Brent

Thanks so much! I only checked my e-mail by chance today at the library and am grateful since I really haven't kept up with this site. I am so very grateful for this episode of "The Secret Storm" which I just got through playing with headphones. While I don't recall this particular plot line I do think it demonstrates the intensity and emotional darkness of the show. Recall that this was done live! When you were 9 years old this kind of thing sucked you in far more than "The Beverly Hillbillies" or "Batman" (at least it did this kid!). How pretty Donna Mills was! Note how elegant the women, (even the very young women) dressed for "at home" daytime scnes. Very understated--pumps and dresses and in Miss Mills' case a fur coat. Isn't the organ music effective. Am I alone in thinking it brings an emotional color far more effective than the generic tracks used on daytime today? Thanks so very very much!!! Brent C.

Just read the threads about the fall down the steps. Hadn't read these synopsis before now and don't recall these plotlines in detail. Can't recall one woman pushing another--but my recollection is clearly of the blonde going down the steps in the wheelchair...in any case a wheelchair was involved--even if it managed to stay on the upper landing. Brent

If memory serves the other Northcote actor was none other than Alexander Scourby who was the real life husband of Lori March. Of course, it was Rigsby who did the evil Owen/Ian bit--a feat accomplished with split screen. Whichever one was evil, (Owen or Ian--can't recall now) murdered Troy Donahue in the shower--this was about May of 70. Diane Ladd was Kitty Styles at least by Sept. of 70. Recall her specifically in the part during that month. She played, as I recall, a woman from the wrong side of the tracks--a waitress I think. Don't recall Diana Millay in the role, (though I love Millay on "DS"--was a "DS" addict at the time.) Would be great to see "Storm" articles from the 60's. All Best, Brent

Carl: Brent finally got around to seeing this thread which is most interesting. Thanks for posting. A few observations. Once spoke to Gordon Rigsby by phone (February 1971) to ask about the sets on "Secret Storm" I was at that time considering going into art direction, (I didn't but still follow it). He was very nice and told me that the "brick wall" outside Valerie Ames' front door was only 5 feet. Saw both of the action sequences Producer Weiss rightfully boasted of. The first, the wheelchair fall on "Where the Heart Is" took one's breath away--it was so stunningly effective. It occurred in December, 1970. I think it was close to Christmas since I was off from school (an 8th grader at the time)--normally couldn't see "WTHI" except in summer. The character involved was a girl with doll like features and very long, (almost waist length) platinum blonde hair. Man did she, (or stunt double actually) go down those stairs! This sequence was a well done as any in a feature film. It occurred in December, 1970. The "Secret Storm" auto accident occurred in February 1971 and featured Amy and another character named "Mickey" and another man whose name escapes me. It took place on a deserted stretch of interstate highway due to icy roads. Mr. Weiss neglects to mention that the scene incorporated actual film footage shot of the Mustang (or another smallish sportscar) driving on the snowy highway and then careening off the road. This footage was interpolated into the car interior "mock up" on the sound stage (with the process screen "movement" going on behind the onstage car interior). Very slickly done and memorable! Boy did the organ have a field day "stinging" that sequence at the end of the show, (it was the climax of course). All Best, Brent

Probably not much interest since these boards are largely from much more recent shows which since mid 70s have been preserved. BOE was a long time ago. I'm a dinosaur. I was a 13 year old kid armed with my portable tape recorder. Had I been able to see the future would have recorded entire episodes. Will try to post clips eventually. At least the "Where the Heart Is" crowd will be able to hear the show's rather melancholy theme. But don't expect stereophonic high fidelity. All Best, Brent

I had the tape transferred to a CD for preservation. Be forwarned--there's some deterioration--Miss Eaton's voice is speeded up and sounds a bit like a ten year old Brenda Lee (why does this warping happen to old tapes?) but the vocals there--as well as the announcer calling her name at it's conclusion amidst the applause. Would be interesting to compare against her studio recording which is out there for those who want it. I thought this tape was lost. Funny too because in closing credits there's an audio promo for "Fame is the Name of the Game--starring Yvette Mimieux new this fall on ABC." Also a few audio dialog snippets--and I do mean just snippets--about Johnny Lamont and the LSD--i.e., "Eddie Perrone had had the hospital psychiatrist examine him, because we first thought it was a mental breakdown with him screaming about fire and snakes..." I am from the technologically challenged rotary phone generation, but my cousin's husband knows about such things and I will speak to him about it ASAP. He's a doctor so I thank you for your patience in the meantime. All Best, Brent

"Best of Everything" audio clips. For all 5 people out there who might be interested I discovered an old audio tape on which I recorded the Connie Eaton vocal of the theme on 9/7/70 as well as opening and closing music. Also, theme to "Where the Heart Is" and a bit of "Search for Tomorrow" (theme and dialog snippets with a character named "Ida" and a younger woman befriending her. All from summer 1970. Brent

Thanks so much for the cast list! They must have changed something since Miss Eaton did appear and sing the title song on 9/7/70. I both watched the broadcast and tape recorded it. The pop song trade weekly magazine, "Billboard" also mentioned the appearance in it's 9/19/70 issue p.31 (published ahead of actual date as trade weeklies used to be). Article mentions that Miss Eaton performed the number in a night club setting. You can view this in digitized form on the internet through a Google search, using "Connie Eaton" + "Best of Everything." Interesting to speculate as to why she was interpolated into a script in which no such sequence appears. Does the script indicate the kind of illness the Lamont boy has sustained? Why is Kim suspected? How does the attack against Kim in the deserted store occur? Thanks, Brent

Thanks again so much. This is interesting. Johnny Lamont was a little blonde boy about 13. He didn't take the LSD deliberately--there was a box of chocolates that were laced with it. The LSD must hit immediately since he dropped to the floor and started writhing. The deserted store looked abandoned and very derelict and scary--off the beaten track. Kathy Glass was injured in its environs. Don't remember Randy Wilson though I might if I saw him. Would you mind confirming the Connie Eaton appearance on Sept. 7th? It's odd that the list of sets doesn't include a night club since that is what she sang in. If the appearance is in the script which characters go to the club . What is the club called? It's odd that Jean Dadario office is listed as a set since Dadario was a staffer on the show. Would a scene have been taped in her actual office? Would love to read these scripts some time. I believe kinnies must exist for some of these--if not with the network then with the producers etc. All Best, Brent

Enjoyed your comments. I can assure you it was an absorbing program to watch, that in my perception, didn't talk down to the audience, and wasn't in any way juvenile. One writer said it was the Eugene O'Neill like serial of daytime TV. I don't know about that--but it was heavy and didn't make any bones about it! If you wanted Grandpa's old world coffee pot whimsy, you had better tune into another program. All Best, Brent.

Wonderful 1961 clip which conveys the brooding quality that was particular to SS at that time, and also confirms my supposition that there are 1960 kinescopes of SS "out there" waiting to be catalogued and made available for full viewing again. Wonderful stuff! Keep the "Secret Storm" coming. All Best, Brent.

This is indeed fascinating. The work schedule is interesting but raises a question for me. Inasmuch as final dress rehearsal was from 2:-2:30 p.m. I wonder when make-up/hair/ and costuming occurred? It would take some time to get the ladies hair out of rollers, made-up with falsh lashes etc, and dressed before the final dress rehearsal. Do you suppose the performers did this during the lunch break? In looking at the studio address in Google Maps there is a large smoked plate glass window building--which looks very post 1970. If it is the same place it would appear to have been renovated in the ensuing years. As to the interesting listing of sets, I have a few speculations, which your perusal of the script will either confirm or not. Given that I recall Ktherine Glass being savagely attacked in a slum alley during this period, I would venture that the deserted store interior/exterior is a locale proximate to her attack, that the hospital waiting room is where her relatives await word on her survival chances, and that the chapel is where her freinds have gone to pray for her recovery. Of course, after all these years, I may be all wet. Please keep these enticing bits coming! Many thanks, Brent.

Where the Heart Is Recollections. Can't offer very much that is substantive here though I did occasionally watch the show. Three concrete recollections. On the preem, (September 8th, 1969) the very first scene was of Diana Van der Vlis answering her kitchen door to admit Diana Walker. In the winter of 1971 a young female character with long blonde hair, confined to a wheelchair, went down a flight of stairs in the chair, (don't know whether she was pushed or not). Scene was very well staged and very realistic. The opening credits featured close ups of a butterfly in slow motion alighting on various flowers in a sunlit garden. Brent.

Wow! Would that we could get a synopsis this detailed for all the preceding years of "SS". All Best, Brent.

Interesting to see "B of E" and "SS" referenced on the same page. Informative clipping! Many thanks. Brent

Thanks for all the interesting posts and links. So good to know that there are people out there for whom "The Secret Storm" still means something. Hopefully, others will "chime in" as "SS" memories continue to be revived. All Best, Brent.

Jon: P.S.--I meant SS worked best in black and white. So much for my rushed typing!!! BU

Dear Jon: Thank you so much for your gracious reply. I must admit I was hesitant about commenting on "SS" since I sensed it is so out of touch with today's daytime serials, not to mention that I know nothing about most of the modern programs emphasized on this site. Felt like a fish out of water, but the young people on this site have been so gratifying in their interest. And you are certainly a font of knowledge!!! Thanks also for the info on "Karen Clemens". I felt that she was almost certainly Belle's younger sister, but remained un-positive, since, although she was heavily featured in the Belle's return/Robin plot line, she was shortly thereafer written out of the show. I can see her very clearly in my mind's eye right now--I would say that she wasn't much above 23 or so. Incidentally, it was she who was featured in the drowning sequence, diving in to save Robin. Wouldn't it be wild if that location footage still existed somewhere? In that connection, is your friend's Joan Crawford episode a black and white kinescope or color from original video master? Although many video masters were "wiped" some were saved I am told. Joan wasn't bad. I already knew her work, and was a huge movie buff as a kid. If she had seemed way off, I would have yelled: "Hey mom come into the living room to see "Secret Storm"--Joan Crawford's bombing!" Incidentally, before each of her appearances, the announcer, would say, :"Ladies and Gentleman, the producers of the "Secret Storm" take great pleasure in announcing that the role of Joan Kane will today be played by Miss Joan Crawford." As to the black and white vs. color I'm with you. Although the other soaps had re-painted their sets, perhaps SS didn't. I do remember the hullabaloo surrounding the conversion of "As the World Turns" since a great deal was made of their move to the big, new CBS center production studio. The premiere in color, or an early episode in color, was Patricia Bruder's outdoor wedding, which was done with a huge cast and an enormous cyclorama. CBS made quite a thing of that! But SS worked better in color. For me, its strongest mise en scene would be about 1964 in Marjorie Gateson's living room. Your observation about the films of the 30's and 40's is relevant, and the "feel" and look was almost that of a Kay Frances film. One wouldn't have been surprised to see Constance Collier drop by. SS was far advanced beyond the early 50's episodes that have been posted on You Tube by this time, (was it still originating from Leidercrantz Hall by the 60?). In any case, there were better, more spacious sets. The reason in my view that the serials were so much stronger then, is fairly simple--they originated in New York City and were heavily populated with theater people. The acting was excellent even when the scripts weren't since the players brought a level of committment to the material that would be rare today. And where would you find performers like that now--like Lester Rawlins, whose cultured speaking voice, honed on Shakespeare became so famous on the Benson and Hedges commercial. And thanks so much for that wonderful promo of "The Best of Everything"--it's a real kick in the head that takes me back. Can you believe I remember that show when I only watched it 3 months 40 years ago? And now, I can't remember things from last week. Again my thanks, All Best, BU