Paul Raven

Robert Elston replaced Larry Bryggman as John on ATWT in 78 when Bryggman was filming the movie 'And Justice For All'.

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.

Bill was reintroduced as played by Christopher Stone, Pat Falken Smith was a consultant around that time and Janice,Mickey and Maggie's one time 'ward' was also re-introduced (which I attribute to Smith).There was an interview with Smith in Daytime TV,I think,but that is the only time I have seen mention of Smith's involvement at that time.. Even Jason 47's Days page doesn't mention Smith back at DOOL .

Maybe someone else can help out on this one.

Tune in Tomorrow Anna Stuart article from 77 by Jon-Michael Reed

The Doctors is testing actresses to replace Anna Stuart in the role of Toni Powers.After half a dozen years on the show,apparently there's no love lost for Anna.She spared no words to express her dissatisfaction with how her character and storyline progressed.

"It's been a part-time job for me. I'm not on very much",she lamented to Afternoon TV magazine.And the decision to transform her ex-doctor husband into a policeman was'disgusting and appalling.In very bad taste"she added."If I'm going to lose my job because of some of the things I say,then that's my experience.I'll be unhappy to lose my job,but I'm ready to give it up,but I see no reason not to talk about these things.Officially,Anna did give up and "decided not to renew her contract" according to the studio.Perhaps she shouldn't have been so outspoken or at least stayed around a while longer to see what the writers develop because the scripting on The Doctors has inproved over the past few months.

Is Stuart complaining about DePriests writing? Strong words about Mike becoming a policeman-disgusting and appalling-maybe illogical or ridiculous?Was there some way it was handled onscreen to earn that criticism?

They decided not to recast and killed off Toni.

Reed is referring to Marland when he mentions the better scripts.

GH picked up Stuart but things didn't work out there either and she left the role of Gina.

Mark LaMura tested for Ben on Love of Life and Jeff Martin on AMC before landing the role of Mark Dalton.

From NY Times May 1970

Odyssey Addicts to Assist TV Program on Narcotics

by Fred FerrettiA daytime serial on the American Broadcasting Company will become the first regularly scheduled program to heed a White House request, made last month, to use commercial entertainment to carry a warning on narcotics use to viewers.

"One Life To Live," broadcast over ABC's network daily at 2:30 PM eastern time, will begin taping actual group therapy sessions of teen-age addicts at Odyssey House in New York. These will be edited and integrated into the regular programs, about mid- June.

.... Initially, an actress will sit in on the sessions, then will take part in them," Dr. Judianne Densen-Gerber said:

"Our residents know she is an actress. There are no games, no tricks. For them it will be another way of facing reality, knowing they'll be on television."

The idea of using real addicts in a television program belongs to Mrs. Agnes Nixon, creater of "One Life To Live" and other daytime serials. She said in Philadelphia yesterday that "it was a natural outgrowth of our program."

A character named Cathy Craig, she said, is a girl "whose father is a doctor, and the girl has experimented with pills. Last January, she stole her father's prescription blanks to get speed. She has a bad trip and her father persuades her to go to Odyssey House." ...

Yes,i have photos of Ellen,but I'm not sure how to post them.

I am going to make this a priority,as I have some good stuff I'd like to share.

Another rare find. Carl, extra Easter eggs for you !! There is so little around about TD (in fact all soaps) from the 60's.Interesting that he mentions that he was written out and returned as all cast lists have him on from 65-66.The character was a cattle baron involved with Ellen Burstyn's Dr Kate.

According to imdb he died age 75 in 97 Novelist, actor and artist. Adapted his 1975 novel "The Domino Principle" into the screenplay for Stanley Kramer's 1977 film of the same title, and wrote nine other screenplays as well. His oil paintings and watercolors have been exhibited in the United States and Europe.

Y&R should let Peter Bergman go to AMC for a day or two to re-unite Cliff & Nina.

Life is back from the deadby Michael Logan

It's been 15 months since ABC - desperate to resuscitate One Life To Live - boldly went where no network had gone before: to the producer of smash-hit movie. But in hiring Linda Gottlieb (whose credits include the 1987 blockbuster "Dirty Dancing," HBO's "Citizen Cohn," and the CBS TV-movie "Face of a Stranger," which won Gena Rowlands a 1992 Emmy), ABC did much more than jump-start its 24-year-old junk heap. It may possibly have salvaged the medium.

For way too many years, network heads have labored under the assumption that to executive produce or head-write a soap, extensive daytime experience is a must. This meant new blood was consistently overlooked while show after show fell victim to a select group of rotating dinosaurs - most of whom had reputations that far exceeded their talents. Reeling from the calamitous 1990 return of executive producerGloria Monty to General Hospital, ABC broke with tradition and, starting with OLTL, turned three of its four soaps over to non-soap executive producers. The results are mixed: GH is still messy, but Lovingis nicely improved and One Life is barely recognizable.

Chockablock with hambone performances and dorky sci-fi plots (time travel, underground civilizations), OLTL was the laughingstock of daytime when Gottlieb showed up. Armed with a head writer who also had no suds experience - acclaimed novelist Michael Malone - she energized the show (and raised the ratings) with short-term, groundbreaking story arcs dealing with lupus, wife-beating, homophobia, even S&M sex. She introduced three red-hot discoveries - Susan Batten (Luna), Susan Haskell (Marty) and Grace Phillips (Sarah). But, more important, she and Malone mined deep into OLTL's existent landscape and struck a mother lode with several regulars who had long been ill-used. Among them: Elaine Princi (Dorian), Tonja Walker (Alex), Patricia Elliott (Renee) and, especially, veteran cowboy starPhil Carey (Asa), who - lo and behold - isn't the crusty old fossil we'd been led to believe but a powerful, ripsnortin' performer who deserves some respect come Emmy time. Even three-time Emmy winnerErika Slezak - who for years had been playing matriarch Viki Buchanan like a high-falutin puff-toad - has come magnificently down to earth in her romance with Roy Thinnes (Sloan). Toiling under Gottlieb - who reportedly changes her mind as often as she exhales - ain't exactly nirvana. She is said to be a perfectionist and a whip-cracker. In the final analysis, though, not only is she proof that an outsider can deliver the goods in daytime, but she's also shown an entire industry how to execute a splendid U-turn.

Soap Stars Jerry Anthony and Brynn Thayer Have Two Lives to Live, and Live Them Together.by Michael Small

For Brynn Thayer and Jerry Anthony of ABC's One Life to Live, romance began in the usual way, with sweaty palms, shaky knees and butterflies in the stomach. But, initially at least, it wasn't love that set these soap opera hearts to thumping: It was a special 1979 series of game show guest shots featuring duos from ABC's daytime dramas. Teamed on The $20,000 Pyramid against such heavies as Helen Gallagher and Michael Levin of Ryan's Hope, Genie Francis and Richard Dean Anderson of General Hospital and Candice Earley and John Donnelly of All My Children, Brynn and Jerry "wiped out everybody, " she remembers with pleasure. Flushed with success, they decided to keep their winning partnership going. Wed last November, they are now one of only three married couples with roles on the same soap, along with Susan Seaforth and Bill Hayes of NBC's Days of Our Lives and Jane Daly and Duncan Gamble of CBS' Capitol.

When Brynn, 32, and Jerry, 31, met four years ago on the Manhattan set of One Life -- TV's third most watched soap, after two other ABC entries, General Hospital and All My Children -- they barely noticed each other. Brynn, in her first acting job, was just getting used to her role as Jenny Vernon (now Janssen), an ex-nun turned suburban Philadelphia wife and mother. Jerry was already an old hand, having played the roguish ex-pimp Marco Dane -- a role that won him an Emmy nomination last spring -- for almost two years. "We weren't nuts about each other at first, " says Brynn. Nonetheless, network execs paired them on the Pyramid series. Says Jozie Emmerich, an ABC veep: "We feel like matchmakers. "

For two weeks before their debut as a game show team, Jerry subjected Brynn to nightly rehearsals of word games. "He's Mr. Competitive, " she explains. "Eventually it became like therapy. Our relationship started through word association. " Helped along by what Jerry calls "one of those cosmic little accidents " -- they had both just broken off previous attachments -- they soon began dating. Last year she finally accepted one of Jerry's proposals. "We kept our engagement secret awhile, " he says. "We didn't want to make it a big studio romance till we were sure. "

Their 60-guest wedding at Manhattan's Windows on the World restaurant hardly rivaled Luke and Laura's five-alarm General Hospital nuptials, but it did raise a life-imitating-soap kind of issue: Could the cool brunette daughter of a Dallas executive find true happiness back East as the wife of the frenetic son of Italian immigrants?

Brynn's father is Paul Thayer, an Oklahoma oilman's son who forsook the family business to become a pilot for TWA and a test flier for Chance Vought Corp., a Texas maker of military planes. In 1970 he was named chairman and chief executive of Vought's parent company, the LTV Corp., with sales last year of $7.5 billion. An only child whose mother once worked as a stewardess, Brynn happily admits to growing up "a spoiled brat " in North Dallas, where she had her own horse before she was 14. As a 21-year-old education major at the University of Arkansas, she fell into a brief marriage to a fellow student. After her divorce and two years as a fifth-grade teacher in Dallas, she decided to seek a new life in New York. She took acting lessons, modeled for catalogs, and quickly hit it big in commercials as a wholesome-housewife type pushing products including Maxwell House coffee, Q-Tips and Blue Bonnet margarine.

Then, in 1978, Brynn auditioned for the role of Jenny. With encouragement from One Life director Peter Miner, who taught one of her acting classes, she won the part. Initially she was so stiff on camera that her first letter from a viewer urged her to "Please go back to the convent. " "I wasn't making the character my own, " Brynn explains. "I was more concerned about learning my lines and getting to work on time. " But with help from friends like co-star Judith Light, she improved quickly. Says Light, who shares a dressing room with Brynn, "She was scared, and nobody really knew that till later. Though Brynn didn't have experience, her instincts were all there. She has a tendency to be extremely modest about her abilities. "

Gerald Anthony is the eldest of three children of parents who came to Pittsburgh from a hill town in central Italy's Abruzzi region just after World War II. His father works in a steel mill, his mother in a department store. After high school and lemming-like participation in what he calls the "late-'60s hippie exodus " to the West Coast, he went to Monterey Peninsula Junior College before entering the University of California at Santa Cruz. There he discovered the theater. He formed his own company, then went on to further study at the University of Washington and Temple. Hitting New York in 1976, Jerry took an off-Broadway directing job that brought neither fame nor fortune. To pay the rent he accepted what was meant to be an eight-day stint playing Marco Dane, the heel. These days he describes One Life as TV's best-written soap and believes he has helped improve it. Marco, he maintains, "was the first really antiheroic character. He did rotten things but wasn't totally despicable because you understood him. He has matured. "

Now living in New York's suburban Rockland County in the $175,000 two-bedroom home they bought earlier this year, Brynn and Jerry have mounted their marriage certificate over the toilet -- a sign, perhaps, of their refusal to get hung up on protocol. "The No. 1 things people fight about -- money, chores and who does the dishes -- never enter into our lives, " Jerry insists. Their combined incomes of more than $200,000 allow them to choose between a Porsche and an Audi for their 6:30 a.m. sprint into Manhattan, where they rehearse and tape for 12 hours or more. At home, Brynn is pleased to deal with repairs, yard work and decorating, while Jerry cooks most of the meals. So far, at least, they've been able to keep domestic tension below soap opera levels. "The other day the script said I had to scream at Jerry, and I found myself wanting to do the same in real life, " Brynn admits. "But usually we try to settle problems before the day begins. As long as we communicate every day, we're okay. "

Jerry does some play doctoring on the side but sees writing and acting principally as routes to his goal of directing. While he aims eventually to cut back on his One Life work to focus on various TV, film and stage projects, Brynn remains serene in the soap. "I'm like everybody, " she says. "I would like to do a movie someday, but for now I just really want to enjoy what I have. After all those housewife commercials, I've finally become one. "

How long were these two married? What were the circumstances of Anthony's death?

Yes that is Burleigh. In one way,you have to give credit to TD for constantly recasting Mike and keeping him on the canvas,rather than sending him to soap limbo.

From Newsday 1997 Written by Connie (aka Marlena) Passalacqua

With the quality of many classic soaps (CBS' "As the World Turns, " "Guiding Light, " ABC's "One Life to Live ") eroding last year because of exceptionally poor writing, angry longtime soap fans want to know when they are getting "their " shows back.

First to answer is Maxine Levinson, executive producer of "One Life to Live " since mid-October. Levinson, a highly respected executive at ABC Daytime for 17 years, left her position as the senior vice president of daytime programing to take over the helm of "OLTL. "

"Will the show come back? I'd say yes; I certainly wouldn't be here if I was saying no. Keep your eyes on your TV set, " says Levinson. Since last March, when Emmy-winning head writer Michael Malone left, "OLTL's " traditional emotionally rich drama has degenerated into a series of superficial, gimmicky plots, drama containing little emotional connection or character subtext.

But last month, Levinson obtained the services of head writer Claire Labine, most recently the double Emmy Award-winning head writer at "General Hospital. " Labine, who will start next month, specializes in intelligent, character-driven drama, the kind that routinely wins Daytime Emmys for performers and shows. As a network executive, Levinson worked with Labine when she was at "GH. " (Labine also co-created and co-wrote the now-canceled ABC soap "Ryan's Hope. ")

"Knowing that Claire and her son co-head writer Matt are at the helm of this writing team means that I have some of best writers in the business, " says Levinson. "From there everything falls into place. What I believe, the big changes here will be richer, deeper stories, stories that make you laugh, stories that make you cry, stories that make you want to be in Llanview.'

Which is an answer not specific enough to satisfy viewers who have to wait until at least March, when Labine's stories start airing. Levinson promises "our first big story' will be for the show's two leading characters, Viki Buchanan (Erica Slezak) and Dorian Lord (Robin Strasser). Both actresses had been underutilized last year.

Levinson says there's also a major story planned for the recently underutilized Bo and Nora Buchanan (Bob Woods and Hillary B. Smith). The once-promising romantic heartthrob character of Patrick Thornhart (Thorsten Kaye) should also receive a boost from Labine's writing. "I have a woman on staff who wrote Ryan's Hope,' " Levinson says. "If she can't write to the soul of an Irish poet, then who can? " She also says recently returned audience favorite Roger Howarth (snide antihero Todd Manning) has signed a new contract. It extends into the fall.

But how could the show have killed off one of its most popular villains last year (Carlo, played by Thom Christopher)? How could a major network let an entire soap be so abysmally written for a full year? Levinson won't answer questions about "OLTL's " problems prior to her becoming executive producer. "What happened yesterday is over. I can't do anything about what has already happened. Let's look forward to see what we can do. "

SOD Synopsis Oct 77

The current Mrs. David Thornton is hell-bent on keeping her husband – her husband. David, now convinced that Dotty is his child, has offered to take Dotty off Edna’s hands, but Edna says no deal. If David wants his daughter, he’ll have to take his wife, too!

Christina, meanwhile, attempts a stoic countenance in the face of all this madness. Jeff is concerned for his friend, and tells David to leave Christina alone! David resents Jeff’s attempted intervention in the matter, and suggests that perhaps Jeff really ought to butt out!

Edna, determined not to let a rich fish swim away without her, has decided to stay in Pine Valley…for the duration if necessary. She has been hired as a manicurist. Initially the owner of the shop was hesitant in hiring her. However, when Edna said she was the wife of the Dr. David Thornton, and as such would surely bring in the “proper” clientele, suddenly a manicurist had been hired.

Caroline has decided she should not get so huffy when Nancy is around…after all Frank and Nancy are getting a divorce…after all Frank loves Caroline…So why did Frank make love to Nancy? Wouldn’t it be something if Nancy were pregnant?!

Claudette Montgomery is back in town…and making goo-goo eyes at Nick Davis. Erica is seething with jealousy; especially when Nick says he may hire Claudette to replace Erica at The Chateau!

Benny refused to help Phoebe any more in her scheme to prove that Charles and Mona are having an adulterous affair. When Benny tried to retrieve some incriminating pictures he took of the innocent couple, Phoebe flew into a rage and fired him! After drinking himself into a drunken stupor and angry as hell because Charles has refused to withdraw the divorce action; Phoebe vows to destroy Charles’ career. Now without a chauffer, Phoebe must drive herself over to the hospital administrator’s home in order to slander her husband. One of the problems with that, is the fact that Phoebe no longer has a license to drive. Another problem is that Phoebe was picked up on a drunken driving charge. It’s big news in Pine Valley when one of its leading citizens is arrested. The camera crews congregate and on local television, for all to see, Phoebe drunkenly accuses her husband of being the cause of her woes.

Mona and Charles have the misfortune of seeing Phoebe in all her televised splendor and Mona plans a drastic step. She insists that she loves Charles too much to be the cause of his career ending. Charles is willing to dump Phoebe at all costs but Mona refuses to be a part of Charles’ downfall. She tells Charles that if he pursues the divorce she will leave town. Charles realizes that he cannot spend his life without Mona and reluctantly agrees to her wishes.

Ruth and Joe are anxious to find Tad’s parents. The want to adopt him, but will need to have his parents’ consent. Happily, Nancy Grant thinks she has found a viable lead.

Brooke and Dan seem to be having a bit of a problem. Dan, in school on a scholarship, must maintain a certain average. Brooke, in school for the hell of it, needs only to maintain a passing grade – if that. So…when Brooke wants to go out…Brooke wants to go out. The devil with Dan’s responsibilities, and the devil with Dan, too, for that matter if he is not at her beck and call.

When Brooke can’t have Danny boy, she takes Benny baby. Or rather he takes her…in the poolhouse.

As fate would have it, one evening while Benny and Brooke were riding in the park, Benny’s motorbike broke down. It just so happened that Devon and her grandfather were in that same park and Devon overheard a conversation Brooke and Benny were having about their physical entanglements. Brooke was furious when she finally realized that Devon had heard every word. Brooke viciously tells Devon that Danny is hers – lock, stock, and barrel. Devon isn’t sure what to do. On one hand, she feels Dan should know that his true blue Brooke isn’t very true and blue; while on the other hand, Devon is hesitant to say anything to Dan, knowing how very much he loves Brooke.

Claudette, making a declaration of contrition for all her past sins, suggests to Paul that they begin a friendship…since they are, for all intents and purposes, both all alone. Paul vetoes the suggestion. They both talk more of Pine Valley and its residents and Claudette is shocked to learn that Kitty Tyler has recently passed away. Having struck out with Paul, Claudette decides to pay Linc a visit, pretending not to know of Kitty’s passing. Linc politely asks Claudette to join him for dinner and she excitedly agrees.

Well! Who would have thought it! Phoebe Tyler in jail!? When the judge sentenced her to seven days in jail she was beyond outrage. Fortunately for Phoebe, she had earlier rehired Benny and he was on hand to catch her as she fainted dead away!!

The only thing that makes Phoebe’s predicament bearable to her is the belief that her husband Charles will be, momentarily, returning home. It comes as quite a shock to her when Charles says that he will not return “home.”

David Thornton has decided that he will live with Edna and from all outward appearances they will be husband and wife. But he makes it clear that there will be no hanky panky. After all, he loves Christina and when everything is straightened out, he will marry Christina.

Despite Dr. Clader’s tests proving that Donna is not pregnant, she insists she is, and has gone around telling everyone who will listen, that she is definitely expecting!

Brooke is livid. Dan had promised to take her to a football game and then had to renege. He received a “D” on a test and unless he can bring up his mark, his scholarship will be jeopardized. After speaking to his instructor, Dan has an opportunity to do a make-good paper, which he will gladly do. The only problem is that it will be done at the expense of his weekend and his date. Brooke, self-centered as usual, has no care for Dan’s schooling only for her wild weekend. They argue but Dan sticks to his guns.

Later, Dan pays Brooke a visit and offers her a compromise. Even though they can’t attend the game together, they could study together, after which she could help him type his paper and have dinner. Brooke is enraged. STUDY!? TYPE!? DINNER? Bah-humbug!

Meanwhile, Devon, who is slowly but surely recovering from a blistering fight with Brooke over Dan, has pleaded with Ellen to take her to New York with her for the weekend. Ellen agrees, even though she and Mark had planned to make the New York jaunt. When Devon stops by Dan’s house later and realizes that he is in desperate straits, she offers to type his paper. Lifesaver! Dan is relieved and Devon is ecstatic. Never in the history of typing has one young lady been so pleased to type a paper for a certain very, very special gentleman! Ellen and Mark are also pleased…now they will be able to make that New York trip after all.

The Grant’s divorce is about to happen, even though Frank insists that Carl Blair simply is not the man for his soon-to-be ex-wife Nancy. Caroline can’t understand what Frank’s objections are.

Now that Nick has hired Claudette as Erica’s replacement at The Chateau, Erica is extremely upset. She insists that she will not let Nick get away with hiring “that ex-con.”

Ruth as insisted that Joe go to see the man they suspect is Tad’s father. This Joe reluctantly does, but warning Ruth not to get her hopes up.

Erica has conned Phil into checking into Claudette’s record to see if she is still on parole. Armed with this information, Erica hopes to cause Claudette real problems…real enough to keep her away from Nick.

Brooke had decided that she wasn’t going to go away on her planned football weekend, and she wasn’t going to sit around and wait for Dan, either. So…she decided to call Tom Cudahy and ask him to attend a party with her. Tom agreed, much to Erica’s dismay.

Meanwhile, Devon is happily typing away for Dan and they finish his paper in record time. This enables them (at the prodding of Devon’s grandfather) to attend a dance; the very same dance that Brooke and Tom are attending! Fireworks fly when Brooke sees Devon and Dan together. Even though Dan tries to assure Brooke that his and Devon’s friendship is only friendship, Brooke will have none of it. Dan is bewildered.

Edna Thornton continues to have her way where her hubby is concerned. Every time David makes plans to be with Christina and Edna gets wind of it, she threatens to run off with Dottie and David dutifully, reluctantly cancels his plans. Christina insists that she will stand by until David is able to free himself of his albatross.

While Ellen and Mark are enjoying their anonymity in New York at a swank New York restaurant…Mark’s mother pops up and makes no bones about her distaste for her son being in the company of an older woman. When Mark announces to his mother that he and Ellen are having an affair, Ellen is consumed with guilt and shame. She rushes from the table vowing that their love can never be.

Joe has arrived in Texarkana and met with Tad’s father to discuss the adoption. Ray Gardner is not the nicest man in the world, but does agree to agree…for a price…ten thousand dollars in cash…Joe is stunned. Ten thousand dollars?

Chuck and Donna are headed for real trouble. As much as Chuck has tried to convince Donna she is not pregnant and that it really doesn’t matter, Donna is determined to believe that she is pregnant and that is really does matter! Donna has told Tara, Frank Grant and now Charles and Mona that she is pregnant! Chuck isn’t sure what to do, but he is beginning to realize that his wife has a very real problem. Chuck only hopes that Donna will soon become pregnant. When will happen when they find out that Donna is unable to conceive?

Tad has sensed that Joe has gone off in search of the means to make the adoption a reality. When Joe returns, he is surprised to see Ruth and Tad waiting for him at the airport. Joe feels bad about telling Tad that his mother died many years before. Joe is even more upset later that evening when he has to tell Ruth about Ray’s demands. Ruth is appalled that the man would literally offer to sell his son…but Ruth is even more angered to learn that Joe backed off when Gardner mentioned money…Will Ruth and Joe eventually agree to pay the ten thousand dollars?

From Nov 71 Daytime TV

History:

Announced as Between Heaven and Hell, this serial’s title was changed when it premiered on ABC Network July 15, 1968. Agnes Nixon created One Life to Live, after a long career that included her co-creating As the World Turns, writing Guiding Light for nine years and Search for Tomorrow and Another World for periods of time. Don Wallace, executive producer of Edge of Night and producer of From These Roots as well as writer of Life Can Be Beautiful and other serials, was announced as executive producer of One Life to Live, and Doris Quinlan and Walter Gorman its co-producers. The initial story was listed as “unique and contemporary serial drama,” taking place in Philadelphia and its Main Line suburbs, and “drama that could happen everywhere today” … “because, wherever one looks, there is a pluralistic society, with the clashes and conflicts, the fears and furies, the angers and loves, the hates and lusts which motivates man and make his life so terrifying and fascinating.” Interestingly enough, Miss Nixon lives in a huge house in Bryn Mawr, Pa., with her businessman husband. The premiere cast consisted of Gillian Spencer, as Victoria Lord; Trish Van Devere, as Meredith Lord; Paul Tulley, as Larry Wolek; Doris Belack, as Anna Wolek; Antony Ponzini, as Vince Wolek; Lee Patterson, as Joe Riley; Thurman Scott, as Dr. Price Trainor; and Jack Crowder, as Lt. Ted Neal. Only Doris Belack and Antony Ponzini remain.

Cast:

DORIS BELACK ----------------------------- Anna Craig

LYNN BENISH --------------------- Meredith Lord Wolek

HERB DAVIS ------------------------------ Bert Skelly

ERNEST GRAVES --------------------------- Victor Lord

ELLEN HOLLY ---------------------------- Carla Benari

JANE BRANDON ---------------------------- Cathy Craig

ALLAN MILLER ---------------------------- Dave Siegel

NAT POLEN --------------------------- Dr. James Craig

ANTONY PONZINI -------------------------- Vince Wolek

PATRICIA ROE -------------------------- Eileen Siegel

ERIKA SLEZAK -------------------- Victoria Lord Riley

MICHAEL STORM --------------------------- Larry Wolek

LEE WARRICK ---------------------------- Julie Siegel

DAVID SNELL ----------------------------- Jack Lawson

FRANCESCA JAMES --------------- Marcie Wade MacKenzie

BERNARD GRANT -------------------------- Steven Burke

TOM LEE JONES ----------------------- Dr. Mark Toland

Cerdits:

Producer: Doris Quinlan; Associate Producer: Charlotte Weil; Directors: Neil Smith, David Presman; Writers: Ted Dazan, Gordon Russel; Casting Director: Joan D’Incecco.

Didn't James Mitchell insist that Palmer be written that way?

My memory is fuzzy,so I'm not sure if this was as a response to scripts already written that had Palmer being more judgemental ,or Mitchell got in first before any writing had been done. I do remember him being quoted as saying it was one of the few times he insisted upon input to Palmer's actions.

From Afternoon TV 1969

On July 15, One Life to Live celebrated its first anniversary. This show, in the course of one year, has become one of the most popular soaps on afternoon television.

Encouraged by Bill Kimbrough, the D.A. (Justin McDonough) to do volunteer work, Meredith Lord (Lynn Benish) took a job in an orphanage and met Wendy (Jan Chasmar), an orphan girl who has had a serious operation.

Jan is one child who will never have the problem of shyness. She's already adjusted well to TV work.

Hospital aide and everybody's friend is Sadie Gray (Lillian Hayman). She has come to see Larry Wolek, (Mike Storm), who is in the hospital after an accident. Sadie tells Larry about the day that Vince and Viki ran away.

One lovely day in the park for Sadie Gray, Wendy and Meredith Lord. When Meredith was very ill, she broke up with Larry Wolek because she did not want to be a burden to him. Now she is well, but Larry has been forced into marrying Karen Martin (Niki Flacks) because she is pregnant.

Vince Wolek (Antony Ponzini) is in love with Niki – the split personality of Victoria Lord (Gillian Spencer). The other part of Victoria's personality, Viki, is in love with Joe Riley (Lee Patterson).

Viki had agreed to marry Joe Riley, but in the middle of the wedding ceremony the personality of Niki came out. Vince wants to marry Niki. Though she likes having fun, Niki is not crazy about the idea of getting married.

SOD Synopses Oct 77

The current Mrs. David Thornton is hell-bent on keeping her husband – her husband. David, now convinced that Dotty is his child, has offered to take Dotty off Edna’s hands, but Edna says no deal. If David wants his daughter, he’ll have to take his wife, too!

Christina, meanwhile, attempts a stoic countenance in the face of all this madness. Jeff is concerned for his friend, and tells David to leave Christina alone! David resents Jeff’s attempted intervention in the matter, and suggests that perhaps Jeff really ought to butt out!

Edna, determined not to let a rich fish swim away without her, has decided to stay in Pine Valley…for the duration if necessary. She has been hired as a manicurist. Initially the owner of the shop was hesitant in hiring her. However, when Edna said she was the wife of the Dr. David Thornton, and as such would surely bring in the “proper” clientele, suddenly a manicurist had been hired.

Caroline has decided she should not get so huffy when Nancy is around…after all Frank and Nancy are getting a divorce…after all Frank loves Caroline…So why did Frank make love to Nancy? Wouldn’t it be something if Nancy were pregnant?!

Claudette Montgomery is back in town…and making goo-goo eyes at Nick Davis. Erica is seething with jealousy; especially when Nick says he may hire Claudette to replace Erica at The Chateau!

Benny refused to help Phoebe any more in her scheme to prove that Charles and Mona are having an adulterous affair. When Benny tried to retrieve some incriminating pictures he took of the innocent couple, Phoebe flew into a rage and fired him! After drinking himself into a drunken stupor and angry as hell because Charles has refused to withdraw the divorce action; Phoebe vows to destroy Charles’ career. Now without a chauffer, Phoebe must drive herself over to the hospital administrator’s home in order to slander her husband. One of the problems with that, is the fact that Phoebe no longer has a license to drive. Another problem is that Phoebe was picked up on a drunken driving charge. It’s big news in Pine Valley when one of its leading citizens is arrested. The camera crews congregate and on local television, for all to see, Phoebe drunkenly accuses her husband of being the cause of her woes.

Mona and Charles have the misfortune of seeing Phoebe in all her televised splendor and Mona plans a drastic step. She insists that she loves Charles too much to be the cause of his career ending. Charles is willing to dump Phoebe at all costs but Mona refuses to be a part of Charles’ downfall. She tells Charles that if he pursues the divorce she will leave town. Charles realizes that he cannot spend his life without Mona and reluctantly agrees to her wishes.

Ruth and Joe are anxious to find Tad’s parents. The want to adopt him, but will need to have his parents’ consent. Happily, Nancy Grant thinks she has found a viable lead.

Brooke and Dan seem to be having a bit of a problem. Dan, in school on a scholarship, must maintain a certain average. Brooke, in school for the hell of it, needs only to maintain a passing grade – if that. So…when Brooke wants to go out…Brooke wants to go out. The devil with Dan’s responsibilities, and the devil with Dan, too, for that matter if he is not at her beck and call.

When Brooke can’t have Danny boy, she takes Benny baby. Or rather he takes her…in the poolhouse.

As fate would have it, one evening while Benny and Brooke were riding in the park, Benny’s motorbike broke down. It just so happened that Devon and her grandfather were in that same park and Devon overheard a conversation Brooke and Benny were having about their physical entanglements. Brooke was furious when she finally realized that Devon had heard every word. Brooke viciously tells Devon that Danny is hers – lock, stock, and barrel. Devon isn’t sure what to do. On one hand, she feels Dan should know that his true blue Brooke isn’t very true and blue; while on the other hand, Devon is hesitant to say anything to Dan, knowing how very much he loves Brooke.

Claudette, making a declaration of contrition for all her past sins, suggests to Paul that they begin a friendship…since they are, for all intents and purposes, both all alone. Paul vetoes the suggestion. They both talk more of Pine Valley and its residents and Claudette is shocked to learn that Kitty Tyler has recently passed away. Having struck out with Paul, Claudette decides to pay Linc a visit, pretending not to know of Kitty’s passing. Linc politely asks Claudette to join him for dinner and she excitedly agrees.

Well! Who would have thought it! Phoebe Tyler in jail!? When the judge sentenced her to seven days in jail she was beyond outrage. Fortunately for Phoebe, she had earlier rehired Benny and he was on hand to catch her as she fainted dead away!!

The only thing that makes Phoebe’s predicament bearable to her is the belief that her husband Charles will be, momentarily, returning home. It comes as quite a shock to her when Charles says that he will not return “home.”

David Thornton has decided that he will live with Edna and from all outward appearances they will be husband and wife. But he makes it clear that there will be no hanky panky. After all, he loves Christina and when everything is straightened out, he will marry Christina.

Despite Dr. Clader’s tests proving that Donna is not pregnant, she insists she is, and has gone around telling everyone who will listen, that she is definitely expecting!

Brooke is livid. Dan had promised to take her to a football game and then had to renege. He received a “D” on a test and unless he can bring up his mark, his scholarship will be jeopardized. After speaking to his instructor, Dan has an opportunity to do a make-good paper, which he will gladly do. The only problem is that it will be done at the expense of his weekend and his date. Brooke, self-centered as usual, has no care for Dan’s schooling only for her wild weekend. They argue but Dan sticks to his guns.

Later, Dan pays Brooke a visit and offers her a compromise. Even though they can’t attend the game together, they could study together, after which she could help him type his paper and have dinner. Brooke is enraged. STUDY!? TYPE!? DINNER? Bah-humbug!

Meanwhile, Devon, who is slowly but surely recovering from a blistering fight with Brooke over Dan, has pleaded with Ellen to take her to New York with her for the weekend. Ellen agrees, even though she and Mark had planned to make the New York jaunt. When Devon stops by Dan’s house later and realizes that he is in desperate straits, she offers to type his paper. Lifesaver! Dan is relieved and Devon is ecstatic. Never in the history of typing has one young lady been so pleased to type a paper for a certain very, very special gentleman! Ellen and Mark are also pleased…now they will be able to make that New York trip after all.

The Grant’s divorce is about to happen, even though Frank insists that Carl Blair simply is not the man for his soon-to-be ex-wife Nancy. Caroline can’t understand what Frank’s objections are.

Now that Nick has hired Claudette as Erica’s replacement at The Chateau, Erica is extremely upset. She insists that she will not let Nick get away with hiring “that ex-con.”

Ruth as insisted that Joe go to see the man they suspect is Tad’s father. This Joe reluctantly does, but warning Ruth not to get her hopes up.

Erica has conned Phil into checking into Claudette’s record to see if she is still on parole. Armed with this information, Erica hopes to cause Claudette real problems…real enough to keep her away from Nick.

Brooke had decided that she wasn’t going to go away on her planned football weekend, and she wasn’t going to sit around and wait for Dan, either. So…she decided to call Tom Cudahy and ask him to attend a party with her. Tom agreed, much to Erica’s dismay.

Meanwhile, Devon is happily typing away for Dan and they finish his paper in record time. This enables them (at the prodding of Devon’s grandfather) to attend a dance; the very same dance that Brooke and Tom are attending! Fireworks fly when Brooke sees Devon and Dan together. Even though Dan tries to assure Brooke that his and Devon’s friendship is only friendship, Brooke will have none of it. Dan is bewildered.

Edna Thornton continues to have her way where her hubby is concerned. Every time David makes plans to be with Christina and Edna gets wind of it, she threatens to run off with Dottie and David dutifully, reluctantly cancels his plans. Christina insists that she will stand by until David is able to free himself of his albatross.

While Ellen and Mark are enjoying their anonymity in New York at a swank New York restaurant…Mark’s mother pops up and makes no bones about her distaste for her son being in the company of an older woman. When Mark announces to his mother that he and Ellen are having an affair, Ellen is consumed with guilt and shame. She rushes from the table vowing that their love can never be.

Joe has arrived in Texarkana and met with Tad’s father to discuss the adoption. Ray Gardner is not the nicest man in the world, but does agree to agree…for a price…ten thousand dollars in cash…Joe is stunned. Ten thousand dollars?

Chuck and Donna are headed for real trouble. As much as Chuck has tried to convince Donna she is not pregnant and that it really doesn’t matter, Donna is determined to believe that she is pregnant and that is really does matter! Donna has told Tara, Frank Grant and now Charles and Mona that she is pregnant! Chuck isn’t sure what to do, but he is beginning to realize that his wife has a very real problem. Chuck only hopes that Donna will soon become pregnant. When will happen when they find out that Donna is unable to conceive?

Tad has sensed that Joe has gone off in search of the means to make the adoption a reality. When Joe returns, he is surprised to see Ruth and Tad waiting for him at the airport. Joe feels bad about telling Tad that his mother died many years before. Joe is even more upset later that evening when he has to tell Ruth about Ray’s demands. Ruth is appalled that the man would literally offer to sell his son…but Ruth is even more angered to learn that Joe backed off when Gardner mentioned money…Will Ruth and Joe eventually agree to pay the ten thousand dollars?

April 76 SOD synopsis

Faith has had a complete mental breakdown. She left Ryan's, went to her house looking for her father and, in her bedroom, discovered Kenneth awaiting her. He is threatening to punish her when Bob and another policeman arrive. Though they promise not to hurt Kenneth, he doesn't believe them; fears they'll take him to the same kind of awful place his mother was locked away in, and to avoid this, tries to escape via the window. He loses his footing and falls to the pavement below. When Faith learns Kenneth is not dead, she wonders why her father is dead from having fallen. Faith is returned to Mary's room at the Ryan's, but is later discovered crouching in the closet, sobbing irrationally. She's had to be hospitalized.

Frank tells Jill how he admires her strength. Delia tells Jill it's all right to talk to Frank, but that's all. Jill blows up at her for being a selfish, spoiled rotten wife.

Jill later explains to Seneca that a good part of her anger with Delia is because Delia is beautiful and does absolutely nothing while she, Jill, is saddled with responsibilities and often works ten hours a day.

Seneca has returned Nell's car to Bucky and commented that Bucky was one of the best things Nell left him.

Reenie thinks Bucky is pretty great, too, and assures Nick she'll have her way with him. Reenie will leave the hospital soon to stay with Nick until she locates a place of her own. Her job is waiting at Channel R.

Mary has made a most successful debut as an on-camera newscaster at Channel R and has gone to Ryan's to celebrate.

Johnny had earlier apologized to Mary and insisted she celebrate her new career with her family. She accepted with the stipulation that Jack be included.

By the time Sam and Mary arrive, Johnny and Jack are baiting each other. Mary takes them to the kitchen to cool off, but fists fly and Jack knocks Johnny down.

Delia is not at Ryan's. At Roger's request, Delia has lied about being with her girl friend in order to get out of the house.

Life in Llanview circa April 76

Llanview's newest nightspot, Tony's Place, is set to open in a few weeks. The club's owner, and namesake, is radiating with happiness and enthusiasm. He can't believe it, but the moment has finally arrived. There's only one thing missing, the woman who gave him the confidence and guts to continue with the project won't be there to share the moment with him. Cathy Craig will not go back to Tony unless he changes the terms of their relationship; Tony, seeking permanence in his wife, will not back down fro his marriage or nothing stand. It's sad because they still feel deep love for each other and it's only the arch-villain pride which keeps them apart.

Tony's club is not the only thing he has born. He has also fathered a child and it's Pat's deep, dark secret that Tony is Brian's real daddy -- and it's a secret that's getting harder and harder to keep. She sees the developing friendship between Brian and Tony and wonders how much longer it will be before Tony starts noticing the resemblance between him and Brian. Pat knows she has to tell Tony but she has yet to find the strength to do so.

It's a rather ordinary afternoon in the life of Llanview's Lanasheen Lady, Wanda Wolek. She has brought her little black bag over to Cathy's house to show the young woman the latest cosmetic innovations from the Lanasheen Corporation. The time is being passed rather pleasantly until... like a clap of thunder the air vibrates with a bellowing: "What's going on here?" Wanda knows -- all too well -- who this bellow belongs to and she's not at all surprised to see Vinny standing in the corner of the room. She knows how Vinny feels about women working -- especially his woman -- and she's been living in constant fear about her "little career" being discovered; but now that it's out in the open she feels nothing but relief. Wanda knows the time has come to fight for what she wants.

It's going to be a loud "Kick-in-the-gut-aim-for-the-jugular" sort of fight but Wanda hopes to win it. She knows she's not the sort of woman who can just dawdle around the home. In fact, she now has the chance to trade in her Lanasheen bag for a more prominent position as an assistant manager at Tony's restaurant. Tony's still holding the job open for her saying she's the only one who can handle it.

Pine Valley Happenings mid 76

Joe did indeed find Ruth's letter. He has confronted her with it and the upshot is that she will leave his home. She tells him again that she was never unfaithful to him, but that she does need time to be alone.

Frank visits Nancy in Chicago and gives her the news. He has an interview the next day but if it doesn't pan out, he is prepared to stay in Pine Valley until the right thing comes along. She may be without a husband for a good deal longer than initially anticipated!

Thanks again,your contributions are invaluable.

Yes it was Greta who had the rabbit bite.

Regarding Dr Wilson,one synopsis mentions Stacey coming to Wilson's office and instead encountering Dr McIntyre,so it seems that one replaced the other. McIntyre also seemed strictly a supporting character,which seems surprising in that Dino Nazzarino played the role and he had been a part of SFT for many years in a front burner capacity.

Penny was on in the late 60's before being sent to live with her dad,Dave. She returned played by Julia Duffy and I think she had a volatile relationship with her mom.At one point she was studying to be a doctor and was caught cheating.She always wanted Nick and Althea back together,

I'm sure saynotyoursoap will be able to supply more info.

He did!

I have just re-read (skimmed) the whole DRs thread and realized that we go over some of the same topics because we've forgotten by Pg 16 what was established on Pg 2!!

Anyway,one thing I would like to ask is how long Nick and Althea were married and what caused their break-up? Summaries about this are always general eg their difference in temperament,but does anyone know exactly what events caused them to divorce?