Paul Raven
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After some sleuthing,i managed to locate a cast list from an old TV encylopedia,which may not be completely reliable.
Anyway,they have these actors listed for these roles
Court Benson-Willard
Greta Rae - Ginny
Luis Van Rooten - Simon Gross
Conrad Roberts - Ed Stark
This reference also lists Kathleen Murray as having played Maggie.She had played the title role in the 50's NBC soap 'Kitty Foyle' Could be a mistake or she might have been a temp.
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That's what is so great about the articles you are posting as they are giving details the reference books overlook.Keep them coming!
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I can't find any info on these actors re The Doctors
Court Benson (he was married to Beverlee McKinsey in the 60's),Nick Savian,Greta Rae or Angus Duncan.
When the show was an anthology some interesting names pop up including Tina Louise,Jacquie Courtney,Dyan Cannon,Joel Crothers,Jessica Walter,Virginia Dwyer,Barbara Berjer,James Farentino,Patty McCormack,Doug Marland,Mona Bruns and Bonnie Bartlett and I'm sure that there were many more.
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Fantastic article Carl.several actors I have not seen listed before.I always thought Jody Lee was a female.
Steve is always mentioned as a ladies man,yet none of his women are mentioned.Did he ever have significant relationships while Carolee was pining for him.
So Rita Lakin was still headwriter in 70.She started in 66 so that continuity was probably good for the show..I'm sure the Pollocks began in 70 so Ira Avery must have been a short lived writer in between.
I don't think Lakin ever wrote another daytime soap,which seema pity.
She recently penned a murder mystery novel.
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I'd have to check to match up Sear's tenure with storylines.
Haidee Grainger was the other producer who appeared out of nowhere and was short lived.
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What a treat! Fran Sears has always been a bit of a mystery.She certainly seemed upbeat and enthusiastic. The storyline with paralyzed Paul broke new ground in that it tried to explore the issue,rather than just being a plot device.
I wonder what happened ,as Sears stint wasn't long lived. Maybe she couldn't handle the pressure.I t would be interesting for someone like her to give an insight on how things went wrong.
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Katherine Phillips died last year. It would have been great if someone had interviewed her about her career and her legendary mother.After AWA she doesn't seem to have done any more soap writing. I read that Katherine Babecki,who is listed as an ATWT writer in the 60's, is in fact Katherine Phillips.
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Great thread Carl and I'm sure some interesting stuff will be posted.
Fun to see youthful Tom Ligon and Nick Surovy as they are so fixed in my mind as Lucas Prentiss and Mike Roy.
Other notable cast members were Matthew Cowles,Susan Sullivan,Robert Gentry.David Birney and Dorothy Lyman.(by the time I posted this,you had posted the rest of that great article,so some of those names were mentioned)
At some point,the Hollands took over as headwriters.Did the Phillips (mother and daughter) abandon the show?
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For the record,Bethel Leslie took over the role of Maggie Powers from Ann Williams in Nov 65
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Tom was killed off in Feb 78.Tom and MJ were only married for about 6 months and the abuse story was their only storyline. At some point Lauren White left and Carla Dragoni took over before Kathy Glass .MJ was support for several months until becoming involved with Colin Wakefield towards the end of 78.
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Tom did indeed hit Ricky.Synopses at that time have MJ admitting at the Parents Anonymous meetings that her attitude drove Tom to the abuse.I wonder if that's how it played or there were more levels to it as that would not fly today ie a wife's fault that her husband was an abuser.
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No,I believe Frakes played Tom until he was killed off,along with Virginia Dancy in early 78 in the restaurant fire.
Ricky was sent to live with MJ's sister Ellie and her husband on their farm.
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Looking at the final cast list,it's interesting to see who went to another soap after cancellation.
Joel Crothers went to EON,Velekka Grey to LOL,Jobeth Williams to GL, Jameson Parker to OLTL,Ted LePlat to LOL,Barry Jenner to AW,Philip McHale to OLTL,Georgann Johnson to ATWT,James O'Sullivan to AMC and Tina Sloan to SFT
There are probably a few others I've missed out on.
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OLTL-Sam Schact replaced Michael Ingram as Vinnie Wolek in early 79 while Ingram worked on the Broadway musical Sarava.
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Elvera Roussel tested for the role of Delia on RH and was called back but instead accepted the role of Hope on GL.
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In Dec 77,the show taped segments at a Manhattan center of Parents Anonymous for the Tom and MJ child abuse storyline.Actual sessions of the group's meetings were used.
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Greg was the Robert Rockwell character. John James was Tom and David and Kathy had a one night stand.
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Yes Carl,I was reading some Somerset stuff and realized there was no thread.
Apparently,in the dying days,Toni Bull Bua was written in to be re-united with husband Gene in an attempt to grab publicity and ratings by creating a Steve/.Carrie/Denise triangle.
Of course Gene and Toni had been very popular as a team on Love of Life in the late 60's.
Also,P&G were hoping to move the show to CBS or ABC a la EON the year before,but no deal. It does seem optimistic for P&G to think either would pick up a struggling soap that never scored in the ratings.
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April 76 SOD Synopsis
The smile that crosses Dale's face when he sees Ellen could have lit up the whole city of Los Angeles. Bursting with the enthusiasm of young and drunk with the intoxicating wine of love, he rushes to Ellen's side. Ellen backs away a bit. Dale's surprised and slightly hurt by this move. Ellen quickly explains the reason. She says she had a lot of time to think when she was away, and she has come to a decision that she knows Dale is not going to like; she has decided to end their relationship. It will be the best thing for them in the long run. He has given her a lot of happy moments and she'll treasure them always. Dale accepts Ellen's decision.
The next few days are marked by a remarkable change in Ellen. There's a new bounce in her step, a new glint in her eye; it's almost as if she has been reborn. This new attitude is most evident in her involvement with her work. She has taken a personal interest in Brian Gamage, a young boy, who can't talk. His mother says it could be psychosomatic since countless doctors have not found any physical cause for his lack of speech. Ellen suggests she let Jerry Kane examine her son. Mrs. Gamage agrees, and Ellen sets up the appointment.
Greg has been suffering for a long time with investigative reporter's itch; an ailment that results when there's little of newsworthy importance to require an investigation.
He has almost adjusted to his predicament when an ointment appears, in the guise of a story on an arson ring. The police have one of the suspected arsonists in jail on a stolen car rap, the other, Mr. Gamage, is lying in a hospital bed in critical condition, (his partner left him to die in a fire).
Greg knows the uncovering of this arson ring would make a great story for the Register -- and possibly earn them the Pulitzer Prize -- and he goes about trying to get the imprisoned Mr. Bailey to confess. Mr. Bailey is not about to turn "stoolie" and he's getting quite tired of Greg's jailhouse visits. He hints that Greg better lay off the story if he knows what's good for him.
Tony's on a downhill slide and it's becoming quite noticeable to everyone. Tom Conway tells Vicki that Tony's completely wrapped up in her. He hints that Tony's mental condition may lead him to do something rash. Vicki's beginning to feel quite guilty; she never wanted to hurt Tony that badly. She had hoped he would play the game by her rules.
The 1970s version of Sherlock Holmes does not carry a magnifying glass nor smoke a pipe, but instead has in his possession a pen, notebook and tape recorder. He can usually be found on the staff of countless newspapers scattered across this great land.
Greg Mercer, hot-shot investigative reporter on The Register, is definitely one of these "new Holmes." He's currently hard at work on the investigation of an arson ring, and like the old master he doesn't let fear get in the way of solving the mystery -- or in his case, what's more important, getting "the story." Greg has been receiving threatening phone calls and visits, but he just ignores them. Though he shows a lack of concern for his welfare, his friends, especially Carrie, urge him to drop his sleuthing. Greg's too wrapped up in "the story" to pay attention to them.
If the rift between Dan and Julian isn't healed soon, it will probably reach the proportions of the Grand Canyon. Each of them has a different version of The Register. Dan wants a more "folksy" paper, chock full of human interest stories, while Julian wants to keep with the style he initiated -- hard news and investigative reports. So far Dan is humoring Julian along, but Julian knows Dan controls the purse-strings -- and the hiring and firing strings -- and this means it may be "Tales of Somerset" or one editor's tales from the unemployment line, if he doesn't start toeing the mark.
Tony Resigns from Paisleys
and is returning to the family business, Delaney Brands. He's not going alone, he asks his secretary to join him at his new job.
The head of Delaney Brands, Rex Cooper, has arrived in town. He's not too happy about the mess his son has created. Rex confronts Tony and orders him to return to his family. Tony looks his father coldly in the eye and says: "I can't. People change, things change, I need something else from my life now." Rex is not too happy with this response.
Ginger has gone to work at Ellen's assistant. Ellen assigns her to the Gamage case.
A Contract Killing Fulfilled
The underworld always gets their man -- and in this instance their man is Greg Mercer. They have hired a hit man to get this reporter, who they feel knows more than he printed (they couldn't have been more wrong, but the underworld takes no chances). The hit man situates himself in an apartment directly facing Greg's window. He coolly and methodically repeats the task he has done countless times in the past. He places his long-range rifle outside the window. He puts his eye against the site; gets Greg in range and fires. The bullet hits his mark. It's a nice, neat kill. Greg drops to the floor.
If Greg had heeded his friends' advice, he never would have found himself in an operating room trying to get the life put back into him by a team of surgeons, headed by Jerry Kane. Jerry and his assisting doctors try their best, but it's a thankless task since the hit man's talents leave little room for life saving. Greg dies on the operating table.
Carrie sits in the waiting room. Jerry approaches her. From the look in his eyes, Carrie knows the news isn't good. Jerry says they tried their best, but... Carrie goes into a state of shock. She just got back together with Greg and now he's gone.
New Hope for Brian
Dr. John Coolidge tells Ellen that with the right therapy Brian Gamage will be able to speak to his heart's content. He says the young boy is suffering from Motor Alexia, a psychological disorder which enables one to understand but not pronounce words. It's a trauma that probably resulted from a deep fright he had when he was two years old. Dr. Coolidge asks Ellen to get a case history on Brian.
Ellen speaks with Mrs. Gamage. The woman offers no answers. With deep regret Mrs. Gamage says she was too wrapped up with her husband, and her other four children, to notice if anything traumatic ever happened to Brian.
Vicki Paisley: Benefactor
It hurts Vicki so to see the man she loves so tormented and tortured by guilt (Julian's been blaming himself for Greg's death). She wants to do something to alleviate Julian's pain. She finally comes up with an idea. She tells Dan she wants to start a memorial fund for Greg. She says she wants the money to go to aspiring writers. Vicki asks Dan to put Julian in charge.
Dan hands Julian Vicki's check and says it's for the Greg Mercer Memorial Fund, but knowing how Julian would feel about Vicki helping him, Dan tells Julian that the check came from an anonymous donor.
"Let's get together and try to love one another right now," a line from a song sung by the Youngbloods, can be aptly applied to what Rex Cooper is trying to do right now. Rex is using all his "Dale Carnegie" persuasive ways to try to get Tony and Ginger together again. Tony is quite put-off by his father's interference (he feels Rex hasn't realized his son is now a man), but he agrees to set up a meeting between Rex, Ginger, and himself. Rex promises to head back to California after that meeting.
David Gamage Tells All
Before he died, David Gamage confessed everything to Carrie. Carrie brings the incriminating tape of their conversation to Julian. Julian exclaims excitedly this will make a great story. Carrie says she'd like to share the by-line with Greg. Since Greg started the ball rolling -- and died for it -- this would be a good way for The Register to honor him. This suggestion meets no resistance from Dan or Julian.
Work: Carrie's Novocain
Carrie Wheeler is walking a very thin line. She may be on the verge of a nervous collapse. Carrie has yet to shed a tear over the loss of the man she loves. To avoid feeling the pain, she has adopted a pattern of behavior which is causing her friends in Somerset great concern: Carrie has buried herself in her work.
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1970-76 A spin off of Another World.
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SOD Synopsis Oct 77
Cindy has to think fast! Tom stopped off at her apartment after school to see her…It seems Gary has warmed Tom away from Cindy – telling Tom the whole ugly story. Tom is frankly bewildered – and so is Cindy – but this scheming young lady only needs a minute to compose herself and rethink the story with enough twists and lies to make Gary into a lust-driven, vengeful ogre, and she the poor, put-upon virgin, knee-deep in pure driven snow! Tom believes her story about Gary pursuing her sexually at every chance he got. She tells Tom that Gary couldn’t accept her rejection. After all, who is little Cindy to reject Gary Collins – a wealthy, respected doctor of Henderson? Yes, Cindy is indeed skillfully maneuvering Tom right where she wants him! To Tom, Cindy is a virginal, hard working young woman all alone in the world who should, by rights, have an unsullied reputation. Her only problem, as Cindy paints it, is coming from the “wrong side of the tracks” and defending her virtue against the unwanted attentions of Gary!
And things couldn’t be working out better for our amateur team of detectives! Janet asked Allen to help her with the fund raising for the hospital, and also to accompany her to the dance! He readily accepts, naturally! Later on Janet stops off at the hospital to thank Allen personally, and Fay hears every word! She is outraged! She says it’s clear that Janet is in love with him! Allen dismissed the idea as silly, and suggests Fay go to Rome or Paris and wait for him. She says no way!
TURNING POINT
Later on, Fay and Allen have yet another confrontation; but this time, unknown to them, David is listening from the closet! Fay acidly suggests that perhaps Allen is thinking of marrying Janet for her money! He takes that opportunity to retaliate that such an idea might be good! He rationalizes that if he married Janet, he could channel a lot of that money to Fay! And that is the statement that will finally goad Fay into seeking out Janet with the whole story! Now she furiously tells Allen she refuses to be his mistress. She did that once for two years when he was married to Doris, and she will not do it again! The quarter of a million dollars is in her apartment right now! She tells him they should take it and run. He refuses.
When Gary, Bruce and David go to Capt. Porter with this latest finding, they are finally able to persuade him to check out Fay’s apartment. They agree, and, of course, find the money hidden in Allen’s golf bag. When the hear Allen coming, they hide long enough for him to incriminate himself as he rushes for the money in the golf bag. When Capt. Porter and his men confront Allen, Allen gives up. He tells them the truth. But they cannot locate Fay! She left the hospital two hours ago! Where is she?
Fay is holding a gun to Janet, forcing her to write a suicide note! Unknown to Janet, Fay had already slipped a vial of something (drugs? poison?) into Janet’s coffee, but does that really matter? Fay has told Janet the whole lurid tale of Wade’s murder, and now fully intends to pull the trigger on Janet, as well!
Worried about his mother, Gary calls Janet at home. When she answers, the poison has already begin to work its way through her system, and her voice is slow and measured – it’s an effort for her to speak. Still, despite the poison and the gun held to her head, Janet manages some fast thinking. She tells her son that he has the wrong number!
Fay, of course, thinks nothing of the conversation, and when Janet hangs up, forced her to continue writing. But it’s a laborious effort for Janet to even speak now, let alone write, that Fay will have to wait an awfully long time for the letter! And that’s just what Janet needs! – Time for Gary to come to her rescue!
Janet, thankfully, is rescued from Fay’s gun just in time! – But what of the poison? Janet is rushed to the hospital, and the wait to hear of his mother’s condition is agonizingly long for Gary. Luckily, he has a very loving and supportive Carolyn to comfort and support him!
The news is good! Janet will be alright! Still, the doctor stresses the seriousness of the situation. It seems Gary rescued her just in time! Another ten minutes and…tragedy would have struck a second time in the Collins’ household…
Kathy, meantime, is still fighting her way through a personal crisis of her own – the baby! Whose is it? Is Scott the father – or is David? The situation is definitely taking its toll on poor Kathy.
BECAUSE OF THE BABY
Scott comes home one day and casually asks Kathy a few questions about her health and the baby, etc. Kathy literally flips out! She accuses him of suspiciously interrogating her, and when Scott quietly explains that he’s just asking questions any normal father-to-be would ask, Kathy blocks out Scott and “sees” David! She begins screaming “stop it, stop it! Stop it, David!”
A bewildered Scott finally manages to bring Kathy out of her hysterics – and he is quite stunned himself now. He tells Kathy she was yelling “stop it, stop it,” but he doesn’t mention David’s name…
Scott isn’t the only one who is concerned about Kathy’s welfare. John feels a caseload would be too much for her to handle right now, and tells her he’s going to have David take over her cases of the time being – for her sake. Kathy won’t hear of it, however, and, against his better judgment, persuades John to let her continue her work.
Kathy’s doctor also wants to help her. Her blood pressure is dangerously high, and he suggests she see Carolyn for counseling. Kathy agrees.
But not everyone is unhappy in Henderson. Greg just asked Jo to marry him! She happily says yes, in essence, but she asks, and he reluctantly agrees, that they move slowly – though surely – toward an ultimate marriage and life together. They kiss happily, lingeringly…
Despite Kathy’s objections, John has David take over her Swanson case. John was sitting in the courtroom watching Kathy in action – only to see her stumble forgetfully about and become emotionally distraught – all of which could endanger the chances of John’s firm winning the case! He asks the judge for a recess and gives the case to David.
MORE PROBLEMS
Later, an hysterical Kathy tells David that he never would have passed the bar exam or gotten into the firm if she’d hadn’t helped him! She accuses him of trying to steal her every caseload! She yells that she’ll not let him usurp her position with the firm, and would he please just get out and leave her alone! A bewildered and concerned David tries to reason with her, but it’s impossible.
Scott and John also find it hard to reason with her. They are both concerned for her health. If she continues the way she’s going she will not only endanger her own health, but the health of the baby, as well. John and Scott meet to discuss the situation, and finally agree to talk to her doctor and, since Kathy won’t listen to them, perhaps, if her doctor talks to her, Kathy can be persuaded to listen… But that doesn’t work. Kathy finds out about Scott’s going to the obstetrician behind her back, and yells at him to never do it again… Where will the end of all this find Kathy?
Greg, meantime, has gone to Switzerland to bring his daughter Meredith home to Henderson. When he and his now ex-wife, Diane, were divorced, and she gained custody of the child, the social butterfly kept her unwanted daughter locked up in boarding schools – as a kind of full-time babysitter so Diane would never have to be “bothered” with the child. Now a young teen, the parents are called to her bedside, as Meredith tried to kill herself over an unhappy affair with one of the school’s married instructors! The poor girl is just a child – her teacher seduced her – and when she romantically asked when they would be married, he dropped her. Her young, naively romantic soul, quite literally, sadly, wanted to die…
LIZA’S BACK!
The girl’s mother is disgusted with the whole affair, but Greg, the loving father, is concerned. He takes Meredith back with him to Henderson – and to an equally concerned and loving Jo. It seems quite obvious that Jo will indeed marry Greg, and when Jo tells John herself of the happy couple’s good news, John (with remnants of unrequited love?) is quite depressed. Oh, Stephanie, perhaps now is the time to draw your little net in around John…
Liza, meantime, is home again! Steve still had to honor his Caribbean cruise contract; but when Liza heard of Janet’s hospitalization, she came straight home, vowing to remain till Janet was again in good health!
Kathy’s doctor asks Stephanie to try and reason with Kathy. Stephanie complies, only to walk into Kathy’s office as Kathy is storming out after her confrontation with David! Stephanie follows Kathy and consoles her, then returns to David. At her questioning, David tells her that Kathy is upset that John gave her case to him – But does Stephanie somehow know the real reason? She quite cynically – bitterly – tells David to forget it – he doesn’t have to spell out the real reason to her!
Poor John, meantime, is being dragged about to the town’s nightspots by the well-intentioned but misguided David, as he tries to set John up with all sorts of dates. But none of them are right. Compared to Jo, David’s array of models and stewardesses are flighty and superficial.
Kathy, meantime, tells Scott (after dreaming that her doctor tells Scott that David is the father!) that nothing matters more to her than him and Eric. Scott again tries to normalize the atmosphere around the house. He and Eric secretly fix up the baby’s room as a surprise for Kathy!
And will there be another surprise in Henderson? Lunching with Liza, Greg tells her he thinks more can be done to further eradicate her scar! Liza gives permission to consult Dr. Caulder.
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Always fascinating to find out what becomes of these actors who don't find continual work in that field.
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Robert Elston replaced Larry Bryggman as John on ATWT in 78 when Bryggman was filming the movie 'And Justice For All'.
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After Somerset was cancelled ,Tina Sloan was in the running for Laura on Days.She got the part of Patti on SFT but it was shortlived.
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ALL: Temporary Replacements
in Discuss The Soaps
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Diana Van Der Vlis replaced Judy Lewis as Susan Ames Carver on Secret Storm in the 60's.