edgeofnight

I've been sick with bronchitis, which has been been affecting my (4th) abdominal) hernia. I absolutely love these magazine clippings...I distinctly remember having the Bruce Martin article... I do have some good news to share...the book, edited by Sam Ford, in whcih I share my memories of Edge, has finally been published. 'Survial of Soap Operas: Transformations for a New Media Era,' published by the University Press of Mississippi. The publisher sent me a complimentary copy, and the book looks absolutely wonderful.

Re: Melba Rae's passing...I actually wrote a letter of condolence to her widower, Gilbert Shawn, and recieved a very nice acknowledgement and a photo of Melba...I was 15 or 16 at the time.

I am going to be getting in the mail a DVD with the very first episode of SFT on Sept. 3, 1951. Can't wait to see it!

I just received the April 3, 1956 episode of Edge (the second episode) along with the February 1961 episode in which Sarah Lane Karr dies...Wow! Is all I have to say. In the first show, Don Hastings, Mark Rydell and Teal Ames appear. I may end up making a copy and give it to Don Hastings at next week's Paley Center Tribute to ATWT. The second episode is so well done...it features Walter Greaza, John Larkin and Teal Ames...unbelievable raw emotion...powerful...it's no wonder the switchboards lit up when Sarah died. I believe it...what a powerful episode.

I definitely agree with you, All My Shadows. I hope I'm around to see it.

Dear CarlD2, I have been told my 'benefactor' that he/she is the only one to have these kineoscopes (a friend transferred them to DVD). I have heard so many stories about Sarah Lane Karr's dramatic exit...and to think that I will actually have a copy of it is thrilling beyond words. Maeve was delighted to hear about the book I participated in (Sam Ford's book) and the American Popular Culture Association Annual Conference in St. Louis this year. It did my heart proud to have my co-presenters (many of them esteemed college professors) come up to me and reminisce about Edge and telling me how special the show was... I told Maeve that I am presently suing for medical malpractice for my continuing medical woes, but I told her that even though I have confidence in my attorneys...I would much prefer to have Adam Drake handling my case. She agreed with most heartily!

I wanted to share some happy news with you...I am being given a very special gift...two episodes of Edge on DVD...the first one is, amazingly enough, the show's second episode -- April 3, 1956...and the second one is the one in which Sarah Lane Karr was tragically killed in February 1961. I should them in a couple of days, I am told. Yesterday, I received the most beautiful letter from Maeve McGuire...who when she signed it, also wrote 'aka Nicole Travis Stewart Drake.' I know I have been in ill health, but I must have died and gone to 'Monticello heaven' this month...because the month keeps on getting better for me, and we've only past the first week mark. Maeve loved being on Edge...loved it when the show was done 'LIVE,' and said that 'it was never a dull moment' being on the show. There is not a day that goes by that I don't think of her and the show...If ever there was a show that deserved a comeback, in either daytime or primetime, it's Edge...truly 'one of a kind.'

Brent, I have news for you about Judy Lewis. You remarked in an earlier post that you thought that even though Judy was 'adopted,' you thought that she looked like her famous superstar mother Loretta Young. Well, I've got news for you...Judy was Loretta Young's biological daughter, born out of wedlock, and her papa was none other than the LEADING MAN OF THE 1930S...Clark Gable. Judy wrote a book about it. If I recall, she did not find out about her true parentage until she was a grown woman about to be married, herself. The book, Uncommon Knowledge was published in 1994. It is a fascinating story.

I have wonderful memories of 'The Secret Storm,' including the time that the legendary Joan Crawford substituted for her daughter. One memory that stands out is my mind is the scene where Frances Sternhagen's character held a pitchfork to her 'son' Gary Sandy. Ms. Sternhagen is an accomplished stage and television actress who lives in my home county of Westchester. She's getting up there in years, but she is still acting, but if I ever get the opportunity to meet her, i will do so. Of course, Gary Sandy went on to 'WKRP in Cincinnati.' Other Woodbridge nymphettes I remember fondly are Audrey Landers and Linda Purl. I loved the storyline with Laurie Stevens (Stephanie Braxton) and the priest (David Gale)...even though I was raised as a Catholic. My heart will always belong to Jada Rowland and Marla Adams and, most especially, the elegant Lori March. I wrote to her, but sadly, the address I had for Ms. March Scourby was not correct. I would have loved to connect with er after all these years. The reason why I wrote to her is something that has been bugging me for years...I was 17 going on 18 when SS was cancelled, but I keenly remember talk that the show's owner, American Home Products was shopping the show around for a possible syndication deal to another network. Nothing came of it, but I distinctly remember an effort being made at the time.

I am happy to report that my long awaited lunch with Donald May and Carla Borelli took place this past Thursday (March 11). They could not have been more gracious and hospitable to me. We had a wonderful conversation, so much so, that I, foolishly did not take any photographs while I was there. They have a beautiful piece of property. 130 acres! They've had the property now close to 30 years. And they're starting their own maple syrup venture. They were very interested in hearing about my upcoming participation in the American Popular Culture Association's annual conference where I will be speaking about Donald and The Edge of Night. The conference will be held in St. Louis, Missouri from March 31 - April 3.

I am happy to report that my long awaited lunch with Donald May and Carla Borelli took place this past Thursday (March 11). They could not have been more gracious and hospitable to me. We had a wonderful conversation, so much so, that I, foolishly did not take any photographs while I was there. They have a beautiful piece of property. 130 acres! They've had the property now close to 30 years. And they're starting their own maple syrup venture. They were very interested in hearing about my upcoming participation in the American Popular Culture Association's annual conference where I will be speaking about Donald and The Edge of Night. The conference will be held in St. Louis, Missouri from March 31 - April 3.

Yesterday, I heard from the last surviving female from the original cast -- Teal Ames, 1956 - 61, who played Sarah Lane Karr, Mike Karr's first wife from 1856 - 61.

My lunch with Donald May has been re-scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 25 @ 12 noon. Here it is, Feb. 24, and they're predicting 6 - 12 inches of snow tomorrow...My lunch may be postponed again!

I wonder whatever happened to that young boy on the show? Can't remember his name or his character's name. Can someone fill me in? He had dark hair, and was thin.

David Froman, Gunther Wagner, has died of Cancer at the age of 71 (Feb. 8, 2010)

Carla Borelli called me this afternoon. Donald May is in the hospital. Our lunch has been postponed.

Thank you, in advance, for any help you can offer. I just got an e-mail from Chris Weatherhead (Alicia Van Dine). She will be calling me later in the week.

I am very happy to report that I will be having lunch next week with Carla Borelli and Donald May.

I have nothing but the fondest memories of Love of Life. Ironically, I always associate their February 1980 cancellation with the death of the Grande Dame of Washington, DC society - Alice Roosevelt Longworth, Teddy's eldest, at age 94. (Feb. 20, 2010)

Yes, it is. I am very excited about both the book and the conference.

I am delighted to announce that I am to be featured in a book entitled 'The Survival of the Soap Opera Genre,' being published by the University of Mississippi Press. In the book, I was interviewed about my 21 year love affair with EON. I was one of only two fans invited to the studio on the final day of taping in December of 1984. In conjunction with the book's publication, the editor/author and I have been invited to speak as part of the Soap Opera Panel at the American Popular Culture Association Conference in St. Louis, Mo., March 31 - April 3, 2010. I am thoroughly delighted at being able to share my love for this wonderful series. In fact, I am three weeks younger than EON and ATWT. Both shows premiered on CBS on April 2, 1956. I started watching the show in January 1964. I would like to present a video montage as part of my presentation, but my only problems are: 1) I am not technologically saavy and 2) I am now disabled. If anyone could put together a montage of the hsow for me on a DVD, I would be eternally grateful.