Paul Raven

Yes Carl.i recall that Janice or Jaime said that they washed their hair in plastic tubs and things were pretty primitive. it's surprising looking back,that those conditions were tolerated by anyone.Back then,i know on Days at least,men supplied their own wardrobe and got dry cleaning allowance.

Quite a relaxed day compared to the present. However,as the show was 'live tape' that afternoon performance had to be spot on. Also,the scenes were longer so there was much more dialogue to remember and deliver.I think the tape equipment at the time was not sophisticated enought to allow for the show to be taped out of sequence over a few hours.

Am I correct?

That's the late Keith Charles as Nick Kane. Charles is up there as the actor with the most soap roles.

Isn't that the infamous Christina Crawford as Joan Borman Kane?

Great articles! Particularly interested in the set design article. Marlena's penthouse was one of the few sets in any soap that had a decent staircase and upper level. Some of those 'mansions' on soaps that have those tiny,spindly looking staircases that barely rise above ground level always bug me.

Apparently Higgs had been depressed for some time and had spoken of suicide.Notes were found in the apartment referring to his intentions dated a year previously. He was 47 years old.

This is always so difficult for friends and co workers.Back in 77 there was probably less awareness than these days,but even now,there isn't a lot others can do.

Please keep posting.

I haven't posted much lately as I have other stuff (renovations,setting up a new business etc)going on,but I check SON daily.

Just read about actor Richard Higgs who played Andrew Marriott.He committed suicide in late 1977.When he didn't show up at work,Ron Tomme went to his apartment and discovered the body.

Higgs also played Dan allison on The Doctors.

Ron Harper took over as Andrew.

Thanks for the correction.I wonder why some particular info on soaps is wrong,when other stuff is accurate.

Bev scored a film role in Bronco Billy because Sondra Locke (Clint Eastwood's then partner )was a fan. I have never seen that movie as it holds zilch interest for me,but it would be interesting to see BM in another role.

Isn't that Kathy Glass (MJ)?

Kate/Polly was on in 1962.

Billy and Natalie arrived in 80. Natalie was originally Laurie Klatscher but Jane Badler took over in 81.

James Douglas,previously Grant on ATWT,Eliot on AW and Steven on PP played Philip. He replaced an actor named Alvin Epstein and I can only assume that Mr Epstein was a less attractive actor than Douglas.

I think Billy was pretty much a bad guy from when Alec Baldwin assumed the role. Billy came back with Natalie to get their hands on Greta's inheritance from her Aunt Theodora.

A summary of SOD synopsis July 20th 1982 issue

Nola calls off her wedding to Billy because he tried to sell her shares in The Medicine Man.Billy pleads, but Nola says from now on Phillip will manage her finances.

Katy asks Billy to withdraw $50,000 and meet him in half an hour.Phillip authorizes the withdrawal and Billy says he misunderstood Nola's desire to sell the stock. Phillip OK's time off.

Billy hands over the money and spots LeeAnn with Katy in the limo but she speeds off before he can stop her.

Greta is hysterical that LeeAnn is missing and Theo is sure Katy has her,but Greta isn't convinced by Billy's story that Katy has taken their daughter.

Lee Ann's disappearance is publicized and Theo records a plea.He and Mike go through Katy's things for a clue.

Mona overhears Althea tell Jeff that as she can't give him a child,it's over.She tells Phillip and he is more determined than ever that his son won't marry a woman who cannot carry on the family name.

Jeff is insistent that they should be together,but Althea will not be swayed.

At Philip's party,Carolee is annoyed by Adrienne flirting with Steve.Adrienne says she admires career women like Carolee and Althea, but personally if she had a child she would devote herself to being a mother.Jeff says family isn't that important to him.

The next day Adrienne is at Hope for tests before surgery. She seeks assurances from Mike and Jeff but they can only say that her chances are good.

Katy is in Newport with her friend from hospital.Hermoine,a sculptress who buries herself in work.Katy claims LeeAnn is a friend's child and that they are heading for Europe.

Hermoine ignores radio pleas about LeeAnn.Katy takes Lee Ann out dressed as aboy.A policeman stops them,but they manage to avoid detection. Katy tells Lee Ann they're playing a game and that Greta is too busy to take care of her right now.

Katy realizes she needs Greta's passport to get LeeAnn out of the country.,so she tells Hermoine she has to return to Madison on business.Mike contacts Hermoine who says she hasn't heard from Katy.

Mike.Theo and Greta are frustrated by their inability to track down Katy.At least without the passport,Katy can't take LeeAnn out of the country.

Katy turns off the radio when she hears Theo's pleas.Disguised as a man she slips into Greta's house to get the passport but is disturbed by Mike who has come by to get recent photos of LeeAnn.Katy takes off but her cap falls off.Theo recognizes the label from a Newport store and concludes she's with Hermoine.He asks Mike not to tell the police as it might cause Katy to panic.

Theo travels to Newport and learns the cap was purchased by a woman with a little boy.Theo goes to see Hermoine and remembers her from 5 years ago when she was hospitalized with Katy. Hermoine again states she hasn't seen Katy.Theo explains the situation. and says Katy needs help.

Katy learns Theo is in town and Mike called and realizes they're closing in. She changes photos on the passport and makes arrangements to head for Boston airport.

Theo returns and threatens Hermoine,who convinces Katy to talk to her brother. Katy denies having LeeAnn.

Theo arrives with police and a search warrant and Katy and LeeAnn hide out in an old gardener's cottage on the estate.

Giving in to LeeAnn's pleas to talk to Greta,Katy makes sure she calls when Greta would be at work. Maggie takes the call,but Katy hangs up.Matt calls the policeLater,.Katy leaves Lee Ann alone in the cottage while she searches for a public phone to make other arrangements to get to the airport.

Mike questions Billy as to where he went on his break but Billy is emphatic it had nothing to so with LeeAnn.Mike isn't convinced and tells Philip that he thinks Billy is conspiring with Katy.

As Mike prepares for Adrienne's operation.Theo calls from Newport asking for help.Mike cannot leave town at this time.

Philip tells Althea he's aware she can't have children and she tells him Jeff knows this also.She will not marry Jeff but will continue as they are.Jeff,says Althea, sees through Philip's plan to match him with Adrienne.Philip suggests Althea alienate Jeff by making him angry enough to break up.

Mona is disappointed she had to hear about LeeAnn from Philip ,but is comforted by the new that Billy and Nola are not getting married.

Danny urges Maggie to talk to Ivie before she checks out.Ivie states that doctors and medicine can't help her recover from the loss of her 6 year old daughter,Elvira, years ago. Maggie shares her worry about LeeAnn and advises Ivie to grieve and cry. Ivie returns to work at The Medicine Man,not ready for medical help,but surprised by the kindness of so many people.

Nola offers to throw Luke and Natalie a big party to announce their marriage.Nola believes its time to look forward even though she is saddened that her baby will be born without a father.She wants to keep her breakup with Billy a secret for now.

Great to read behind the scenes stuff,rather than actor interviews (do enjoy them also!)

Chick Weiss went on to The Doctors in the late 70's but disappeared from the soap scene.Wonder what happened to him? He was still young and surely would have been a useful asset to any show.

Lynn Loring departed in 61, so the Patti appearing in 66 was probably Melissa Murphy.

Don't know why there were so many Patti's during the 60's.

Lynn Loring would have been a hard act to follow,so Nancy Pinkerton ,her replacement had big shoes to fill. The next Patti,Abigail Kellogg,lasted 3 years and maybe left at the end of her contract in 64.

Patrica Harty was next for about a year,then Gretchen Walther stepped in in 65.melissa Murphy was next(65-660 then Trish Van Devere in 67.Melinda Plank lasted about 2 years.She later used the name Melinda Cordell and was on Y&R and GH in the 80's.

i have read that some of these actresses were only on for a few days or weeks.

Leigh Lassen the stayed for 6 years until Len and Patti were written out. Tina Sloan came on for a few months and Patti was sent off again.Sloan had been popular on Somerset,so maybe it was a change of writers that had Patti leave so soon.

Then the writers had Sarah turn up,a never bewfore mentioned daughter while Patti's 2 established children,Chris and Tracey were ignored.Then when patti finally returned,her children were nowhere to be seen.

To the show's credit they kept Patti as a major character for over 20 years,Other shows sent children out of town,banished forever, eg Alan and Barbara LOL

Greg and Meredith were written out in March 78 . Greg would have been on maximum 6 months.

Henry Slesat took over from Robert J Shaw and cast changes began.

Dec 77 SOD synopsis

What Lisa wants most in life right now is to have her husband back – and she’ll do anything and say anything to achieve this end. She can no longer play games. The time has come for complete honesty – the brutal naked truth is her last hope for saving her marriage.

Lisa calls Grant and asks to see him. She arrives at his office without her customary bravado. Shyly she sits herself down in one of his chairs and begins to relate what really happened between her and Bob. She says the passion was strictly one-sided. Bob didn’t encourage her in any way. He always made it very clear that he felt nothing for her other than a deep and caring friendship – but she blinded herself to this truth. She continued to pursue him until he was forced to tell her to her face that he didn’t love her. Lisa concludes her revelation by saying, “Grant, I now know it was a foolish desire I carried around for Bob, and I am very sorry for turning away from you. Please give me another chance.” Lisa then breaks down in tears. Grant takes her in his arms and comforts her. He says okay, he’ll give her another chance, but before he moves back into the house he wants the two of them to have a serious discussion. To insure the success of their union, he wants each one to tell the other what each expects from the marriage. Lisa agrees to this request. They set up a date to meet later that week.

For the hundredth time, Jay is going over his books with Mary and Laurie. He’s going to find how Pete Larsen was stealing from him if it takes all night. He tried to beat it out of the guy at the construction site, but all that resulted in was the cops being called in and breaking up the fracas. Suddenly the intense concentration of these three people is broken by Jay shouting, “I found it! I know how Pete was cheating me.” Jay then dons his coat and dashes out of the office, telling Mary and Laurie he’s going over to Pete’s place and make him pay up.

Jay arrives at his former foreman’s apartment and bangs loudly on the door. He’s unaware that his violent antics are being observed by one of Pete’s neighbors. Jay’s loud shouting frightens the middle-aged woman and she dashes back into her apartment.

An hour or so after his encounter with Pete, Jay shows up at Melinda’s apartment. Melinda notices Jay is pretty shaken and she asks what’s the matter. Jay tells her about his verbal fight with Pete Larsen. There was a lot of yelling but no hitting. Pete finally saw the light and agreed to pay him back the money.

On his way home to Carol and his apartment, Jay hears the announcer’s voice on the car radio blare forth some very frightening news. It went as follows: “PETE LARSEN WAS FOUND DEAD IN HIS APARTMENT. THE POLICE SUSPECT HE WAS MURDERED. FIRST INDICATIONS ARE HE WAS SEVERELY BEATEN.” Jay shudders. He needs an alibi. He didn’t kill Pete (when he left the man’s apartment, he was very much alive) but who will believe him after the way he was talking about the guy. Jay calls his friend, Fred McNeil, and asks him to be his alibi. When the police question him, he’ll tell them he was with him (Fred) the whole night. If he tells the police the truth, they’ll never believe he left Pete alive in his apartment. Fred agrees to come through for Jay. He’ll second Jay’s story to the authorities. Jay breathes easier. He arrives home and makes up with Carol. They agree to be more sensitive to the other’s needs. Jay doesn’t tell her the truthful events of that evening. He tells her his alibi story. He still can’t be honest with her.

Jay has been arrested for suspicion of murder. The woman who saw Jay enter Pete’s apartment, put aside her fears, and went to the police. The police then called Jay and asked him to come down to headquarters. They said they had some more questions to ask him. While Jay is being interrogated, the woman identifies Jay as the man who burst into Pete’s apartment. Jay says she’s crazy, he was with Fred McNeil. The police then bring Fred into the room. Fred tells Jay he told the police the truth. Once he found out Jay lied to him, he could no longer be his alibi. Jay could say nothing further. The police book him, and Jay calls Laurie and asks her to get in touch with Tom.

Tom arrives at headquarters and bails Jay out. They then return to Jay’s apartment. Carol welcomes him with loving arms. She had been informed of his arrest by Judge Lowell. Carol asks Jay to now tell her the whole truth. Jay does…well, almost. He tells her about his verbal argument with Pete, but he doesn’t tell her nor Tom that he went to Melinda’s afterwards. (She’s his alibi, but it’s an alibi which could destroy his marriage.) He just says that after leaving Pete’s dwelling, he drove around, stopping first at an out-of-the-way coffee shop and then at a bar.

Tom tells Carol things look very bad for Jay. As it stands now, all the evidence is stacked against him. He had the motive and he’s the only one who has been pinpointed at the scene of the crime. It’s not very likely that the police will look for anyone else.

Depression is no longer hindering John’s recovery. He now has found a reason for living…and he owes it all to Mary. After all, if it weren’t for her, Dr. Alex Keith would never have seen his manuscript…and the completion of this manuscript is now what’s keeping him going.

Dr. Keith is very high on the book. He told John it’s going to be an important medical text. It will open many doors for him. It may even get him back into a hospital. Alex’s words made John’s spirits soar. He immediately calls Mary and asks if she’ll help with the typing of the book. Mary wants to free herself of John…but she can’t. She keeps remembering that he saved her life, she agrees to assist.

Mark was hoping to get out of the hospital in the very near future. He becomes very depressed when he realizes this dream isn’t to become a reality. His body seems to be losing the battle against his disease. Susan tries to cheer him up…but she fails. She’s trying very hard to keep her objectivity…will she be able to keep on doing so? She can’t deny that she’s suffering along with the boy.

Jane wants to give Beau and Annie a very extravagant gift. She wants to bestow upon them a joint membership in Oakdale’s very exclusive and elite country club. Beau wants to accept the gift; Annie is hesitant. She isn’t the country club type. Beau, so far, is adhering to his wife’s wishes, but knowing Beau, how much longer will he continue to live in poverty?

Grant has moved back into the house. He has decided to give his marriage a second chance. His talk with Lisa was very satisfactory. She seemed very sincere when she told him that this time she’ll be much more sensitive to his needs. She’ll also be more open and direct about her feelings. There’ll be no more game playing. Lisa’s words caused Grant to feel that their marriage now has a very good chance of turning into a long and fulfilling union.

Grant goes to see Val and tells her of his decision. Val fights back the tears. She was silently hoping he wouldn’t go back to Lisa. She has come to care for this man very deeply. She would have liked nothing more than to have been his new love. Val prays that Lisa will treat him right.

Bob has been living a very quiet life these days…but is that soon to change? Is a new love about to enter his life? Could be. He doesn’t yet know her name, but from the first minute he saw her, at a department store, when she gave his daughter a little gift, he knew he’d never forget her. She has left a very strong impression in his mind. He’s very intrigued.

For a while, Mark’s future looked very hopeful. His test revealed he was showing great progress battling his disease…but now he has once again taken a turn for the worse. He has developed pneumonia.

David learns the news and prays Susan will be able to handle this critical time in Mark’s life. One would have to be blind not to notice how attached she has become to this young man…and this type of deep attachment could be very damaging to Susan. Will she have the strength to weather the storm?

Kim and Dan are very worried about Mary’s involvement with John. They have been noticing that she’s been spending more and more time with him at the hospital. She doesn’t have to devote that much time helping him with his book.

They both can’t help but feel that John isn’t the right man for her. She’s so sweet, innocent, and trusting. John will only hurt her again. He swears he’s changed, but they have their doubts – that much evil could not have been obliterated so quickly.

Jane throws a big, gala bash honoring Beau and Annie. She tried to keep it simple, but somehow it wound up being the party event of the season. The guest list included many of Beau’s old friends, as well as the rich, the prominent and the powerful.

It’s an old, familiar world to Beau and he easily slips back into it. He hardly notices that his wife is having a slightly harder time adapting. Annie spends most of the evening on the sidelines. She tries, but she can’t really be comfortable amongst Oakdale’s Beautiful People. She looks over at her husband and silently wishes he shared her uneasiness…but it’s obvious he doesn’t. She has never seen him happier. Annie then makes a decision which she later voices to Beau. She says they can accept his mother’s gift of membership to the country club.

Susan’s frazzled state propels David to have it out with Alex. He accuses Alex of using Susan…and now abandoning her. She’s driving herself to the breaking point because she’s worried about Mark…and she’s worried about Mark because Alex got her involved with him. Susan needs help and Alex has to be the one to give it. It’s only right.

Alex is not as insensitive as he comes on, and David’s words quickly hit him where he lives. He immediately lets his real self shine through – and it’s a kind, gentle spirit who approaches Susan and says he’s taking her home. He won’t take no for an answer. He’ll leave word with the hospital to contact them at her apartment if there’s any change in Mark.

Susan is too wound up to relax. She tells Alex she’s afraid to be alone. She’s afraid of what she might do. Alex says he’ll stay the night with her. He’ll sleep on her couch…and then in the morning they can go to the hospital together. Susan is very thankful for Alex’s kindness – and she’s also very surprised by this compassionate side of his nature. She’s beginning to think that she judged him too harshly; he’s not such a monster after all.

The next day when they return to the hospital, they receive some very good news. Mark’s fever is down. He’s beginning to fight his pneumonia. He’s on the road to recovery. Susan and Alex have never felt happier or more relieved in their lives.

With their reconciliation still at the infant stage, Lisa has already displeased her husband. He didn’t like the fact that she made two fairly important decisions without taking a moment to consult him. He thought she agreed that this time a thing like that wouldn’t happen again. She was going to be more considerate of his needs and feelings. Lisa apologizes for her insensitivity, but Grant is still left with a slight twinge of doubt about his decision to give his marriage a second chance. Was he too hasty in assuming that Lisa could really change?

Mary is a very important person in John’s life and what he wants more than anything is to reestablish a deep, personal relationship with her…and he feels he can do it. He knows just the right buttons to push to draw her closer to him. He can win…as long as he doesn’t get any outside interference. But that’s exactly what he has gotten. Mary tells him, she has been warned against him. She won’t say who did the warning, but John assumes it’s his old nemesis, Dan. John makes plans for revenge.

He thinks one good way to get at Dan is to widen the breach between him and Alex. Wearing his most sincere countenance, John tells Alex he’d be wise to keep a close eye on Dan. He’s not as forthright and honest as he appears. He’s really a back stabbing bastard of the highest order. Alex tried to make light of John’s warning, but it’s obvious it has left a deep and lasting impression on him.

Not sure what the plans were for Matt but with other major characters leaving,maybe they were going to take the risk and kill him off.

As for future plans,who knows?

Stephie and Erich Aldrich were SORASED before the end and maybe Mike's son was alsoo going to be aged. They brought on James and Marilyn,Mona's new son so perhaps their kids might have been the focus of a new family as the Dancy's had been obliterated(apart from Luke).

Days has been airing in Australia since the late 60's and many stars over the years have visited. Deidre Hall was there a few months ago promoting her book and her part in some sort of health/mind/body/spirit seminar.

For Michael GL and others interested in TD, a summary of SOD synopsis from SEt 14th 1982 issue.

Maggie is worried about Matt and confides in Althea, who is torn as she knows Matt may be dying, but has promised to keep the secret.

Billy tries to recover the $75,000 from Frankie and Dennis ,which he gave them for the 'wrong' necklace,but it's too late - it has been spent.But Billy threatens them with pictures he took of their 'deal' with Mona, so they agree to pepay.

Frankie and Dennis plan to skip town with the money,but Dennis collapses and Frankie checks him into Hope as a John Doe.

Mona is thrilled with her new 'Faberge' necklace and pressures Lt Reed to stop his investigation into the grave robberies.He bullies her into revealing more info but she faints and is rushed to hospital.

Danny agrees to Mike's offer to join the Trauma unit and his first patient is Mona.No one can make a clear diagnosis.

Natalie is frantic as she has made Like sign the'option to buy' paper for Phillip Manning and fears for her marriage and the future of The Medicine Man.

Greta tells Maggie that she's prepared to fly to California to be with Theo.

Mona fears death is imminent and Steve and Carolee privately fear the worst.

Matt tries to win back Maggie and Althea urges her not to waste time in recommitting to Matt,

Jeff offers little resistance to Adrienne's seductive plans.

Greta is thrilled when Theo shows up at her doorstep.They declare their love and plan their future,but a phone call detailing Katy's worsening condition means Theo must leave immediately.

As Phillips 'assistant', Billy makes his arrogant presence felt at Hope,aggravating Matt and having him battle with Phillip as to who is actually in charge.

Frankie threatens Mona and she fakes a fainting spell to avoid Lt Reed's question as to who sold her the necklace.

Matt learns his bone marrow transplant has less than 50% chance of success.

Greta decides her place is with Theo as his wife. Matt wishes her all the best,knowing he may never see her again.

Billy threatens Frankie to stop him skipping town.Scared frankie agrees to work for billy.

A frantic Adrienne,after examining herself in the mirror, makes a call to Jean Marc.

Theo creates a problem for Phillip when he transfers the Whitney fortune from the Madison Trust.

During Theo and Greta's engagement party,Natalie tries to steal back the 'option to buy' paper, but is caught by Billy,who forces her to have sex.

At the party,Greta gets a gift-a crushed wedding cake inscribed'better luck next time"

After sex,Billy refuses to hand over the paper,and blackmails her into further sessions,so Nat steals the necklace and plans to turn the tables on him.

Realizing Jeff is growing tired of her antics,Adrienne urges Phillip to put Jean Marc on staff as another weapon against Matt Powers.

This issue reports the arrival of Jean LeClerc as Jean Marc,Mark Goddard as Paul Reed and Nancy Stafford as Adrienne. Departures were Lori nan Engler as Greta.Kim Zimmer as Nola,Maia Danziger as Katy and Jeannie Costigan as Lee Ann.

Not much has been mentioned about this show,which is always given positive reviews in write-ups.Thought I'd bump this thread to perhaps get discussion going.

One of FTR's claims to fame is the incident when actress Julie Bovasso walked off the set shortly before live airing and a production assistant had to go on in the role of Rose.

This article from Aug 61 mentions an actress and character that I've never seen mentioned in any reference books.As the show was cancelled in December.that story probably had barely got off the ground and matbe was curtailed when news of cancellation came through.

Israeli actress Yardena has joined the cast of NBC TV's From These Roots, in the role of a sophisticated girl who poses a threat to the happy marriage of Liz and David Allen (Ann Flood and Robert Mandan).

Yardena plays Helene,a new fashion consultant on the staff of 'Lady Fair', the magazine on which Liz Allen is editor. In coming shows,Roy Cleveland (Richard X Slattery), the millionaire publisher of 'Lady Fair', enlists the glamorous newcomer in his attempts to break up Liz and David.

Once a private in the Israeli Army,and a member of the Oroth Repertory Company in Jerusalem for five years, Yardena has appeared in numerous television shows,two movies and Off broadway theater since coming to the Us three and a half years ago.She had a small role in From These roots a year ago.

her name is pronounced Yar-day-na and is the Israeli equivalent of Jordana. "I was named for the river Jordan",she says,explaining that it is a common practice in Isreal to name babies after rivers,trees,flowers and mountains.

Just caught up with that interview. Always interesting to read that behind the scenes stuff. For whatever reason Michael Hawkins comes across as a little flakey. I remember some years later SOD reported he was now using the name Michael Gainsborough and was attempting to relaunch his career.

He is now 75 years old and Wikipedia says he became a composer.

I wonder what his relationship is like with his son.

Diana Millay was the first Kitty. I have never read of how Kitty was involved in the storylines at the time.

I have seen Marta/Shana;s name in some cast lists but never any mention of the character in synopses.