Recent from talks
Nothing was collected or created yet.
Father, Dear Father
View on Wikipedia
| Father, Dear Father | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Sitcom |
| Written by | Brian Cooke Johnnie Mortimer |
| Directed by | William G. Stewart |
| Starring | Patrick Cargill Natasha Pyne Ann Holloway Noel Dyson Sally Bazely Dawn Addams |
| Theme music composer | Gordon Franks |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language | English |
| No. of series | 7 |
| No. of episodes | 45 |
| Production | |
| Producer | William G. Stewart |
| Running time | 30 minutes |
| Production company | Thames Television |
| Original release | |
| Network | ITV |
| Release | 5 November 1968 – 6 February 1973 |
Father, Dear Father is a British television sitcom produced by Thames Television for ITV from 1968 to 1973 starring Patrick Cargill. It was subsequently made into a spin-off film of the same title released in 1973.
An Australian sequel series of the same name (though usually referred to as Father, Dear Father in Australia to distinguish it from the UK original) followed in 1978. The same year a West German adaptation Oh, This Father starring Willy Millowitsch began, lasting until 1981.
Premise
[edit]The original series focused on divorced British novelist Patrick Glover (Patrick Cargill) and his daughters, Karen (Ann Holloway) and Anna (Natasha Pyne), a couple of lively girls in their teens. The family lives in Hampstead, London. Another member of the household is the girls' Nanny (Noel Dyson). As well as having to deal with his progeny, Patrick also faces frequent hassles with his ex-wife Barbara (Ursula Howells) and her current husband Bill Mossman (played by Patrick Holt, and later Tony Britton). There is also his brother Philip (Donald Sinden), his mother (Joyce Carey), his agent Georgie Thompson (Sally Bazely Series 1 and 2 and later Dawn Addams Series 4-7), his publisher Ian Smyth (Michael Segal in series 3) and his pet St. Bernard dog 'H. G. Wells'. At the end of the sixth series Anna marries Tim Tanner (Jeremy Child), who then became a regular in the last series.
Cast
[edit]- Patrick Cargill - Patrick Glover
- Natasha Pyne - Anna Glover
- Ann Holloway - Karen Glover
- Noel Dyson - Nanny
- Dawn Addams - Georgie Thompson
- Ursula Howells - Barbara
- Joyce Carey - Patrick’s mother
- Sally Bazely - Georgie Thompson
- Jeremy Child - Timothy Tanner
- Tony Britton - Bill Mossman
- Michael Segal - Ian Smythe
- Patrick Holt - Bill Mossman
- James Appleby - Milkman
- Donald Sinden - Philip Glover
Episodes
[edit]Series 1 and 2 are in black & white. Series 3 to 7 are in colour.
Series 1 (1968)
[edit]| No. overall | No. in series | Title | Original release date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | "The Proposal" | 5 November 1968 |
| 2 | 2 | "Pussies Galore" | 12 November 1968 |
| 3 | 3 | "The Return of the Mummy" | 19 November 1968 |
| 4 | 4 | "Publish and Be Damned" | 26 November 1968 |
| 5 | 5 | "It Won't Be a Stylish Marriage" | 3 December 1968 |
| 6 | 6 | "I Should Have Danced All Night" | 10 December 1968 |
| 7 | 7 | "Lost Weekend" | 17 December 1968 |
Series 2 (1969)
[edit]| No. overall | No. in series | Title | Original release date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 1 | "Unhappy Birthday" | 27 May 1969 |
| 9 | 2 | "We Can't Afford a Carriage" | 3 June 1969 |
| 10 | 3 | "Show Me the Way to Go Home" | 10 June 1969 |
| 11 | 4 | "Thinner Than Water" | 17 June 1969 |
| 12 | 5 | "Baby, Won't You Please Come Home" | 24 June 1969 |
| 13 | 6 | "Divorce English Style" | 1 July 1969 |
Series 3 (1970)
[edit]| No. overall | No. in series | Title | Original release date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | 1 | "This Is Your Wife" | 12 May 1970 |
| 15 | 2 | "One Dog and His Man" | 19 May 1970 |
| 16 | 3 | "It's Never Too Late" | 26 May 1970 |
| 17 | 4 | "Nobody's Indispensable" | 2 June 1970 |
| 18 | 5 | "The Suitable Suitor" | 9 June 1970 |
| 19 | 6 | "A Man About the House" | 16 June 1970 |
Series 4 (1971)
[edit]| No. overall | No. in series | Title | Original release date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | 1 | "Last Of The Red-Hot Mommas" | 15 June 1971 |
| 21 | 2 | "An Affair To Forget" | 22 June 1971 |
| 22 | 3 | "Housey-Housey" | 29 June 1971 |
| 23 | 4 | "The Reluctant Runaway" | 6 July 1971 |
| 24 | 5 | "Come Back Little Sheba" | 13 July 1971 |
| 25 | 6 | "A Domestic Comedy" | 20 July 1971 |
| 26 | 7 | "The Naked Truth" | 27 July 1971 |
Series 5 (1971)
[edit]| No. overall | No. in series | Title | Original release date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27 | 1 | "Proposed and Seconded" | 13 September 1971 |
| 28 | 2 | "The Life of the Party" | 20 September 1971 |
| 29 | 3 | "Nothing But the Tooth" | 27 September 1971 |
| 30 | 4 | "An Explosive Situation" | 4 October 1971 |
| 31 | 5 | "A Book for the Bishop" | 11 October 1971 |
| 32 | 6 | "A Case for Inspector Glover" | 18 October 1971 |
Series 6 (1972)
[edit]| No. overall | No. in series | Title | Original release date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 33 | 1 | "The Cardboard Casanova" | 13 June 1972 |
| 34 | 2 | "Brother, Dear Brother" | 20 June 1972 |
| 35 | 3 | "The Opposite Six" | 27 June 1972 |
| 36 | 4 | "Unaccustomed As I Am" | 4 July 1972 |
| 37 | 5 | "Feud, Glorious Feud" | 11 July 1972 |
| 38 | 6 | "The Engagement" | 18 July 1972 |
| 39 | 7 | "Father of the Bride" | 25 July 1972 |
Series 7 (1973)
[edit]| No. overall | No. in series | Title | Original release date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 | 1 | "Flat Spin" | 2 January 1973 |
| 41 | 2 | "Home And Away" | 9 January 1973 |
| 42 | 3 | "It's In The Book" | 16 January 1973 |
| 43 | 4 | "The Right Hand Man" | 23 January 1973 |
| 44 | 5 | "Pop Around The Clock" | 30 January 1973 |
| 45 | 6 | "In All Directions" | 6 February 1973 |
Australian version
[edit]| Father, Dear Father | |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | Australia |
| Original language | English |
| No. of episodes | 14 |
| Production | |
| Running time | 30 mins |
| Original release | |
| Network | ATN Channel 7 |
| Release | 2 April 1978 – 28 June 1980 |
A few years after Karen and Anna have married and left home, Patrick decides to go to Australia to do some research for a book he is writing and takes Nanny along (both Cargill and Dyson reprised the roles). He intends to stay with his brother Jeffrey (Ron Frazer), but Jeffrey unexpectedly has to travel to London for 6 months in connection with his work. Jeffrey comments that he is worried about leaving his daughters, Liz (Sally Conabere) and Sue (Sigrid Thornton), to fend for themselves while he is away and asks if Patrick and Nanny can look after them, and Patrick begrudgingly agrees. Liz and Sue had been looking forward to being free of adult supervision while their father was away, so they're initially unimpressed with the idea. 'H.G.Wells' was replaced by two new St.Bernards, a dog named G.K. (after G.K. Chesterton) and a bitch named 'A.C.' (after Agatha Christie). Wallas Eaton appears in two episodes of the second series as Patrick's Australian publisher, Sam Winterton.
Two 7-episode series were made by Lyle McCabe Productions in association with the Seven Network; like the original, they were produced and directed by William G. Stewart. Gordon Franks' original title music was also re-used. Mortimer and Cooke wrote the first episode, "Once More With Feeling"; the rest of the episodes were written by writers such as Richard Waring and Donald Churchill.[1]
Series 1 (1978)
[edit]| No. overall | No. in series | Title | Original release date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | "Once More with Feeling" | 25 June 1978 |
| 2 | 2 | "A Home from Home" | 2 July 1978 |
| 3 | 3 | "The Floating Housekeeper" | 9 July 1978 |
| 4 | 4 | "Novel Exercise" | 16 July 1978 |
| 5 | 5 | "A Word of Appreciation" | 23 July 1978 |
| 6 | 6 | "Finding Your Feet" | 30 July 1978 |
| 7 | 7 | "The Lost Sheep" | 6 August 1978 |
Series 2 (1980)
[edit]| No. overall | No. in series | Title | Original release date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 1 | "A Novel Experience" | 17 May 1980 |
| 9 | 2 | "Straight form the Horse's Mouth" | 24 May 1980 |
| 10 | 3 | "Father, Dear Father's Day" | 31 May 1980 |
| 11 | 4 | "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" | 7 June 1980 |
| 12 | 5 | "The Wisdom of Patrick" | 14 June 1980 |
| 13 | 6 | "I Talk to the Trees" | 21 June 1980 |
| 14 | 7 | "Thruppling Thursday" | 28 June 1980 |
DVD release
[edit]All seven series of Father, Dear Father (including the feature film) have been released on DVD by Network, A 7-disc box-set of the complete series has also been released. Both series of the Australian Father, Dear Father series have been released in a 2 disc set by Umbrella Entertainment in Australia.
| DVD | Release date |
|---|---|
| The Complete Series 1 | 15 January 2007 |
| The Complete Series 2 | 13 August 2007 |
| The Complete Series 3 | 22 October 2007 |
| The Complete Series 4 | 1 September 2008 |
| The Complete Series 5 | 8 June 2009 |
| The Complete Series 6 | 23 August 2010 |
| The Complete Series 7 The Complete Series 1 to 7 + Movie Box Set |
8 November 2010 |
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Albert Moran, Moran's Guide to Australian TV Series, AFTRS 1993 p 174
External links
[edit]- Father, Dear Father at British Comedy Guide
- Father, Dear Father at IMDb
- Father, Dear Father - credits and episodes guide
Father, Dear Father
View on GrokipediaOverview
Premise
Father, Dear Father is a British sitcom centered on the life of Patrick Glover, a divorced thriller novelist who resides in a London home with his two teenage daughters, Karen and Anna, while attempting to balance his demanding writing career with the responsibilities of single parenthood. Glover's days are filled with the chaos of raising his rebellious and flirtatious daughters, who often test his patience through their youthful antics and romantic pursuits, all while he navigates occasional visits from his ex-wife and her new husband. The household is supported by a live-in nanny who helps manage the daily domestic affairs, Glover's ageing mother who frequently interjects with her eccentric opinions, and his mischievous pet dog H.G. Wells, adding layers of complication to family routines.[1] The family dynamics revolve around Glover's overprotective yet comically inept parenting style, which frequently clashes with his daughters' desire for independence and excitement in the swinging 1960s and 1970s London scene. Karen and Anna's secretive behaviors and social escapades create ongoing tension, as Glover struggles to maintain authority without stifling their growth, often leading to humorous misunderstandings within the home. The presence of the nanny serves as a stabilizing force, handling practical matters, while Glover's mother embodies generational differences, offering outdated advice that exacerbates rather than resolves conflicts. These interactions highlight the absurdities of blended family life post-divorce, where personal boundaries are constantly blurred.[1][5] Thematically, the series explores the challenges of single fatherhood in mid-20th-century Britain, including generational clashes between conservative parental values and the emerging freedoms of youth, as well as the comedic pitfalls of romantic entanglements for a public figure like Glover. His attempts at dating, particularly with his publisher Georgie, often intersect disastrously with family obligations, underscoring the difficulties of maintaining a social life amid domestic demands. Recurring motifs include Glover's pulp spy novels bleeding into real-life mishaps, where fictional plots mirror or inspire household farces, and situational comedy arising from concealed family secrets and social faux pas that spiral into escalating absurdity.[1][5]Production history
Father, Dear Father was developed by the writing duo Johnnie Mortimer and Brian Cooke, who penned all 45 episodes of the series.[1][6] The sitcom was produced by Thames Television for the ITV network, with William G. Stewart serving as producer and director for the majority of the episodes.[7][1] Stewart's involvement extended to overseeing the multi-camera studio format typical of the era's light entertainment comedies.[8] The series premiered on 5 November 1968 and ran for seven series until 1973, comprising 45 episodes each approximately 30 minutes in length.[9][6] Filming took place at Teddington Studios in Middlesex, utilizing a traditional studio audience setup for the domestic scenes.[8] Patrick Cargill was cast in the lead role drawing on his established reputation as a suave stage performer, having gained notice in West End productions.[1] The ensemble, including Natasha Pyne and Ann Holloway as the daughters, was assembled to capture the show's focus on family dynamics.[1] Minor adjustments occurred during pre-production, but the core cast remained consistent throughout the run.[10] The series concluded after its seventh series in 1973, having maintained steady production without further commissions.[9]Cast and characters
Main cast
Patrick Cargill portrayed the lead role of Patrick Glover, a divorced thriller novelist struggling to manage his household in the sitcom Father, Dear Father (1968–1973). Born on 3 June 1918 in London, England, Cargill brought a suave yet hapless demeanor to the character, drawing from his extensive theater background that included performances in Noël Coward's plays such as Blithe Spirit and West End productions.[11][12] His portrayal emphasized Glover's flustered attempts at fatherhood, contributing to the show's farcical tone through subtle comedic timing honed from stage work.[6] Cargill, who died on 23 May 1996 in Richmond, England, from a brain tumor at age 77, reprised the role in the 1973 feature film adaptation.[12] Natasha Pyne played Anna Glover, the elder daughter known for her mischievous independence and romantic entanglements that often disrupted her father's life. Born on 9 July 1946 in Crawley, Sussex, England, Pyne's performance highlighted Anna's spirited rebellion within the family dynamic, marking one of her early prominent television roles after starting in theater at the Royal Court in John Osborne's Inadmissible Evidence.[13] Following the series, Pyne pursued a notable career in theater and television, including appearances in Where the Heart Is (2004–2005) and radio adaptations of Agatha Christie works.[13] Ann Holloway depicted Karen Glover, the younger daughter whose youthful naivety added layers of innocence and occasional chaos to the household interactions. Born on 29 January 1947, Holloway transitioned from a background in dance to acting, bringing a fresh, wide-eyed quality to Karen's character that contrasted with her sister's bolder personality.[14] After the series, she took on brief film roles and continued in television, including parts in Doctor Who ("Earthshock," 1982) and Emmerdale (1973).[15] Noel Dyson (born Elsie Noël Dyson) embodied Nanny (Matilda Harris), the wise and no-nonsense housekeeper serving as the family's moral compass and source of comic relief through her dry wit and steadfast presence. Born on 23 December 1916 in Newton Heath, Manchester, England, Dyson's performance leveraged her experience as a character actress to deliver sharp timing in scenes balancing the Glover family's antics.[16] She reprised the role in the Australian spin-off Father, Dear Father in Australia (1978).[17] Dyson died on 29 June 1995 in Winchcombe, Gloucestershire, from pancreatic cancer at age 78.[18] The main cast's ensemble chemistry was central to the show's appeal, with Cargill's improvisational flair in farcical family scenes complementing the daughters' playful energy and Dyson's grounding authority, creating authentic portrayals of domestic interplay.[10]Supporting cast
The supporting cast in Father, Dear Father provided essential comic relief through recurring portrayals of family members, household staff, and associates who disrupted the protagonist's life, enhancing the series' farcical elements centered on domestic chaos.[1] Joyce Carey frequently appeared as Patrick Glover's ageing mother, whose overbearing presence introduced generational clashes and snobbish meddling into the household dynamics, often complicating her son's attempts to manage his daughters and career.[1][2] Her role evolved across multiple series, emphasizing familial tensions that amplified the sitcom's humor about parental responsibilities.[10] Ursula Howells played Barbara Mossman, Patrick's ex-wife, in occasional episodes that sparked custody disputes and lingering romantic entanglements, heightening the emotional and comedic stakes for the central family unit.[1][10] These appearances, spanning several series, underscored themes of post-divorce awkwardness and contributed to plotlines involving interference in Glover's daily life.[2] The role of Georgie Thompson, Patrick's literary agent and occasional romantic interest, was initially played by Sally Bazely in series 1 and 2, before Dawn Addams took over from series 4 to 7, reflecting a shift in the character's integration into ongoing storylines about professional and personal overlaps.[10][19] This evolution allowed Georgie to drive episodes focused on Glover's writing career and romantic pursuits, often resulting in chaotic interventions.[1] Other recurring supporting roles included Donald Sinden as Philip Glover, Patrick's brother, who appeared in select episodes across series 2 to 7, bringing sibling rivalry and additional family disruptions to the narrative.[10] Later series introduced figures like Tony Britton as Bill Mossman and Jeremy Child as Timothy Tanner, further expanding the circle of influences on Glover's life through business and social ties.[10] Notable guest actors enriched individual episodes with authority figures and love interests, such as Richard Caldicot in various authoritative roles that escalated comedic conflicts, and appearances by established performers like June Whitfield and Rodney Bewes, who portrayed temporary romantic or familial entanglements to heighten the episodic humor.[20] These guests, often in bit parts, amplified the show's farce by introducing external pressures on the core family interactions.[2]Episodes
Series 1 (1968)
The first series of Father, Dear Father aired on ITV from 5 November to 17 December 1968, consisting of seven episodes that introduced the central family dynamic and comedic premise of divorced thriller novelist Patrick Glover navigating single parenthood with his teenage daughters, Anna and Karen.[21] Produced by Thames Television and written by Johnny Mortimer and Brian Cooke, the series established the show's light-hearted tone through domestic mishaps and generational clashes, filmed primarily at the Teddington Studios with exterior shots of the Glover family home in Barnes, London, to ground the narrative in a relatable suburban setting.[22] This debut run quickly garnered positive viewer feedback, leading to a prompt renewal for a second series in 1969, as the episodes averaged strong viewership figures for the era, with one December episode drawing 6.9 million viewers and ranking among the top-rated programs that month.[23][1] The series introduced core supporting characters, including Nanny (Noel Dyson), the family's devoted housekeeper, and Georgie (Sally Bazely), Patrick's romantic interest and a family friend, whose first appearances in these episodes set up recurring comedic tensions around domestic stability and adult relationships.[24] Key themes centered on Glover's post-divorce adjustment to parenting, highlighted by his overprotective instincts and failed attempts at re-establishing family routines, alongside light-hearted explorations of the daughters' emerging social lives at school and beyond, such as budding romances and school activities that often disrupt household harmony.| Episode | Title | Air Date | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Proposal | 5 November 1968 | Patrick, concerned about his daughters' behavior, seeks advice from a priest and decides to propose to Georgie for added family stability, only to back out when Anna and Karen threaten to leave home.[25] |
| 2 | Pussies Galore | 12 November 1968 | The daughters hide a pregnant stray cat in the house, leading Patrick to mistakenly believe one of them is expecting a baby, sparking panic and comedic misunderstandings. |
| 3 | The Return of the Mummy | 19 November 1968 | Patrick's ex-wife Barbara arrives unannounced for an extended stay, forcing him to conceal her presence from her husband Bill, amid awkward family interactions. |
| 4 | Publish and Be Damned | 26 November 1968 | Karen's school essay is mistakenly published as an adult novel, embarrassing Patrick who scrambles to buy up all copies and explain the mix-up to the family. |
| 5 | It Won't Be a Stylish Marriage | 3 December 1968 | Anna announces her engagement to Cyril, prompting Patrick to intervene after misinterpreting the suitor's intentions, ultimately leading to a humorous family reconciliation. |
| 6 | I Should Have Danced All Night | 10 December 1968 | Eager to impress Georgie, Patrick secretly takes dancing lessons but injures his ankle, resulting in a chaotic cover-up when the family discovers his predicament. |
| 7 | Lost Weekend | 17 December 1968 | Patrick plans a weekend getaway to Brighton with Georgie, but a suitcase mix-up causes him to miss Anna's school play, escalating into a frenzy of apologies and family chaos. |
Series 2 (1969)
The second series of Father, Dear Father aired on ITV from 27 May to 1 July 1969, comprising six black-and-white episodes each approximately 25 minutes in length. Broadcast on Tuesday evenings, it further developed the comedic tensions within the Glover household, emphasizing misunderstandings and family secrets that tested Patrick Glover's patience as a single father and novelist. This season refined the show's format by incorporating more self-contained farcical plots centered on the daughters' independence, while maintaining the core dynamic of parental protectiveness clashing with teenage rebellion.[26][27] The episodes featured heightened physical comedy and domestic chaos, with Glover's role as a thriller writer occasionally intersecting with the plot through ironic contrasts to his real-life predicaments. Key themes included the evolving father-daughter relationships amid the girls' emerging romantic and social explorations, such as Anna's brief foray into nightclub work, and the use of Glover's professional pressures—implied through his flustered reactions to family crises—as recurring comic relief. Nanny's steadfast presence provided grounding humor, with subtle nods to her long-term loyalty to the family adding depth to her character without overt backstory exposition.[26][6] A unique aspect of this series was its tie-in to ITV's inaugural All Star Comedy Carnival on Christmas Day 1969, where cast members including Noel Dyson appeared in a special sketch, marking the show's first holiday-themed extension and broadening its festive appeal. The season's strong performance sustained the series' early momentum, regularly placing in ITV's London Top Ten ratings and contributing to format adjustments toward more slapstick elements in subsequent runs.[28][29]| Episode | Title | Air Date | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Unhappy Birthday | 27 May 1969 | Patrick misinterprets secretive phone calls from his doctor and family as news of terminal illness, unaware they are planning a surprise birthday party; he is diagnosed with German measles and confined to bed, heightening the farce.[30] |
| 2 | We Can't Afford a Carriage | 3 June 1969 | Facing repair bills after smashing his windscreen, Patrick urges the girls to earn money for a second-hand car; Anna takes a job as a Bunny Girl at a nightclub, leading to Patrick's shocked intervention and eventual purchase of the vehicle.[31] |
| 3 | Show Me the Way to Go Home | 10 June 1969 | In a bid for independence, Anna moves into a bedsit; Patrick assumes she is living with a married couple and meddles accordingly, only to discover she is alone, prompting her quick return home.[32] |
| 4 | Thinner Than Water | 17 June 1969 | Patrick uncovers mismatched blood types between himself and Karen via donor cards, sparking suspicions of his late wife's infidelity; the mix-up is revealed as a simple clerical error at the hospital.[33] |
| 5 | The Lady Alone | 24 June 1969 | Friend Philip leaves a baby with the Glovers while he goes sailing, causing confusion over its origins and coinciding with a boat delivery; the situation resolves when the child's parents, the O'Briens, arrive to reclaim it.[34] |
| 6 | Divorce English Style | 1 July 1969 | Family solicitor Mr. Byrde visits to verify details of Patrick's divorce from Barbara; misunderstandings lead Bill to believe the marriage is still valid, but documents confirm its legitimacy.[35] |
Series 3 (1970)
The third series of Father, Dear Father aired on ITV from 12 May to 16 June 1970, comprising six half-hour episodes written by Brian Cooke and Johnnie Mortimer. This installment built on the established premise by delving deeper into Patrick Glover's (Patrick Cargill) struggles as a divorced crime novelist navigating family dynamics and professional demands, with increased emphasis on interpersonal misunderstandings and romantic entanglements. The series maintained its light-hearted tone while incorporating elements of 1970s social change, particularly through the daughters' interactions with contemporary youth influences.[21] Key themes in this series revolved around generational gaps, exemplified by Anna (Natasha Pyne) and Karen's (Ann Holloway) budding independence clashing with Patrick's protective instincts, as well as his ongoing career pressures from external expectations in the publishing and entertainment industries. For instance, episodes explored suitors and family events that underscored differing views between the older generation's formalities and the younger one's more relaxed attitudes toward relationships and lifestyle choices. Nanny (Noel Dyson) continued to serve as a stabilizing force, often mediating conflicts with her no-nonsense wisdom.[36][37] The series featured notable guest appearances that added layers to the plots, such as Joyce Carey reprising her role as Patrick's mother in the first and third episodes, influencing family decisions and heightening comedic tensions. Scripts included subtle adjustments for topical humor, drawing on current cultural shifts like the evolving role of women and family structures in post-1960s Britain, without overshadowing the core domestic comedy.[38]| Episode | Title | Air Date | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3x01 | This Is Your Wife | 12 May 1970 | An American film producer interested in adapting Patrick's novel insists on meeting his wife, prompting Patrick to enlist a stand-in, leading to chaotic deceptions and revelations when the ruse unravels at a dinner party. Guest star: Joyce Carey as Mrs. Glover.[39][40] |
| 3x02 | One Dog and His Man | 19 May 1970 | Patrick's beloved dog H.G. Wells chews up pages of his latest manuscript, forcing him to rehome the pet temporarily; complications arise when the dog inadvertently helps thwart a burglary, bringing it back into the fold amid family remorse.[41][42] |
| 3x03 | It's Never Too Late | 26 May 1970 | Preparations for Karen's christening spiral into confusion when Patrick's ex-wife Barbara arrives, sparking rumors of his remarriage and culminating in a humorous confrontation that clears the air. Guest star: Joyce Carey as Mrs. Glover.[43] |
| 3x04 | Nobody's Indispensable | 2 June 1970 | Nanny receives a marriage proposal from an old flame, prompting the family to test their self-sufficiency in her absence; realizing her irreplaceable role, they scheme to dissuade the suitor while affirming her value. Guest star: Guest as Mr. Bolton.[44][21] |
| 3x05 | The Suitable Suitor | 9 June 1970 | Patrick arranges for upper-class Matthew Brockbank to court Anna, but the plan backfires when Brockbank's overbearing mother interferes, exposing class differences and forcing Patrick to confront his matchmaking meddling. Guest star: As Matthew Brockbank.[45] |
| 3x06 | A Man About the House | 16 June 1970 | Returning home unexpectedly, Patrick discovers artist Leslie posing as a woman to paint the daughters' portraits; the disguise leads to mistaken identities and a surprise commission that ties into Patrick's professional world. Guest star: As Leslie.[46] |
Series 4 (1971)
The fourth series of Father, Dear Father was broadcast on ITV from 15 June to 27 July 1971, comprising seven episodes that further developed the single-parent premise central to the show's humor, focusing on Patrick Glover's efforts to balance his career, family responsibilities, and occasional romantic complications.[9] This run emphasized recurring tensions in Glover's personal life, including interference from his daughters in his relationships and interactions with his ex-wife, Barbara, while introducing domestic disruptions like temporary caregiving and family relocations.[48] The episodes highlighted Glover's vulnerability as a father figure, often placing him in awkward social situations that tested his authority and patience.[49] Key themes in the series revolved around Glover's dating life and ex-wife dynamics clashing with his daughters' adolescent independence, as seen in storylines involving romantic cover-ups and runaway rebellions. For instance, episodes explored how family secrets and external pressures, such as neighborhood developments or theatrical ventures, amplified these conflicts, leading to comedic resolutions that reinforced the bonds within the Glover household.[50] Mid-series developments included a greater emphasis on ensemble interactions, with supporting characters like Nanny and Glover's mother playing larger roles in precipitating chaos, allowing for more layered portrayals of intergenerational misunderstandings.[6] The episodes are as follows:| Episode | Title | Air date | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | Last of the Red Hot Mommas | 15 June 1971 | Patrick decides his elderly mother is too old to live alone and invites her to move in with the family, a choice that quickly leads to regret amid the household's existing dynamics.[49] |
| 22 | An Affair to Forget | 22 June 1971 | Patrick's accountant, Leo, enlists his help to cover up a fling with Patrick's ex-wife, Barbara, after Leo's wife discovers an incriminating photo, highlighting tensions in post-divorce relationships.[50] |
| 23 | Housey-Housey | 29 June 1971 | Returning from a holiday in Spain, Patrick receives a council letter threatening a flyover through his garden (though the plan has already been scrapped) and organizes a bingo night to fund a legal challenge, showcasing community involvement and family teamwork. |
| 24 | The Reluctant Runaway | 6 July 1971 | Karen, frustrated with her father's strict rules, runs away from home at age 16 to force his permission for independence, prompting a family reconciliation that underscores teenage rebellion. |
| 25 | Come Back Little Sheba | 13 July 1971 | Attempting to quit smoking, Patrick hides his paraphernalia in an attic box, which Anna mistakes for a time capsule and buries in the garden, leading to frantic searches when temptation strikes. |
| 26 | A Domestic Comedy | 20 July 1971 | With Nanny away visiting her sister in Edinburgh for three weeks, Patrick hires a temporary replacement through an agency, resulting in humorous clashes over household routines. |
| 27 | The Naked Truth | 27 July 1971 | Emerging from writing seclusion, Patrick attends what he believes is his daughter Anna's performance in Romeo and Juliet, only to discover it's a risqué nude revue titled The Naked Truth, exposing his protective instincts.[51] |
Series 5 (1971)
The fifth series of Father, Dear Father aired on ITV from 13 September to 18 October 1971, consisting of six episodes that continued to explore the comedic tensions in the Glover household as the daughters Anna and Karen navigated young adulthood.[21] This season marked a progression in the narrative, with the girls asserting greater independence through social engagements and romantic interests, often leading to chaotic disruptions for their father, Patrick Glover, a crime novelist played by Patrick Cargill. The writing by Johnny Mortimer and Brian Cooke subtly adjusted to reflect the characters' evolving ages, emphasizing Glover's struggles to maintain authority amid these changes.[1] The episodes maintained the show's signature blend of domestic farce and situational humor, focusing on misunderstandings and family mishaps. Key themes included the daughters' push for autonomy, resulting in household upheavals such as unauthorized parties and romantic entanglements, alongside Glover's professional challenges, like research for his novels sparking unintended real-life complications. For instance, Glover's work as a mystery writer frequently intersected with personal crises, highlighting rivalries with colleagues and the demands of his career.[52] These elements underscored the series' ongoing portrayal of father-daughter dynamics, with the main cast— including Natasha Pyne as Anna and Ann Holloway as Karen—delivering performances that captured the characters' maturation in a single, evolving sentence of continuity.| Episode | Title | Air Date | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proposed and Seconded | 13 September 1971 | Patrick mishears his agent Georgie's business proposal as a marriage offer, causing confusion when Nanny wins a sweepstake and a vicar unexpectedly visits the home.[52] |
| 2 | The Life of the Party | 20 September 1971 | With Patrick away at a writers' conference, the daughters host a lively party that spirals out of control; a mix-up arises when Karen's comment about needing a bath leads to an awkward encounter with a young guest.[52] |
| 3 | Nothing But the Tooth | 27 September 1971 | Patrick's severe toothache prompts a visit to the dentist, but complications ensue with Karen's clumsy new boyfriend mistaken for the dentist, exacerbated by a bumbling plumber's arrival.[52] |
| 4 | An Explosive Situation | 4 October 1971 | At an auction, Patrick impulsively bids on what he thinks is a prop grenade, only to discover it's live, drawing unwanted attention from the military and endangering the household.[52] |
| 5 | A Book for the Bishop | 11 October 1971 | Patrick assists an old friend, a bishop, in researching a book by counting instances of nudity in magazines for an anti-pornography initiative, leading to embarrassing revelations and family scrutiny.[52] |
| 6 | A Case for Inspector Glover | 18 October 1971 | Patrick's novel research on strangulation methods results in anonymous threatening letters, forcing him to play detective in his own home and confront potential professional sabotage.[52] |
Series 6 (1972)
The sixth series of Father, Dear Father aired on ITV from 13 June to 25 July 1972, comprising seven episodes that intensified the show's exploration of family tensions and romantic entanglements. Broadcast on Tuesday evenings at 8:30 pm, the series built on prior installments by focusing on protagonist Patrick Glover's (Patrick Cargill) struggles as a bachelor novelist navigating his daughters' growing independence, particularly eldest daughter Anna's (Natasha Pyne) deepening relationship with fiancé Timothy Tanner (David Barry). This installment marked a pivotal shift, emphasizing impending household disruptions while satirizing the superficialities of literary fame and social obligations.[54] The episodes featured heightened comedic chaos driven by misunderstandings and external interferences, with Patrick's career as a crime writer often entangled in personal mishaps. Guest appearances, including family members and acquaintances, propelled many plots, adding layers of farce to the domestic satire. For instance, interactions with Patrick's brother and various eccentrics highlighted themes of reluctant responsibility and the clash between private life and public persona.| Episode | Title | Original air date | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 33 | The Cardboard Casanova | 13 June 1972 | Patrick panics after misinterpreting a call from his agent about a potential divorce citation involving one of his fictional characters, leading to a series of awkward confrontations and revelations about his romantic past.[55] |
| 34 | Brother, Dear Brother | 20 June 1972 | Visiting his hospitalized brother Philip (played by guest star Michael Nightingale), Patrick accidentally tumbles down a laundry chute and is mistaken for his sibling, resulting in family secrets spilling out amid hospital hijinks. |
| 35 | The Opposite Six | 27 June 1972 | Seeking solitude for writing, Patrick's home becomes overrun by a group of women from a nearby shelter seeking advice, turning his quiet retreat into a chaotic salon of romantic woes and gender dynamics. |
| 36 | Unaccustomed As I Am | 4 July 1972 | Patrick loses his voice just before delivering a speech at his old school reunion, forcing him to rely on a pre-recorded tape that Nanny (Noel Dyson) inadvertently sabotages with her off-key singing.[56] |
| 37 | Feud, Glorious Feud | 11 July 1972 | A feud erupts when Patrick mistakes a fashion photographer (guest star Julian Holloway) for a vagrant, leading to an unintended modeling gig and a comical chase involving police and paparazzi. |
| 38 | The Engagement | 18 July 1972 | Timothy forgets his wallet during a night out, stranding him and prompting Patrick to cover expenses at a restaurant, which delays his attendance at a royal garden party but ultimately solidifies approval for the couple's engagement. |
| 39 | Father of the Bride | 25 July 1972 | On Anna and Timothy's wedding day, a hungover Timothy receives the wrong medication from Patrick, causing delays and farcical complications, while the episode underscores the bittersweet prospect of the young couple moving in post-ceremony.[57] |
Series 7 (1973)
The seventh and final series of Father, Dear Father aired on ITV from 2 January to 6 February 1973, consisting of six episodes that continued to explore the comedic challenges faced by crime novelist Patrick Glover (played by Patrick Cargill) in managing his household after his eldest daughter Anna's recent marriage.[60] This series shifted focus to the evolving family dynamics, including the newlyweds' adjustment to independent living and ongoing tensions with younger daughter Karen's budding romance, while maintaining the show's signature blend of farce and domestic mishaps.[61] Unlike previous years, there was no Christmas special, with the episodes broadcast in a compact winter run.[62] The series provided partial resolutions to long-running plot threads, such as the daughters' paths to adulthood and Patrick's efforts to balance his writing career with family responsibilities, often through humorous reflections on single parenthood. For instance, early episodes addressed housing instability for the married couple, while later ones highlighted generational clashes over relationships and leisure, underscoring Glover's reluctant growth as a father figure.[61] The narrative avoided a definitive series finale, instead concluding on a light-hearted note of family improvisation, which left the characters' futures open-ended and potentially amenable to further stories.[60]| Episode | Title | Air Date | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 (7x1) | Flat Spin | 2 January 1973 | Newlyweds Anna and Tim return from their honeymoon and spot an ideal flat, but they are £4,000 short; Patrick steps in with the funds, fabricating a story about an inheritance from Uncle Emlyn, only for the supposedly deceased relative to arrive unexpectedly, sparking chaos.[61] |
| 41 (7x2) | Home and Away | 9 January 1973 | Patrick's live-in companion Bill attempts to keep his weekend getaway with girlfriend Gloria a secret; mistaking a door-to-door charity collector for Gloria, Patrick becomes entangled in a farcical exchange involving an ill-fitting girdle.[61] |
| 42 (7x3) | It's in the Book | 16 January 1973 | Advising Tim to demand a promotion assertively, Patrick unwittingly prompts his son-in-law to quit his job; a hasty intervention by Patrick secures Tim's reinstatement, though Tim now entertains rival offers.[61] |
| 43 (7x4) | The Right Hand Man | 23 January 1973 | A visit from eccentric film producer Muswell Lemming goes awry when Patrick and Tim accidentally get handcuffed together; Tim conceals himself during the crucial meeting, and Nanny ultimately devises the escape.[61] |
| 44 (7x5) | Pop Around the Clock | 30 January 1973 | Karen and boyfriend Howard head to a pop festival for a camping weekend, leading Patrick to assume they plan a hasty marriage on a shoestring budget; the arrival of wedding supplies exacerbates the misunderstandings.[61] |
| 45 (7x6) | In All Directions | 6 February 1973 | The family debates individual holiday plans before settling on Tenerife, but thick fog grounds their flight; Patrick's lapsed passport forces an impromptu trip to the sedate Frinton-on-Sea instead.[61] |
