'Steve' Oskowski) solve numerous neighborhood crimes, usually involving at least one murder. They generally outsmart the police as well as the criminals. The live-in priest Father Philip Prestwick, whose priority is his own ecclesiastical career prospects, takes a very dim view of their crime fighting and on Sister Steve even being there.
- 1989-1991
- 3 seasons
- Paramount Home Entertainment
- Action & Adventure, Comedy, Suspense, Drama, Fantasy
- TV-PG
Father Frank Dowling, a fine Catholic parish priest in Chicago, drives housekeeper Marie to despair by his habit of being late for dinner as he and his assistant (streetwise nun Stephanie 'Steve' Oskowski) solve numerous neighborhood crimes, usually involving at least one murder. They generally outsmart the police as well as the criminals. The live-in priest Father Philip Prestwick, whose priority is his own ecclesiastical career prospects, takes a very dim view of their crime fighting and on Sister Steve even being there.
Season 3 Episode Guide
22 Episodes 1990 - 1991
Episode 1
The Royal Mystery
Thu, Sep 20, 1990 48 mins
It's princess and the pauper, when Sister Stephanie changes places with visiting royalty.
Episode 2
The Medical Mystery
Thu, Sep 27, 1990 47 mins
While Father Dowling is in the hospital for tonsil surgery he becomes convinced that the patient in the next bed was murdered overnight. While investigating, he and Stephanie uncover a larger conspiracy.
Episode 3
The Devil & the Deep Blue Sea Mystery
Thu, Oct 4, 1990 48 mins
Sister Steve's brother is a target by a man who wants him to do something illegal. Her brother is run over by 2 men to teach him a lesson.
Episode 4
The Showgirl Mystery
Thu, Oct 18, 1990 48 mins
Sister Steve's friend is stood up at the altar and it's discovered that her fiancé died on their wedding day. It is only then that she begins to discover who her fiancé really was. Meanwhile, Father Phil has hit on the perfect fundraiser.
Episode 5
The Movie Mystery
Thu, Oct 25, 1990 48 mins
Hollywood is shooting a new TV show at the church, in which a priest and nun solve crimes.
Episode 6
The Undercover Nun Mystery
Thu, Nov 1, 1990 47 mins
A nun is murdered after Sister Stephanie returns to see her Mother Superior in celebration of the latter's Silver Jubilee. Could it be something to do with the nun she saw carrying a gun?
Episode 7
The Murder Weekend Mystery
Thu, Nov 8, 1990 48 mins
Father Dowling is invited to a murder mystery weekend at the home of a famous mystery writer. Father Dowling's skills are put to the test, when their host is murdered.
Episode 8
The Reasonable Doubt Mystery
Thu, Nov 15, 1990 48 mins
Father Dowling is serving as a juror, but has serious doubts about the testimony of a witness.
Episode 9
The Vanishing Victim Mystery
Thu, Nov 29, 1990 47 mins
Father Dowling befriends a woman on a flight home to Chicago. After a mix up with their luggage, he visits the old family mansion she's staying at but is told she's unwell. He smells a rat and is sure she's being kept in the house against her will. Sister Steve goes in undercover as a maid to investigate.
Episode 10
The Christmas Mystery
Thu, Dec 13, 1990 48 mins
After leaving her son with Father Dowling and Sister Stephanie at St. Michael's Parish, a woman is shot and wounded badly. The trail leads Father Dowling and the police to a department store on Christmas Eve. Will it lead to a Christmas miracle?
Episode 11
The Fugitive Priest Mystery
Thu, Jan 3, 1991 48 mins
Father Dowling's brother Blaine is back in town and once again causing him havoc. Frank is framed for a bank robbery that happened at the exact same moment that Blaine was being arrested for overdue parking tickets, giving him a perfect alibi. Frank's only hope to clear his name is to pretend to be Blaine to infiltrate his brothers associates and prove that Blaine was the mastermind behind the robbery.
Episode 12
The Substitute Sister Mystery
Thu, Jan 10, 1991 48 mins
When warring exterminators fight for franchise rights, Frank and Steve are caught in the middle. Confusion ensues when they discover a phony nun, a dangerous hit man, and a gangster who will stop at nothing to save his daughter's life.
Episode 13
The Missing Witness Mystery
Thu, Jan 17, 1991 48 mins
When a witness who can clear a young man of murder goes missing, Sister Steve goes undercover as a working girl to find her. But is the young man as innocent as he makes out? Father Dowling is not so sure.
Episode 14
The Prodigal Son Mystery
Thu, Jan 31, 1991 47 mins
Father Dowling has received the shock of his life. A young man has shown up at St. Michael's Parish claiming to be his son. Before Frank can get to know his son, he vanishes, then is charged with murder. Can Father Dowling save his son from the murder charge?
Episode 15
The Moving Target Mystery
Thu, Feb 7, 1991 48 mins
When a hitman hired to kill Frank realises he is a Catholic priest, his Catholic faith won't allow him to go through with it, and he warns Frank that someone will takeover the hit and carry it out. Father Dowling must figure out why someone would want him dead and who is behind it.
Episode 16
The Priest Killer Mystery
Thu, Feb 14, 1991 47 mins
When a man on a rooftop shoots at Frank, almost killing him, Sister Steve goes undercover as a Taxi driver to catch the man who is targeting priests.
Episode 17
The Mummy's Curse Mystery
Thu, Feb 21, 1991 47 mins
When Father Dowling and Sister Steve discover an ancient Egyptian curse while visiting a Pharaoh's burial chamber at the Chicago museum they attempt to uncover the mystery surrounding the statue given to Frank from the murdered man. Father Prestwick also visits the tomb with almost deadly consequences!
Episode 18
The Monkey Business Mystery
Thu, Mar 7, 1991 48 mins
When a chimp Sister Steve has known and loved since childhood is accused of murdering a zoo keeper, she steals him from the zoo to prevent his execution. Sister Steve and Father Dowling then go about finding the real killer and clearing the chimps name.
Episode 19
The Hardboiled Mystery
Thu, Mar 28, 1991 48 mins
A mystery writer, who is writing a new novel starring Frank and Steve as characters, dies before completing the book. It is up to Frank and Steve to investigate his murder, thus writing the last chapter.
Episode 20
The Malibu Mystery
Thu, Apr 4, 1991 47 mins
When a runaway teenager takes a walk on the wild side of L.A.'s night life, it is up to Father Dowling to intervene and stop impending danger.
Episode 21
The Consulting Detective Mystery
Thu, Apr 25, 1991 48 mins
A man is murdered in his house as he is hiding a paper in a candlestick holder.
Episode 22
The Joyful Noise Mystery
Thu, Jan 24, 1991 48 mins
Father Dowling helps a friend's grandson when the young man is accused of murder.