The Doctors

[Paul Raven]

Some information on the early days of The Doctors.

Ian Martin and William Kendall Clarke were writing the show in May 64.

When the show was using the weekly anthology format John Pickard and Frank Provo were writers.

Their credits include

Eps 271 - 275 Judgement of Solomon

Eps 311 - 315 New Wings for Old

Also eps titled No Greater Love & In His Mysterious Way

Doris Frankel wrote eps 296 - 300 Gold is a Happy Color

Episode that aired Friday April 19th 1963 'The Helping Hand'

Circumstances force a reluctant doctor to take on a surgical procedure that he does not feel ready to perform. Dr. Frank Dickson and Dr. Bill Scott are concerned about a patient who is suffering from an ulcerated colon that requires surgery. But with a serious wrist injury, Dr. Scott is unable to perform this delicate operation. Dickson is the only other qualified physician on duty, but ever since he lost a patient in surgery, he has been too scared to operate again. Dickson, Scott, and Hayes endure a tense couple of hours, but their professionalism shines during this test of nerves.

Edited January 21, 2015 by Paul Raven

[jam6242]

The Dr. Hayes mentioned in that last synopsis must be Margot Moser's character. Moser and Jock Gaynor were two the original stars when the show began. They were let go when it changed from an anthology to a five-part per week format (which occurred the week of July 19, 1963). This is from a newspaper from that week:

"With Jock Gaynor and Margot Moser of the original cast both departed, the Hope Hospital staff is augmented by James Pritchett as new Chief of Staff and Ann Williams (Erica Brandt of the defunct 'Young Doctor Malone series) as an outpatient assistant. In another format change the . . . series shifts from daily dramas to week-long, 5-parters, opener dealing with a dying woman who refuses treatment until after the wedding of her daughter."

And these are articles about Moser and Gaynor prior to their departures:

[slick jones]

Was Matt's bellhop one of the Walton boys from The Walton's?

[jam6242]

I thought he was Jon Walmsley (Jason Walton) at first but then realized he would have been too young to play the role in 1968.

Edited January 23, 2015 by jam6242

[DRW50]

Thanks for the articles. Those are a real find. I wish we could see those characters. I wonder why the show didn't keep them on.

I cheated and watched a little of the new episode - it looks like they got Lydia Bruce some new clothes (I liked the zebra print dress).

I wonder if they brought Jody Lee in in a hurry, if they hadn't expected Terry Kiser to leave. Jody fills the same role of loudly telling funny stories that John Rice often filled (although not in a somewhat forced Southern accent).

Seeing Matt wander around shirtless in baggy pajama bottoms, the way a lot of guys did, was such a stark contrast to today's soaps, where he'd either be fully dressed, or wearing ridiculously tight underwear straight out of gay porn.

Edited January 23, 2015 by DRW50

[amybrickwallace]

Just curious - when Liz Hubbard made her debut as Dr. Althea Davis in 1964, was Althea still married to her first husband Dave or were they already divorced? From watching the episodes of Althea's therapy sessions with Dr. Bill Winters, I know that she also had a short-lived romance with the hospital chaplain (who chose his work over her) as well as her short-lived engagement to Matt (who saw her as a friend rather than a lover) before he married Maggie.

[Paul Raven]

In the history of TD posted above,it says that the cast by 65 included Dave Davis,Althea's ex husband,so I assume they were already divorced when Althea was introduced.That seems likely considering she had two romances by 67.

[amybrickwallace]

Thanks. Did Dave Davis ever appear again in the years to come?

[saynotoursoap]

Yes.

[amybrickwallace]

Thanks.

[amybrickwallace]

Here's an NBC Daytime promo from 1965, TD included:

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xyxi9_nbc-daytime-1965_news?start=12

[YRBB]

Naughty, naughty Karen! A nightgown in 1968?? Tsk tsk... And inviting Matt into her room to "help" with the window. Oh myyyyy.

[slick jones]

That trollop!!!!!!!!!!!!!Strumpet!!!!!!!!!woman of loose moral fiber!!!!!!!!!! Maggie's gonna get her!!!!!!

[slick jones]

Today's episode with the candy striper/ Nick scenes were good for relief after the Steve/ Karen scenes.

[YRBB]

LOL! Yeeeeeeeeeeeees!