JAS0N47

Jam6242, thanks for uploading that pic of Jack Herzberg (was looking for a nice pic of him last night)...I knew I had seen one in one of those magazines, but didn't feel like looking through all of them just to find that one pic, so you've saved me all that trouble!! Can finally replace the not-too-good one of him I have on his memorial page....Thanks again!!

OLD PIC:

NEW PIC:

Here's the first page of the 1974 "Days" press kit released by NBC. For all the pages, please visit http://www.jason47.com/days/presskit1974.html

AND A CHILD IS BORN!

Check out Jason47's Days Website and read the in-depth details of Episode # 2571 (airdate: Friday, February 6, 1976), the day that Laura and Bill's baby girl, Jennifer (as yet unnamed), was born!

http://www.jason47.com/days/birthjennifer.html

Such a detailed writeup. She has so much potential as an interesting character. I'm sorry it never went anywhere.

I wonder if any of that ever went into Valerie Grant, or if none of that was from Bill Bell.

The terms they worked out with Bill when he created YR was that he stay on as head writer for 2 years (73-75) and then stay on another 3 years as story consultant (75-78), so officially he was there for the whole run of Valerie's storyline, but who knows exactly how much input he had after leaving to do YR. Pat Falken Smith was basically the de facto head writer for 73-75, then took the title officially in 75.

May 1969 Afternoon TV.

Got the info on Annie Mae when I had the Mike's birth stuff researched: She was classmate of Sandy's. The way Bill Bell wrote up such a detailed debut scene in the script notes, it seems he did have plans for Annie Mae, but the character never appeared again after this one and only episode.

Annie Mae is a student at Salem University. She has a scene with Sandy. Sandy has just learned that her parents are getting a divorce and is crying outside the chemistry lab.

(…Also to the three young women who approach the chemistry building, one of these young women is Annie Mae Jackson—a gentle young woman of quiet composure, whose total being personifies inner beauty—a rich, deep empathy and awareness for and of her fellow human beings. There is nothing physically commanding in her presence. She wears little make-up, her hair is very simply done, her clothes while neat are obviously inexpensive. The flimsiness of her cloth coat seem to contradict the season. But Annie Mae has that spark, that inner quality that insulates her from not only the cold of winter, but also the chill of prejudice; an inner glow, that on contact, warms hearts and melts bigotry; a simple and unassuming young black woman of eighteen. Annie Mae is not unaware of the restlessness of her people, not in any way unsympathetic toward them—or any human being be he black or white—but she is still searching within herself to find a certain status and dignity, is still hoping to find her place under the sun, the key to her own destiny and to that of her people. As Sandy sits there, her books on her lap, Annie Mae and her two friends approach—one black friend, the other white. Since both Annie Mae’s friends are looking in her direction it is not surprising that they are oblivious of Sandy. But Annie Mae does take notice—and it is after they’re walked about five feet beyond Sandra that Annie Mae looks back at this obviously distressed young woman)

Annie tells Sandy that they better get to class because the professor doesn’t like tardiness. They don’t really know each other but Annie explains that she has noticed her in class with a bright smile and feels like helping her would be like figuring out why a flower doesn’t bloom? She at least doesn’t want her staying here in the winter’s cold. Sandy questions why she came to class. She doesn’t know what to do. Annie asks if it's boy trouble. She says no. Then Annie asks if she’s sick. She answers no again. Then Sandy opens up that her parents are divorcing. Annie gives her a huge speech about praying, helping yourself so you can help others, the whole “get busy living” speech. Sandy feels a little better, enough to walk with her new friend to chemistry class.

According to Jason47's site, Calomee was only in one episode. Odd that they would do an article about her.

The only script that mentions Annie Mae is 1/16/69:

1/16/69: Mickey, Mark, Kitty, Sandy, Annie Mae.

Sets: Mark’s Living Room, Kitty’s Small Hotel Room, Mickey’s Office, Bench Setting on Campus.

JASON47'S FROM THE VAULT: A LOOK BACK AT DAYTIME EMMY NOMINEE PEGGY McCAY's "DAYS" DEBUT:

Take a look back at Peggy McCay's first episode as Caroline Brady (which happened to be Roman & Marlena's wedding!) from February 7, 1983 and see what Caroline's first-ever line of dialogue was (and who she said it to)...

Congratulations, Peggy, on your 3rd "Days" Emmy nomination!!

http://www.jason47.com/days/carolinedebut.html

No, Sami broke into the house late at night and I think Roman shot his gun or something like that. She was stalking john and i think kim at some point before that.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuY7LP3GHA0

"Days" original cast member John Clarke (Mickey Horton) has just been found in the 1940 census. Clarke's census image joins many of the "Days" cast already featured. Here are the direct links for the Clarke family census: http://www.jason47.com/jason47b/images/1940ClarkeJohnB.jpg and http://www.jason47.com/jason47b/images/1940ClarkeJohnAb.JPG

On the census form, it states that John was born in Texas, which differs from the birthplace of Indiana that has always been listed for him. This could simply be an error, however, since a search of the Texas birth records found no record of Clarke. Clarke's father, Leo George Clarke, was in the Army, and so the family lived in many states in the 1930's and 1940's. At the time of the census, they were living in San Antonio, Texas.

Clarke's father, Leo George Clarke, received the Distinguished Service Cross for his bravery in France during World War I. Here's the info on Clarke's bravery: "The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Leo George Clarke, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 11th Infantry Regiment, 5th Division, A.E.F., near Remonville, France, November 5 - 10, 1918. Lieutenant Clarke set an example of bravery and self-sacrifice to his men during the period November 5 - 9. On 10 November while assembling his company, he discovered a wounded man lying in a place exposed to machine-gun fire, and, regardless of his own danger, carried him to a place of safety." Sadly, Leo George Clarke died in 1959, never getting the chance to see his son become famous on "Days."

To check out tons of other "Days" cast and crew from the 1940 census, please visit these two pages of the site: http://www.jason47.com/days/1940census.html and http://www.jason47.com/days/1940census2.html

May 31, 1966 was a significant date in "Days" history...the day that Bill Bell signed on as head writer and helped save the show from being cancelled back in 1966.

As we near the 47th anniversary of that day, here's a special treat for "Days" fans in this edition of Jason47's From the Vault: http://www.jason47.com/days/vault1966.html

You're welcome! I also thought Bell was finished with Days in 1975. But the magazine is definitely dated 1977. There are also discussions of events that happened in the latter part of 1976 (e.g., Doug and Julie's wedding).

Bill Bell's final episode with Days was Episode # 3137, aired April 14, 1978. One of the provisions of Bell being able to leave and do YR was that he had to stay with "Days" for 5 years (1973-1978).

Thanks Jason.Without checking,I assumed previous regime had created the character of Laura. So I guess that Bill wasn't happy with her interpretation of the role.

Well Peggy Phillips I guess officially created Laura in episode # 165 (aired 6/30/66). But my point was that when the role of Laura was actually cast, Bill Bell was already the head writer by then.

TIMELINE:

1. Peggy Phillips creates Laura Spencer when she writes episode # 165 (say it's written a month early, so 5/30/66).

2. Three episodes later Peggy is replaced by Bill Bell (episode # 168, say around 6/3/66).

3. Bill then starts writing his first episodes in early June (for airing in early July).

4. Floy Dean tests and gets cast as Laura sometime in June (after Bill was already working for the show).

5. They were only taping ONE WEEK ahead of airdate back then, so Floy tapes her first episode on June 22, and it airs June 30.

Just checked the files, and that video above from the August 4 episode is only the 6th episode for Laura!

Peggy Phillips included Laura in her last 3 scripts with the show (6/30, 7/1 and 7/4).

Bill Bell then looks like he decided to slow down the character and she appeared just a few times during his first month writing for the show (7/14, 7/27 and 8/4).

Here's a Floy scene I uploaded a few years back:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=478AtsIO4kw

Floy was cast probably after Bill Bell had been hired. The scripts are written a month or so in advance, so although Floy debuted on June 30, and Bill's first episode didn't air until July 5, he was already on board (and Peggy Phillips had already left) by the time Floy was cast & started airing as Laura, even though they were still working off of Peggy's last week of scripts.

Read all about the early "Days" stars in this newest Jason47's From the Vault release!

"Who's Who in Daytime TV" was an annual magazine that had details about all the stars from all the soaps. Check out the "Days" gang from the first four issues of the magazine from 1967, 1968, 1969 and 1973. They seem to have not published an issue in 1970, 1971 or 1972, since 1973 is listed as issue # 4.

http://www.jason47.com/days/whoswho.html

Carl, nice find on the Jones family pic!

Far as I can tell, Jeff was one of the prisoners with Bill & Doug. He (and his family) were only on between May-July 1970, so that shows how far behind magazines were at the time, showing their family portrait six months after they had last appeared. The kids were basically just U/5s though, just in a few episodes. It was Jeff who was in the most episodes (24), and his wife, Gracie, had a few appearances (5) too.

I don't remember Sharon so I don't think she had a major story with Mike. I do remember Jay. Again, I don't think he was a major character, just someone to cause some conflict for Mickey and Maggie.

Sharon Reynolds, as played by Monica Gayle, was supposed to be a bigger character. They even had her do some promotional photos for the show, but she was phased out after just 4 episodes. Guess she didn't click with Mike. She only aired on 11/23, 12/4, 12/14 and 12/17.

Jay Livingston (Larry Delaney) was Maggie's first boyfriend (whom she had dated off-screen before meeting Mickey). He had 3 brief stints on the show:

9/73: 2

10/73: 3

11/73: 3

12/73: 4

1/74: 10

11/76: 2

12/76: 1

2/79: 3

Thanks Will! I didn't have any of the 1973 synopses yet, so they are a welcome addition to my "Days" archive. I have the weekly synopses from June 1976 onward, but I still need to fill in some of the monthly synopses from 1974, 1975 and the first half of 1976.

FrenchFan posted a few awhile back from 1974, so here are a few of those that were already in my files. If you happen to get January & February 1974, that would fill in those two missing months!

MARCH 1974

Days Of Our Lives

Written by : William J. Bell

Produced by : Betty Corday

Jim’s detective found Linda was living with a man in Boston but he is not Mickey. Bill begged Laura not to let her guilt feelings destroy their love. At “Marty” ’s urging, Maggie visited Dr. Strothers in Salem to see if her paralysis could be cured. In Salem, she overheard Laura and Tom discussing Mickey’s disappearance and realized Mickey was Marty. She learned he has a wife and a child but accidently saw Bill and Laura kissing. She came back to the farm horrified and feared Mickey might remember his life. Ironically, Dr. Strothers told Tom his patient left before he could tell her she could be helped.

With Greg working evenings, Susan spent time with Eric for his book. She did not realize his writing is autobiographical.

With Addie’s remission, Julie was shocked when she realized how much she wanted Doug and her together again. She told Don she then wished to marry her but he refused. She ran into Bob and told him that if she wanted her, she would marry him. Ironically, Phyllis came to Julie for advice about Bill’s divorce request. Largely on the basis of Julie’s advice, Phyllis decided to give Bob his divorce. Julie told Addie she would not destroy her future. Julie and Bob visited Doug’s place announcing ther were eloping to Portofino. Unable to explain this to Phyllis, Julie mailed her a letter. Phyllis told Laura that she couldn’t take it if Bob remarried right away. In Portofino, Julie and Bob married but their wedding night is a disaster. Phyllis found the later and hysterically smashed up Bob’s studio.

APRIL 1974

Days Of Our Lives

Written by : William J. Bell

Produced by : Betty Corday

Maggie was having nightmares about Marty being Mickey Horton. Dr. Strothers wrote saying surgery could help her wal again but she felts she could not risk going back to Salem. Later, she saw she was late by the calendar and Marty and see were sure she was pregnant. Marty ordered a law correspondance course and Maggie fearedhe might be begin to remember he was a lawyer. Tom hired a detective to locate Mickey which upsets Bill.

Elderly heart patient, Ivy Howell learned her sisster was ill and penniless in Paris ans asked Greg to go with her to bring her home. This angered Susan terribly. The night before leaving, Greg even spent the night with another Curtis patient, Amanda Howard whose husband’s recent death causer her deep depression. He convinced her to see Laura to discuss why she called herself Miss Howard. Neil had been telling Amanda she needed a psychiatrist because she felt guilty over the fact she was having an affair before her husband’s death. Meanwhile, Susan was resentful of Greg’s departure and her daughter, Ann was burning up with fever. Ann had a rupture appenidx and Bill was called to do the surgery. However, Ann had peritonitis and went into a coma.

Julie’s family was quite off balance by her sudden elopement with Bob. Addie was shocked to learn that Julie did not believe she never knew Julie and Doug were in love when she married him. When Bob learned Phyllis of his remarriage, she sarcastically told him she already new. She refused his financial help. Julie was touched by Bob’s generosity. At Doug’s place, Phyllis confronted Julie. Mary, Bob and Phyllis’ daughter came home and was stunned to learn Bob’s marriage. Mary and Julie accidently met and Mary accused Julie of long range plan to trap Bob and take him everything he got.

JULY 1974

Days Of Our Lives

Written by : William J. Bell

Produced by : Betty Corday

Doug was devastated when the police told him Addie was killed by a car. She died saving their baby Hope. Doug asked Alice to take Hope. Julie received a letter from a mother saying that despite all their problems, she loved her. Julie felt Doug blamed the baby for what happened to Addie. Jeri Clayton, a former singer agreed to sing at the club during Doug’s absence. But one night, her husband Jack accused her of having an affair with Doug.

Neil begged Amanda to assume their affair and she refused to see that he was witholding any real commitment from her. Neil had forbidden her to tell Laura he was the man. Greg took pity on Amanda when Neil canceled a date and took her to Doug’s. She was crushed to see Neil with another woman. She even picked up a bottle of pills but Greg arrived and she told him she only took two pills. Then she told Neil she saw him with the other woman and he tried to use passion to soften her.

Phyllis admitted to Laura that the accidental shooting of Mary was indeed an attempt to kill Julie. She admitted she needed help and realized her fear of growing old alone. She also realized the portrait she painted of Julie was actually of herself and her illness. Julie and Phyllis destroyed the portrait.

Tom was sure that the farmer in the newspaper could not be Mickey but after learning the farmer Marty Hansen was from Brookville, he travelled there. He confronted Maggie and when Marty arrived, Tom recognized his son. Maggie begged Tom to let Mickey alone after she admitted she knew he had a wife and a child. Tom talked to Mickey who said he did not care about the past. Tom couldn’t help but see how happy Mickey was. He left very unsure of what to do. Meanwhile, Michael was getting used to the idea of Laura marrying his uncle Bill. Tom told Laura about Mickey’s new life and she said things had to remain like that but she felt she had to see him herself. Maggie was making initial application for adoption of a five-year-old boy when Laura arrived at the Hansen farm and Mickey told him how happy and contented he felt with Maggie as his wife.

Generally in those days recurring seemed to mean character oblivion. I don't know if that changed until budgets began shrinking.

Back in the mid-late 1970s though, there were a lot of actors not on contract that were used a lot. Samantha, Donna, Steve, Valerie and Danny to name a few.

How long was Mike on the show?

Mike was on from 10/15/68-6/24/70.

That was the entire contract cast when the show went to an hour. Mary Frann & Joe Gallison were upped to contract status that day (April 21, 1975). By the end of the year (1975), they also added Robert Clary, Margaret Mason, Jed Allan, Richard Guthrie, Brooke Bundy, Adrienne LaRussa, Susan Oliver and Patty Weaver to the contract cast.

Susan Flannery decided not to stay with the show once it went to an hour, but she stayed on a few weeks until May 27.