THIS INCREDIBLY TITLED sitcom came along at a time in which there was tremendous changes being implemented in the Roman Catholic Church. The implementation of new directives from Pope Saint John XXIII changed ecclesiastical customs and procedures; without being revisionist in matters of Doctrine.
AMONG THE IMPORTANT changes implemented by the Second Vatican Council (1962-65) was the de-emphasizing of Latin; which had been the official language for the Catholic ever since the earliest days. In its place, Mass would now be said in the vernacular; being the language of the locale in which the Mass was being celebrated.
THERE DID SEEM to be some consternation on the part of Catholics; as it seemed that it was Latin and Gregorian Chant one week and English and Guitars and Tamboreens the next.* It was indeed a most interesting time to live in, the cultural flux then seemed unreal.**
AS FOR THIS series, we must say that we didn't realize that this show was on ABC for 3 seasons. It was never a favourite; as this reporter was going through a rebellious period then, not attending church, playing the iconoclast and drinking beer under aged, horrors!
WE DID SEE it on occasion; if only to see Miss Sally Field. The former Star if the GIDGET TV Series, had been a favourite and donning that Nun's Habit didn't change that. We later learned that Sally was just four days younger than this reporter, a fact that has little bearing on this review; but we couldn't help but do a little bragging!
THE PERFORMANCE THAT the young Miss Field turned in was quite credible and proper; considering the sort of hybrid premises and storyline. As for her "Flying", it's a classic case of what Walt Disney called "The Plausible Impossible"; being the means in which certain occurrences in animated cartoons can be "explained."
AFTER ALL, WITH Sister Bertrille's diminutive size and her wearing the Habit, which would strongly catch the wind (particular her headgear) she could have a propensity toward gliding like a kite; if not exactly flying.
THE SERIES, SET Puerto Rico, made for some beautiful scenery and impressive panoramic photography. It boasted of a seemingly highly skilled and dedicated stock company in pulling off what could have been strictly laughed at instead of laughed with. The supporting players included: Madeleine Sherwood as Reverend Mother Superior Placido, Marge Redmond as Sister Jacqueline, Alejandro Rey as Carlos Ramirez, Shelley Morrison as Sister Sixto, Linda Dancil as Sister Ana and others.
PERHAPS THE REAL value of THE FLYING NUN was to tell us to lighten up a little. Could that also be the message of The Second Vatican Council?
NOTE: * We wondered then why the individual Parishes weren't retaining at least one Latin Mass on Sundays. Later, they did (some did, anyway.)
NOTE ** Although considered to be sacrilegious in some quarters, Satirist Tom Lehrer's song, The Vatican Rag (1966) sums it up.
AMONG THE IMPORTANT changes implemented by the Second Vatican Council (1962-65) was the de-emphasizing of Latin; which had been the official language for the Catholic ever since the earliest days. In its place, Mass would now be said in the vernacular; being the language of the locale in which the Mass was being celebrated.
THERE DID SEEM to be some consternation on the part of Catholics; as it seemed that it was Latin and Gregorian Chant one week and English and Guitars and Tamboreens the next.* It was indeed a most interesting time to live in, the cultural flux then seemed unreal.**
AS FOR THIS series, we must say that we didn't realize that this show was on ABC for 3 seasons. It was never a favourite; as this reporter was going through a rebellious period then, not attending church, playing the iconoclast and drinking beer under aged, horrors!
WE DID SEE it on occasion; if only to see Miss Sally Field. The former Star if the GIDGET TV Series, had been a favourite and donning that Nun's Habit didn't change that. We later learned that Sally was just four days younger than this reporter, a fact that has little bearing on this review; but we couldn't help but do a little bragging!
THE PERFORMANCE THAT the young Miss Field turned in was quite credible and proper; considering the sort of hybrid premises and storyline. As for her "Flying", it's a classic case of what Walt Disney called "The Plausible Impossible"; being the means in which certain occurrences in animated cartoons can be "explained."
AFTER ALL, WITH Sister Bertrille's diminutive size and her wearing the Habit, which would strongly catch the wind (particular her headgear) she could have a propensity toward gliding like a kite; if not exactly flying.
THE SERIES, SET Puerto Rico, made for some beautiful scenery and impressive panoramic photography. It boasted of a seemingly highly skilled and dedicated stock company in pulling off what could have been strictly laughed at instead of laughed with. The supporting players included: Madeleine Sherwood as Reverend Mother Superior Placido, Marge Redmond as Sister Jacqueline, Alejandro Rey as Carlos Ramirez, Shelley Morrison as Sister Sixto, Linda Dancil as Sister Ana and others.
PERHAPS THE REAL value of THE FLYING NUN was to tell us to lighten up a little. Could that also be the message of The Second Vatican Council?
NOTE: * We wondered then why the individual Parishes weren't retaining at least one Latin Mass on Sundays. Later, they did (some did, anyway.)
NOTE ** Although considered to be sacrilegious in some quarters, Satirist Tom Lehrer's song, The Vatican Rag (1966) sums it up.