Paul Raven

A Portia Faces Life update as of 1943 A aoap opera that outdoes its sisters, in the realm of feminine drama, is achieving something of a record. "Portia Faces Life" might be said to do that, in presenting an heroine who has to meet-not only the private heartaches (as reported by fiction writers) of a mother and a woman in love-but also the public problems of a criminal lawyer by profession. In general, Portia Blake's name and character are patterned after Shakespeare's lawyer -heroine in "The Merchant of Venice." Like her, the 20th Century Portia wants to temper justice with mercy, but radio listeners are probably more enthralled by her struggles to keep both her sweetheart and her child than by her tense courtroom battles to save people from injustice. Unlike her Shakespearean counterpart, author Mona Kent's Portia now has a war to contend with, and her current trials are bound up with Nazi spies and saboteurs. Prior to this, however, she has had many personal problems which late - come -s to her audience should know about, to understand the characters who play a prominent part in her story. First of all, there was the unhappy marriage of Walter Manning, her fiance. Society girl Arline Harrison had forced him to marry her, through his belief that this was the only way to save her life, but she had soon realized that he was till in love with Portia. She attempted to "frame" the woman lawyer, was saved from the consequences of her plot only by Portia's own legal skill, and finally divorced the husband who didn't love her. Meanwhile, Walter had gone to Europe as a foreign correspondent, and Portia threw herself into slum clearance work in Parkerstown. There she found a loyal friend in Miss Daisy, whom she took into her own home as nurse for Dickie Blake, her son by a former marriage. Unluckily, she also crossed the path of the town's corrupt "leading citizen," John Parker, who tried to pin a murder on the fighting young lawyer, in order to get rid of her. Although Portia managed to prove her innocence, the trial gave Mrs. Amelia Blake, her mother-in-law, a new excuse for trying to take Dickie away from her. In Europe, Walter was imprisoned in the dreaded concentration camp at Dachau while his Nazi double, Nicholas Veit, came to America to impersonate him. Veit tried to marry Portia, so no one would suspect his true mission sabotage-but she stumbled upon the real truth and began collecting evidence to prove his subversive activities. That is the situation leading up to the more recent episodes, as described on the following pages, together with portraits of the players who enact the principal characters. PORTIA BLAKE (played by Lucille Wall), the lawyer heroine of 'Portia Faces Life," is defending her fiance, Walter Manning, against a charge of treason. She alone knows that he is being tried for the crimes of a Nazi agent who had impersonated him. Walter had killed the impostor, in order to save Portia's life-but, in the absence of the body as evidence, Portia has been unable to prove, even to his friends, that any double ever existed WALTER MANNING (Bartlett Robinson)-a newspaper man and foreign correspondent-returned from Europe to discover that his place had been taken by a German spy who looked exactly like him. Portia alone believes that "Walter Manning" has really been two different people-and he is now being tried for treason on the very evidence she herself had collected against his double. ARLINE HARRISON (Nancy Douglas), vivacious but spoiled society belle, uses tank tactics to get what she wants. She wanted Walter, and once snared him-only to lose him. Determined that Portia shall not have him, no matter what else happens, she gave perjured testimony at his trial which might have convicted him of treason, but for Portia'r brilliant cross-examination MISS DAISY (Doris Rich) is devoted to Portia and has stood by her through trial and mistrial. She lives with her, taking care of Dickie. and acting as combined companion, nurse and housekeeper. She has been a buffer for them both, through one disaster after another, and is one of the few people on whose help the busy lawyer can rely. AMELIA BLAKE (Ethel lntropidi), mother of the widowed Portia's former husband, has long had a hidden but grim determination to take Portia's son, Dickie, away from her. Using both her frail health and her immense wealth as weapons in the unequal struggle, she has tried to win the youngster's affection away from his busy mother, while Portia was practicing law to support him BILL BAKER (Les Damon), ex -newspaper man now a captain in Army Intelligence, was once Walter's closest friend but is now his bitter enemy. Believing that Walter is guilty and that Nazi threats had been able to persuade him to shed his democratic principles rather than his skin-Bill is helping the District Attorney with the prosecution. He wants to save Portia, whom he loves devotedly, from a miserable life with a cowardly "traitor." ELBERT GALLO (Karl Swenson), long respected as a well-to-do publisher, was really the ringleader of a crew of Nazi saboteurs, exposed by Portia's investigation. Although Gallo knows that the false Walter is dead, he has resolved to drag the real Walter down into disgrace and a traitor's death with him, as a final revenge KATHY MARSH (Selena Royle) is a real friend of Portia', but, as a busy dietitian, plays rather a minor role in the lawyer's professional life. Her wholesome common sense has often been a personal comfort to Portia-and Portia is going to have need of all her friends in the next developments which she faces in the story of her dramatic life, according to present plans.

Happy New Year! Now that you're back some 2021 requests George Kennedy Michael Wilding Lindsay Bloom Sarah Cunningham Marc Singer Jim McMullen and some more radio roles Harry Bellaver Central City Fred Olsen Backstage Wife 1951 Helen Claire This Life Is Mine Nikki Blake 1944 Young Widder Brown Angela 1947 Our Gal Sunday 1948 Florence Freeman Mother In Law Joan Allen Lane Story of Mary Marlin The Open Door Lisa Arnold Pepper Young's Family Connie Davis

No evidence for this on my part but I get the feeling MS doesn't want to be paired with PB as he is 67 and she wants to present as eternally 40 and way too hot to be paired with an old dude. Anyway, here's what she says about Peter in the latest SOD Favorite Thing About Working With Peter Bergman? “He’s so kind and good and he really cares about you in a scene. He’s so givingand just wants to honor the history of the characters. I respect Peter tremendously and how he lives his life. He’s a team player because to him, it’s all about the story. Also,if I have some issue at work, I can always call Peter and be like, ‘Is this my imagination ...?’ And he’ll say, ‘No, you’re right,’ or ‘That’s not right.’ ”

Susan Keller becomes the next Mary in Nov, Wesley hangs around for Xmas.

Some stats for September and October Mike appearances Sept 2,4, 9, 10, 11 Nothing in October Trish Sept 1, 11, 12, 15, 17, 23. 24 Oct 10, 14. 16, 21, 29 So Mike was established as getting an apartment and a new job then nothing while Trish is getting one or two appearances a week. Victoria Wallis is an interesting character in that she may have been set up by Laemmle as a new love interest for Mickey long term while Maggie gets involved with Kyle or just a fill in lawyer while John Clarke was off the show for whatever reason. Once Laemmle is gone so is Victoria despite Tune in Tomorrow saying she becomes Mickey's partner. John Clarke was off from Aug 26 till Oct 16 a 3 week break. Tod #1 last appearance Aug 16 Paul Keenan debuts as Tod#2 Sept 24

I agree that the twists need to be few and far between. Olivia looked stunning and I love Symone's attitude. Of this batch only Candy Muse is bothering me. I thought her outfit stood out(badly) compared to the others and the makeup/wig looked basic. As for her personality....

With all the revolving door romances, why has Phyllis/Jack never been revisited? Jack had another fling with Nikki a couple of years back but Phyllis seems to be a no go, despite the fact that it is as viable as any other pairing. Meanwhile Jack has nothing and Phyllis/Nick are getting another go round. Is it a case of either MS or PB against the pairing for some reason?

Jane had a hit single a duet with Bing Crosby - 'In the Cool Cool Cool of the Evening' in 1952.

Arturro was the celebrant just like Devon was for Chance and Abby. I guess they don't want to have aday player on set at this time? Or it's just a budget thing?

Not sure why they felt to add this twist to ep 1. It got a bit repetitive and all those lip syncs diminished the impact, especially as no-one really slayed it. I wasn't super impressed with any of the outfits. My favorite would have to be Symone - just came across as naturally amusing as opposed to Tina Burner who was channelling big girl drag 101 and the quirky one who seemed to be bizarre for the sake of it. Let the music play!

Yes, if the line was there to point out Lucinda's ignorance and Jessica put her on blast, that's one thing, but it appears the script left Lucinda unchallenged so Liz nixed it.

From a 1995 SOD interview with La Hubbard 'Another time they wrote something that offended me and I checked it with Tamara (Tunie ex Jessica). Lucinda was supposed to say, 'I know what it is to be a black woman. I know because I had a hard childhood.' I said, 'What? This is insulting'. I don't know how I changed it, but I changed it, she recalls. On the other hand, concedes Hubbard, People who are writing soaps, they write so fast ,they don't always have time for the finer points.

Three I can think of - Jodie the pregnant teen that Brock helped in 77, Nikki's VD trauma in 78 and Sharon/Julie teen runaways in 79 -all Summer 'social issue/teen stories'

Jeanette Nolan Young Dr Malone Louise Milton John Raby House in the Country Bruce Marshall Henrietta Tedro Myrt and Marge Lil Parker Ralph Camargo Road of Life Chuck Burke

Yes, even though it sometimes came off as clunky, I think Bill Bell knew from experience that too much crossover could complicate things and drag the story down. The half hour format couldn't support it. Better to focus on the main characters in the story and play down/ignore the other connections, unless it was needed. I'm sure the reverse was in play where Leslie would tell Lance she didn't want to worry her dad at this time when he was so occupied with Peg, thus keeping Stu out of things until there was time and room to accommodate it.

Looking at the Y&R summary it seems Lorie and Leslie were all into Brad and Lance while Chris and Peggy were busy with Peg's rape. Did Bill Bell do any crossover here? Surely having your youngest sister raped and facing a court ordeal would take some precedence in your life? Or did Bill write a scene along the lines of Stuart telling L&L : What would be best for Peg right now is to see her sisters living their lives and not being dragged into this ordeal. She knows how much she is loved by you and that is worth more to her than seeing you sitting in a courtroom watching her innocence being torn apart again...

Based on my recall of the show at the time,I imagine there would have been a small area of fake grass, probably a wall covered in greenery, a couple of deck chairs and the edge of a 'pool'.

Don McLaughlin Dangerous Roads Pierre Bradley Thunder Over Paradise Gilbert McCauley Kate Hopkins Angel of Mercy Duke Duncan This Life Is Mine Ed Lorrimer Wheatena Playhouse 'Lydia' Young Widder Brown 1946 Lora Lawton 1947

Variety reported in June 1949 that ABC was prepping a new sitcom 'The First Hundred Years' by Jean Holloway. Dealing with the adventures of a young married couple mixing tragedy with the humorous elements for a change of pace. Yes, cos in 1949 nothing helps a sitcom along like some tragic events. Oh look, nosey Mrs Sickybeak from next door just got hit by a truck. Maybe Jean and the ad agency realized the tragic elements might be more suitable (and sellable) for a soap.

Santos Ortega The O' Neills Carlos (later role to Mr Collins) By Kathleen Norris 'Woman in Love' George Davis Maureen O'Sullivan Dreft Star Playhouse'Hold Back the Dawn' Emmy Brown Elmira Roessler Romance of Helen Trent Valerie Wayne Dan Sutter Manhattan Mother Tony Chandler Maurice Tarplin Front Page Farrell Guy Morrow 1949 Betty Winkler Thunder Over Paradise Carmencita Midstream Eva Porter Light of the World Just Plain Bill Clare Cameron

Whoever owns the rights to The Doctors had them up for grabs for several years before Retro acquired them. At one point it was stated that Hallmark had purchased the series. Whereas P&G is not offering its soaps in the marketplace at all so its a whole different ballgame.

General Hospital The name of the reporter played by Lee Anthony was Terry Dresser.

Three Steps to Heaven add Miriam Goldina

Gary Pillar (Carpenter) Capitol CIA Agent Dawson

John Considine references Y&R (from AW Homepage) "The Young and the Restless." I was fired from this job approx. two months after signing with them. I played the rich guy, Chamberlain? Something like that. The husband of Jeannie (can't even think of her name now, Corbin Benson's mom), and after a couple of shows we photographed like mother and son, instead of husband and wife. Character makeup didn't help, and so they replace me. First and only time. Not a happy experience.