edgeofnight

Thank you for sharing this with us. I actually helped a friend, a professionally trained ballet dancer, to write her book 'Ballet Secrets for Skaters.' Zina was always in the back of my mind as I was helping my friend Barbara write her book.

Sad news to convey to all of you. Zina Bethune (Barbara Latimer) was killed in a hit and run accident over this past weekend. The 66 year old actress got out of her car to help an animal in distress on the road, according to 'We Love Soaps.' I remember her very well from her days in Rosehill, but I also remember her when she played the daughter of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt in the 1960 film 'Sunrise at Campobello.'

A little bit of Secret Storm trivia...two actors on the show became the son and daughter-in-law of the legendary Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. Linda Purl was briefly married to Desi Arnaz, Jr. Lawrence Luckinbill, who played Frank Carver, has been married to Lucie Arnaz since 1980. He was formerly married to Robin Strasser (AW & OLTL)

Of course, Terry Kiser hit big time fame TWICE...at about the same time that he was on Secret Storm, he played in an Alka Seltzer commercial where he played a newlywed bridegroom who has had a less than favorable gastrointestinal reaction to his wife's first home cooked meal. The wife is seen in bed, on the phone enjoying what she deemed her 'moment of triumph,' while a bedraggled Terry Kiser stumbles into the bathroom to take a couple of Alka -Seltzer tablets. The actress, who played the bride, Alice Playten, passed away last year at the age of 63. Kiser is now 72. His other big claim to fame was as the 'dearly departed' in the series of 'Weekend at Bernie's' movies. I'm trying to think back to the storyline where he played twins, and if memory serves me, Terry Kiser's character, masqueraded as a returning Vietnam War veteran in order to pull off some scam on one of Woodrbidge's more affluent families. It's slowly coming back to me. Please bear with me, because if you knew the medical problems I have been going through (for the past 11 years), you would be shocked...My medical melodrama could, easily, fuel several soap opera storylines. I'm suing for medical malpractice...the simplest procedure was botched up 4 1/2 years ago. I can't wait for my day in court, if I last that long. On a brighter note, I can happily tell you that the new book that I am a featured contributor, 'Survival of Soap Opera: Transformations for a New Media Era,' published by the Univ. of Mississippi Press, dec 2010, is coming out in paperback form in March 2012. My chapter recalls my memories of 'The Edge of Night,' which for many years airred immediately after or before 'Secret Storm.'

That was Terry Kiser. He's yet another unforgettable actor from 'The Secret Storm.'

The role of Keefer must have been a hoot for Troy Donahue to play because it was a total departure from the clean-cut image he had in 50s & 60s. Long stringy hair, perhaps even a moustache or beard, I can't recall, at the moment. Whiskey swigging, Harley Davidson afficionado, brass knuckles...etc. The two of them, Diane Ladd and Troy Donahue were a joy to watch together. I believe Keefer came to town because he had some dirt on Kitty, and threatened to spill the beans.

When you get old and crotchety, like me, some details may slip by you. My other 1,001 current medical maladies don't help either. I do recall Kitty Styles being involved, or at least in her backstory, she had been involved with R.B. Keefer, who came to Woodbridge, in hopes of finding Kitty and stirring up trouble. Keefer was played by the former 1950s/60s teen heartthrob Troy Donahue. If memory serves me, I believe Keefer was murdered. Kitty was one of a kind. If ever there was someone who had been in the school of hard knocks, she was one, but her sheer grit and determination helped her to overcome life's obstacles.

Kitty Styles was feisty and didn't take any nonsense. She had, obviously, acquired this demeanor, as a result of her (backstory) relationships. You could see the hurt in her eyes, but the curling of her lips and gnashing of her teeth told the story of a very dtermined woman. This really struck a chord with me, because, strangely enough, my wife is a virtual carbon copy of Kitty Styles. so, I guess I have the 1971 writers of Secret Storm and the incomparable Diane Ladd for steering me into my wife's direction a dozen years later.

Just caught a glimpse of actress Diane Ladd (Secret Storm's Kitty Styles) as her daughter Laura Dern won at the Golden Globes awards. What memories.

No, Frances Sternhagen is still alive. I read about her in our local gannett chain newspaper occasionally. I wish I could help you with the latter question. Sorry.

I just wanted to give a shout out to fellow Westchester County resident and acclaimed tv, movie and stage actress Frances Sternhagen, who is 82 years old today (Jan 13). My favorite scene of her on 'Secret Storm' when she held Gary Sandy at bay with a pitchfork. What a remarkably talented woman, and what a distinguished career she has had.

Hello EricMontreal22: I was a member of the Paley Center, and, so enjoyed going through their video archives. Sadly, with my illness and my infrequency of going into the city, it wasn't worth my while to keep up the membership. But, if my situation should change, I will be more than happy to renew my membership. My question, though, since this is a OLTL Tribute thread is this: I never understood why they killed of Vicki's sister, Meredith Lord Wolek in 1973 (Lynn Benesch). I remember that storyline so vividly, and always thought it was a mistake that she was written out. Was it storyline dictated or did Benesch choose to leave the role?

Happy 97th Birthday Meg Mundy!

The one scene of Judy from The Secret Storm that has always stayed with me was when Susan, standing at the doorway, yelled out for her son 'Petey,' as he was struck by an oncoming car. I've always remembered that scene...

It's been so long since I read the book, and of course it's been a long time since it came out (1994). I wonder if she had any relationship with her much younger half-brother, who was born posthumously after Clark Gable's death. If memory serves me, the half-brother would be about 51 years old now. Talk about a soap opera! Wow!

'We Love Soaps' is reporting the death, last Friday (Nov. 25, 2011) of Judy Lewis, who is best remembered as being Susan Dunbar on 'The Secret Storm.' In 1994, Lewis' best-selling book 'Uncommon Knowledge' revealed that she was the out-of-wedlock daughter of screen legends Clark Gable and Loretta Young. She was 76 years old.

I remember my mother talking about Dana Andrews. Back in 1944, when the iconic mystery film 'Laura,' was lensed,(directed by Otto Preminger) the production company actually shot on location exterior scenes in White Plains, NY (Westchester County). My mother was working at a bank at the time, and eveyone was excited about having a movie filmed in the area. I always remember the opening credits featuring Dana Andrews -- in the university setting.

Thank you for bringing back such wonderful memories...Andrea Whiting and Emily Rogers. Of course, my heart will always belong to Kathryn Walker (who played Emily) for her Emmy winning portrayal of Abigail Adams in the PBS mini-series 'The Adams Chronciles.' (I'm privileged to know the son and namesake of the man who wrote The Adams Chronicles for television.) You are so right...soaps were so much more creative back then. The headwriters of today's shows should be made to watch episodes of these classic shows of the past.

Today, (Nov. 5) Andrea McArdle (Wendy Wilkins) turns 48. Happy Birthday! (That certainly makes me feel old...if Andrea is 48!)

Wow! Thanks, once again for the fabulous magazine clips! I wrote to Teal Ames and told her, but she wasn't able to navigate the site, so, I'll make copies and send them to her. She is currently in a play where she is an Irish maid, whose antics make the audience howl with laughter. Next, she will be appearing in 'The Uninvited,' and lastly, she will be starring in 'Kimberly Akimbo,' a 16 year old girl afflicted with progeria, the disease where you age quickly.

On this 10th anniversary of 9/11, let us pause to remember the late T.J. Hargrave (1962-2001) who played T.J. Werner, the adopted son of Drs. Joe and Sara Werner on Guiding Light (1974-76). He was working as a Vice-President of Cantor Fitzgerald at the time of the attacks on the World Trade Center.

I actually remember the announcer appearing on camera, announcing Joan Crawford's special stint on the show.

60 years ago today, Sept. 3, 1951, 'Search for Tomorrow' premiered on CBS. Thank you for all the wonderful memories.

From what I have read, Helen Wagner (Nancy) was partially responsible for alerting TPTB that they had potential gold in Larry Brygmann (John Dixon). If I recall, he, as much cited the late Ms. Wagner, in his Emmy acceptance speech when he won for Best Actor in a Daytime Drama series.

Reel life vs. Real life: Shades of Dr. Reid Oliver. Within weeks of the first anniversary of Dr. Reid Oliver's fatal encounter with an oncoming speeding locomotive comes news of a real-life similar accident. The New Haven (Connecticut) line of the Metro-North railroad was backed up for several hours today after one of its trains collided with a vehicle. Miraculously, the driver, who is 92 years old, is okay. May God bless him.