The Doctors

[DRW50]

The June 1958 TV Radio Mirror article I put up a few years back.

A blog entry on Kathleen.

http://classictvhistory.wordpress.com/2013/02/11/the-candy-fudge-sundae-girl/

[amybrickwallace]

I got a kick out of watching the surgical monitor that Steve was working at during the surgery. That equipment was obviously state of the art in 1968 - now it looks positively antiquated!!!

Does anyone know how long Kathleen Murray lasted on TD? Bethel's name is still in the credits (Kathleen Murray's isn't, at least not yet.)

Also, I've been meaning to ask but keep forgetting. Those of you who watched Lydia Bruce's Maggie - what was she like compared to Bethel's Maggie? Did she have that droll delivery and side eye, or was she warmer and softer? We still have a ways to go before she comes on and I can't find anything of her on YT.

[DRW50]

I've only seen some episodes of her in the show's last few years. She seemed somewhat neurotic, while also being strong. I don't think the humor or wryness was played up as much.

[jam6242]

I don't remember Lydia Bruce playing Maggie as sarcastic but my best memories of her are from the 70s so she could have changed over the years. I always sort of thought of Matt and Maggie as the patriarchal/matriarchal figures because they seemed old (lol) to me at the time compared to the other characters (and myself).

Kathleen Murray reminded me very much of Ann Williams.

[Avatar610]

And sadly, like Miss Murray, Ann Williams was claimed by cancer much too soon.  

[amybrickwallace]

Thank you both for your observations. As much as I have enjoyed Bethel Leslie, I am really looking forward to seeing Lydia Bruce.

[slick jones]

A poster on another board told me she thought Polly's niece Lydia was played by Gretchen Walther, does that sound right to anyone?

[Matt]

That could very well be. Although I'm not overly familiar with Walther, she would be the right age and had previously played Patti Tate on SFT for a period and this would've been right before she was on another NBC soap "Hidden Faces". A very quick image search on Google turns up this photograph for comparison.

Edited November 13, 2014 by Matt

[beebs]

I would say that was almost definitely her. I'm still kind of stunned I didn't catch Lanna Saunders as the other niece as well! Such great actresses in such short-term roles. They really were spoiled in this era.

Already missing Bethel Leslie as Maggie. There's something so very mature, commanding, and yet so vulnerable about Bethel Leslie's Maggie that I find so very compelling. I hope Lydia Bruce wows me the same way once she appears. Quite tragic Kathleen Murray's story. Had she been struggling with her illness by this point, or did she rapidly deteriorate? Had she been diagnosed at this point, if anyone knows?

[amybrickwallace]

I couldn't find much info on Kathleen Murray, so I have no way of knowing if she was already ill when she filled in on TD. I am already familiar with the story of Kitty Foyle, having watched the 1940 movie that starred Ginger Rogers in the title role (and won her an Oscar).

Also, I missed Bethel Leslie in the second episode. Your assessment of her portrayal of Maggie is right on the money. But I am eager to see Lydia Bruce as well.

[Avatar610]

Today I have seen two remarkable episodes that celebrate the circle of life- major things happened, and that's all I'm going to say........

[DRW50]

Kathleen reminds me of Tina Louise, for some reason.

I wasn't too thrilled with the way John grabbed the last niece's arm and dragged her into another room. It reminded me of stuff on soaps today.

[slick jones]

I wonder why Ms. Murray is credited as Lila Anderson, maybe a past character?

Great episodes today!

[amybrickwallace]

Both episodes were terrific, with major events happening. The part I really lost it at was Mr. Bunker towards the end of the second episode. What Matt said to John after leaving Mr. Bunker's room really said it all.

[robbwolff]

And Kathleen Murray reminds me a bit of Barbara Rucker. There's a bit of a resemblance.

Edited November 14, 2014 by robbwolff