
Then he raps a wooden table conveniently in reach, and laughs again. "I've got one-and-a-half scenes, but a really GOOD scene!" "A job like this is ideal," says Chamberlain before a recent performance as his current Man of God. "Then all hell breaks loose," says Chamberlain, adding with a chuckle, "I've played a lot of priests over the years." Not the least of them was Father Ralph de Bricassart, that passionate priest of "The Thorn Birds," the 1983 miniseries whose success on the heels of likewise top-rated "Centennial" and "Shogun" certified Chamberlain as The King of the miniseries genre. In his small but pivotal role, he plays Father Donald, who is called in to counsel the son - a traumatized Vietnam war veteran - of co-stars Holly Hunter and Bill Pullman. 14, Chamberlain can be found onstage in an off-Broadway production of the David Rabe black comedy "Sticks and Bones." Today, at 80, he is still working and, thanks to facial exercises and defiant genes (but no cosmetic work, he vows) retains the dreamboat looks of an elder James Kildare.
#Richard chamberlain movies priest tv
He passed away two decades ago at age 67.īut a happier fate awaited Chamberlain, who, spared the typical flare-out of an overnight sensation, followed up his stint at Blair General Hospital with a varied and distinguished slate of films, TV and theater. Rugged, swarthy Vince Edwards would never again enjoy his prominence as Dr. Then, as if on cue, each sputtered to a finish five seasons later.

Both launched out-of-nowhere heartthrobs. 28, 1961.īoth shows erupted as smash hits. Kildare" and its 27-year-old leading man, Richard Chamberlain.Īdding to the excitement was the harmonic convergence that found a rival doctor drama, "Ben Casey," arriving in ABC's lineup just four days after "Dr. inside this stupid body I am still young, and I still want you.New York (AP) - It is hard to describe the hysteria that was whipped up by the new NBC drama "Dr.

Jean Simmons (remember Jean Simmons?) gives a fine impersonation of Jean Simmons, and Barbara Stanwyck does her best to be credible as the aged matriarch who has to cope with a script which obliges her to tell Father Chamberlain: “I have always loved you. Richard Chamberlain remains indecently presentable for a man of his years, and maintains a commendably straight face in his role as the priest torn between his love of God and his love for an exceedingly toothsome young woman, played by Rachel Ward.

The landscape scenes are OK, apart from the absence of gum trees.Īs for the drama itself, well, you’ve read ‘The Thorn Birds’. It’s impressive, but it looks like a cross between Windsor Castle and Como House, with sumptuous interiors complete with chandeliers. Less forgivable is the California version of ‘Drogheda’ homestead.

Given past American attempts to talk Strine, this was probably wise. The makers apparently decided that, since most of the characters in the novel are Irish or of Irish descent, stage Irish accents with a bit of upper-crust English and an occasional lapse into American thrown in, would suit their purpose quite adequately.
#Richard chamberlain movies priest series
On the incomplete evidence of a one-hour preview of the series shown at the Australian embassy here last night, I am able to report not the slightest hint of an Australian accent.
