The classic comedy “M*A*S*H” has many beloved characters, but Father Francis Mulcahy, played by William Christopher, is one of the most lovable. He's an odd duck, an Irish Catholic priest who is wise beyond his years in many ways, but childish at times. Despite being a priest, he rarely expresses his moral failings to his comrades, morality is complicated (especially in times of war) and people's morality lies between them and their Maker. It's complex and compelling, and Christopher's performance makes it feel real. It's funny because at first Christopher stopped casting completely, but he brought so much to Mulcahy that he and the character became somewhat inseparable. Heck, writer and co-star Alan Alta even created an episode about Christopher's fight against hepatitis in a matter of art that reflects life.
One thing Christopher does is he seems to be a good father and it's a lot of fun. In an interview with Tuscan Citizen (via MeTV), Christopher shared that he likes to spend time between filming scenes of “M*A*S*H” reading ancient Greek poetry, in its original ancient Greek!
A very Mulcahy habit on the set of M*A*S*H
Although Father Mulcahy was a Catholic priest, he was well educated in other religions and had an impressive vocabulary that he used frequently, making him unique for a holy man. He had a worldly depth that belied his sweetness, and that came largely from Christopher. He said to the Tuscan citizen:
“In this life of transistors, I take Homer, almost 3,000 years old, and I remember that Alexander the Great always carried a copy of the 'Iliad.' I know I enjoy nothing more than reading Homer in ancient Greece because it gives me a sense of continuity in life and shows that some things in life endure.
It's pretty deep stuff, and you can almost imagine Father Mulcahy explaining the same thing to Hawkeye (Alda), Clinger (Jamie Farr), or other members of his somewhat wrong flock. While most priests did not read or speak ancient Greek, they generally knew Latin, so it was not a huge leap. The characters in “M*A*S*H” were beautiful and heavily influenced by the actors who played them, and although the actor was not Catholic, I felt that Father Mulcahy was completely Christopher. However, there was a big difference between the man and the character he played because only one of them knew how to listen.
Christopher had mastered pretending to pay attention.
While talking about ancient Greece sounds very clever, Christopher is quick to point out that his beautiful vision as Father Mulcahy is an old acting trick. “People often think I have deep thoughts when I look into space. It's nothing, but I don't like to deceive them,” he said. He said it was actually a little scary and that he learned to use that look in jam sessions when he was learning to act. He said he used the same look on his teachers at school to make them think he was paying close attention when in reality he was distracted. Although very relatable, he is very different from Father Mulcahy, who cares deeply for the people who occasionally seek his advice. That's what makes losing your hearing in the series finale so heartbreaking; Although he had always listened very carefully, he had lost the ability to hear.
Mulcahy's deafness was rediscovered in the short-lived series “Aftermash,” the character's arc on “M*A*S*H” was incredible, and he is one of the best characters in television history. Thanks to William Christopher and his ingenious gestures for making Father Mulcahy truly great.
