Paul Raven

re Ben Jerrod Isabel Randolph's character was Hannah Zee. Lance Fuller is listed as playing Abel Collier jn an NBC press release.

An NBC press release for Ben Jerrod states that Michael M Ryan had previously appeared on As The World Turns.

Some more info... Ben an idealistic young lawyer, left his law practice in Chicago for Indian Hiils, Rhode Island (his home town) for a more meaningful way of life. John P Abbott is a former judge with a languishing law practice. Ben has complete faith in the judge, although puzzled as to why he resigned rather than defend himself against charges made against him. Agnes is the judge's daughter and secretary. she's attracted to Ben, although understands he is waryt of romance due to a past unhappy affair.

There'll probably be heaps of soap actors in there as well.

Re From These Roots Jean Shepherd as Milton Sweetwater debuted Feb 15 1961 and appeared occasionally thereafter. Milton was 'a colorful and vocal TV producer who doesn't bother to read the scripts he presents'

With Turner in the role,Nola and Sara really look like sisters.

Re Sally Gracie Add 'The Working Mother' NBC Daytime special aired Dec 8th 1960

I think Joe was her cousin not her brother. Still he vanished without explanation, as did Cricket's dad later on.

Laura Malone did get a raw deal at that time. She was one of the few actors that survived that post Lemay era and all the comings and goings. Blaine was always frontburner and given different leading men and varied stories which often sent the character in a million different directions but she made it work. To be dumped like that was awful. Rich only signed on for another year I believe. A few years later P&G put a stop to that as too many big names were hedging their bets by only agreeing to one year contracts.

IMO the problem is that Days is still trying to write the show in the same style as the 80's and 90's but without the time/budget to do so. They need to look back to the 60's and 70's when the budget was tight and it was live to tape. By necessity the stories had to be intimate and personal. Just interactions between a small group of characters. No master criminals, millionaires, brainwashing etc Just back to basics. Trouble is Ron and others knowledge and history of soaps probably only goes back to the 80's and they see that as definitive soap opera.

Re Portia Faces Life Jack Ragotzy's role was Wynn Carleson. he was killed off June 11 1954

Melody herself spoke out about Nikki having a career saying that she didn't believe Nikki would be interested in working for the reasons mentioned. She was basically selfish and interested in others only in terms of how they reacted to her. Also wanted to mention that at Melody's 40th anni celebration J Eddie Peck and Rob Parucha were there but not Roberta. May have been a scheduling thing but interesting nonetheless. Also Robert said he was contacted by Y&R about availability to return as Matt but couldn't commit. But it was later that the recast appeared and Parucha says he wasn't contacted for that and would have been happy to come in.

Variety May 54 Robert Hutton, Adele Mara and June Kenney set as leads for 'My Sister and I' from American National Studios. Plans were to syndicate a full years worth of shows.

Some info on Woman To Remember The story concerned a radio soap opera Patricia Wheel's character was the star of the soap John Raby played the director Joan Castle's (not Catlin) character was a replacement actress disliked by the other castmembers.

Aug 67 Tom Donnelly, writing in the 'Washington Daily News' of a news conference with MacDonald Carey, who plays Dr. Tom Horton in an afternoon TV Soap opera on NBC-TV, 'Days of our Life,' quotes him as saying: "For a time we tried attacking social problems on our show. We talked about cancer and abortions and we were goingto do something with water pollution. Bui those things just didn't grab our audience. Anyway, in doing research we found "that a great source of water pollution is detergents and that is why we decided to forget about water pollution."

Re Nat Polen Add Tom Corbett 1955 World of Mr Sweeney 1955 Captain Video 1955 (perhaps this is the ranger Carter role?) Also his ATWT began in 56, not 61 as listed

Yes that was Richard Holland. He bcame a soap writer? or is that a different Richard Holland. Looking at the 1983 episode I thought Anne Sward could have played Penny.She evoked Rosemary Prinz. maggie's office had nothing on the hideous fahion boutique. A little of daffy Lisa goes a long way...

Jan 25 - 29 54 1. Howdy Doody NBC 15.8 2. Pinky Lee NBC 13.0 3. Arthur Godfrey CBS 10.8 4.Strike It Rich CBS 9.8 5. House Party CBS 8.9 6. Big Pay Off CBS 8.1 7. Guiding Light CBS 7.9 8. Search For Tomorrow CBS 7.5 9.Valiant Lady CBS 7.2 10.On Our Account CBS 7.0 11. Love of Life CBS 6.8 12.Bob Crosby CBS 6.7 13. Garry Moore CBS 6.6 14.Double Or Nothing 6.5 15.Garry Moore CBS 6.3 16. Kate Smith NBC 5.4 17. Atom Aquad NBC 5.1 18.Bride and Groom NBC 5.0 19.Ding Dong School NBC 5.0 20.Welcome Travellers NBC 4.8 21. Today NBC 3.2 22. Hawkins Falls NBC 3.0 23.Three Steps To Heaven NBC 2.8 24.The Bennetts NBC 2.8 25.Kate Smith NBC 2.0

re Three Steps to Heaven Add John Pavelko 1954

No the Corringtons didn't start until 78. Peggy O'Shea and Irving/Tex Ellman were writing around this time. Lovely pics. Mary said Lynn and Gretchen Walther were the two Patti's that she considered friends. It would have been lovely had Lynn appeared in the final episode. Maybe Jacquie Shultz is there and Jo asks Patti to step outside and Lynne appears.There's a flashback to the first ep with Mary and Lynn.

Another Rosemary Prinz radio role Front Page Farrell 1954

Tracy arrived in Pt Charles for Alan and Monica's June 78 wedding. Their honeymoon was delayed as Monica had to testify at Lesley's trial. gail agreed to be matron of honour. It is odd that there have never been photos of A & M's wedding. You would think the wedding would be featured. I've seen no mention that they eloped. SOD simply states 'Monica and Alan are wed!'

Jill was the daughter of Dr Adam Streeter (Brett Halsey). She was manipulative and jealous of her father's attraction to Dr Gina Dante. From 75, when the Dobsons left until Marland's arrival in late 77, the show went through several headwriters and there were a lot of changes. However, Rick and Jeff Webber , Heather, Monica,and Laura were established amongst others in that time.

SOD published some ratings for week ended Dec 12 1975. No numbers just ranking 1. Match Game 2. All in the Family 3. ATWT 4. Y&R 5. SFT 6. GL 7. AW 8. AMC 9. DOOL 10. GH

Maura West was miscast, the writing was bad and Diane was destroyed. Maybe Maura should have been a new character, not that there's been much success on that score either.