In honor of AW's 45th anniversary,I thought I'd start this thread and perhaps all future posts concerning this show could be in one place.at present there are several threads.

Here's a description from Irna Phillips at the time of debut.

"What I want to say is that none of us can face reality 24 hours a day. We must have private 'worlds', made up of our down dreams and pleasures and emotions, into which to retreat. Otherwise, it would be simply too much!"

The story follows the lives of the families of two brothers, William and James Matthews, in a suburban university town. It opens with the death of William, then shows how the sad events affects the widow and their children and the other brother and his family. Grandma Matthews gets into the action, to. The writer promises to relate to contemporary problems; two of them she mentioned are school dropouts and illegitimacy.

1 hour ago, j swift said:

Even looking back at them as teens, I could believe Dennis to be more of the moral center and Jamie to be a playboy. Rachel's son should never have been anyone's second choice to Jake. 

True, considering all the women he had, he almost puts Cass to shame lol 

On 10/19/2021 at 3:48 PM, Liberty City said:

Based on what I've seen, Vana Tribbey gave me more Iris vibes than Alice.

Despite not being as strong as Jacqueline Courtney and Susan Harney, Wesley Ann Pfenning had a special kind of promise in the role of Alice, and it almost seems like had TPTB given her more time in the role, she could have worked out.

Just remember: the “P” in Pfenning is not silent.

I think the dates on this upload may be incorrect -- the first date listed is May 26, 1976, but the first scenes shown correspond to the daily synopsis for May 31 per the AWHP. The first scene is the one where Robert Delaney smashes Mac's bust and slashes Iris' portrait. (The day with the argument leading up to this cataclysm and the rehearsal where Nic Coster was so angry with Beverlee McKinsey he came in without any trousers on would therefore have been the episode before on the Friday.)

The video quality is not good as it seems to have been someone filming their TV set.

 

4 minutes ago, Xanthe said:

I think the dates on this upload may be incorrect -- the first date listed is May 26, 1976, but the first scenes shown correspond to the daily synopsis for May 31 per the AWHP. The first scene is the one where Robert Delaney smashes Mac's bust and slashes Iris' portrait. (The day with the argument leading up to this cataclysm and the rehearsal where Nic Coster was so angry with Beverlee McKinsey he came in without any trousers on would therefore have been the episode before on the Friday.)

The video quality is not good as it seems to have been someone filming their TV set.

 

Hmmm, interesting. Never knew about Nic Coster coming in with no pants. 😳

4 minutes ago, Xanthe said:

I think the dates on this upload may be incorrect -- the first date listed is May 26, 1976, but the first scenes shown correspond to the daily synopsis for May 31 per the AWHP. The first scene is the one where Robert Delaney smashes Mac's bust and slashes Iris' portrait. (The day with the argument leading up to this cataclysm and the rehearsal where Nic Coster was so angry with Beverlee McKinsey he came in without any trousers on would therefore have been the episode before on the Friday.)

The video quality is not good as it seems to have been someone filming their TV set.

 

Yeah, some of them are dated incorrectly, but not to the extent where you can’t figure out the actual date.

I think this was shot at the Paley Center, which forbids filming of any episodes that they have. Some angel (probably Eddie Drueding) recorded this in secret. 

1 hour ago, AbcNbc247 said:

Yeah, some of them are dated incorrectly, but not to the extent where you can’t figure out the actual date.

I think this was shot at the Paley Center, which forbids filming of any episodes that they have. Some angel (probably Eddie Drueding) recorded this in secret. 

Interesting. The Paley Center does have in its catalogue an episode with the May 26 date. I wonder why it doesn't synch up with the daily synopses. Perhaps there were preemptions affecting the schedule?

1 hour ago, amybrickwallace said:

Hmmm, interesting. Never knew about Nic Coster coming in with no pants. 😳

It's in his memoir and we had some discussion in this thread back in April about his and John Considine's "pranks".

52 minutes ago, Xanthe said:

It's in his memoir and we had some discussion in this thread back in April about his and John Considine's "pranks".

I really need to check that book out. 

21 hours ago, zanereed said:

I 100% agree - I never understood this, either.

Actually, they could have tweaked it a bit where Rachel and Russ wouldn't even need to be romantically involved. I would have played out the long game in the relationship - Rachel isn't looking for anyone new after the love of her life has passed. Russ isn't really looking for romance, either, and certainly not with his ex-wife. However, they both find a fun and unique *friendship*. They go out to dinner, dancing, etc. - they have fun!

Their non-romantic relationship causes various reactions with some in Bay City. For instance, Amanda is thrilled by the fact that her Mom is on the rebound, but not necessarily a romantic rebound. Matt has a different take, though, and doesn't trust the situation at all. Matt influences Josie to not trust her newfound father, and therefore Russ can't seem to get close to Josie, no matter how much he tries (much to the relief of Sharlene). I would have also kept either Alice or Pat on full time, as they would be the ones from the Matthews point of view - should Russ really be doing this? Is Russ falling for Rachel again? Is history repeating itself? Jamie would be the one who would look at it all with cautious optimism 😁.

 

Perfect! But in my heart of hearts, I think any new, major story for Russ would have worked so much better if Sam Groom had returned to the role. Having SG, Jacquie Courtney and Beverly Penberthy back would have made me orgasmic, LOL!

16 hours ago, AbcNbc247 said:

Yeah, some of them are dated incorrectly, but not to the extent where you can’t figure out the actual date.

I think this was shot at the Paley Center, which forbids filming of any episodes that they have. Some angel (probably Eddie Drueding) recorded this in secret. 

Right, this was secretly recorded at the Paley Center, where they forbid any recording, and will kick you out for doing it. Over the years, I'd heard some fans complain about the video quality of these "secretly recorded" episodes (there are other eps, including from the 1960s), but really: I'd rather see vintage material in poor quality than not seeing any of it at all.

2 hours ago, vetsoapfan said:

Right, this was secretly recorded at the Paley Center, where they forbid any recording, and will kick you out for doing it. Over the years, I'd heard some fans complain about the video quality of these "secretly recorded" episodes (there are other eps, including from the 1960s), but really: I'd rather see vintage material in poor quality than not seeing any of it at all.

Thankfully, all those clips/episodes have been re-uploaded, including a clip from the earliest surviving episode

29 minutes ago, AbcNbc247 said:

Thankfully, all those clips/episodes have been re-uploaded, including a clip from the earliest surviving episode

I grew up listening to old-time radio dramas, which obviously did not have corresponding video to watch, so these AW episodes with distorted pictures don't bother me in the least. As long as the sound is good, I can recognize all the voices and just treat the vintage eps as if they were made for radio.

10 hours ago, vetsoapfan said:

Perfect! But in my heart of hearts, I think any new, major story for Russ would have worked so much better if Sam Groom had returned to the role

I completely agree.  Vicky Wyndham and David Bailey did have chemistry, but Sam Groom was much more a leading man.  Plus, Groom had chemistry with everyone.  Seeing him and VW in a romance could have made them a 50's super-couple.  And, revisiting Rachel's relationship with the Matthews family would have been wonderful!   Just imagine what Iris would have thought about a Rachel/Russ re-match!!!??   Considering her own troubled history with Russ.   

 

Edited October 22, 20214 yr by Neil Johnson

On 10/20/2021 at 6:59 PM, Xanthe said:

I think the dates on this upload may be incorrect -- the first date listed is May 26, 1976, but the first scenes shown correspond to the daily synopsis for May 31 per the AWHP. The first scene is the one where Robert Delaney smashes Mac's bust and slashes Iris' portrait. (The day with the argument leading up to this cataclysm and the rehearsal where Nic Coster was so angry with Beverlee McKinsey he came in without any trousers on would therefore have been the episode before on the Friday.)

The video quality is not good as it seems to have been someone filming their TV set.

 

 Good clip. Slow moving and long scenes.  I enjoy that but that style wouldn’t fly in current soap culture 

I did not see any of the Iris/Robert Delaney relationship. Did Beverlee McKinsey and Nicolas Coster have chemistry?

When Coster was dropped from AW, the official word was that they had run out of story for Robert. Fans knew that wasn't true because Robert had learned he had a child by Clarice, there might have been more story with Iris, and he was still in love with Lenore, who could easily have been recast and brought back to Bay City.

4 hours ago, Neil Johnson said:

I completely agree.  Vicky Wyndham and David Bailey did have chemistry, but Sam Groom was much more a leading man.  Plus, Groom had chemistry with everyone.  Seeing him and VW in a romance could have made them a 50's super-couple.  And, revisiting Rachel's relationship with the Matthews family would have been wonderful!   Just imagine what Iris would have thought about a Rachel/Russ re-match!!!??   Considering her own troubled history with Russ.   

 

There was something almost quietly noble about Russ Matthews when Sam Groom played him. The character was sweet and charming, but never boring. I was really annoyed when Goutman brought Groom back for AW's finale, but in an anonymous, throw-away part. I loathe the trend on soaps of women falling in love/marrying with their rapists, their kidnappers, their would-be murderers. I never would have permitted the Rachel/Carl pairing if I had been in charge, but I would have pushed for a Rachel/Russ reunion after Mac died. Iris having a cow at the thought would have been an added bonus!

3 hours ago, TVFAN1144 said:

 Good clip. Slow moving and long scenes.  I enjoy that but that style wouldn’t fly in current soap culture 

That's the way I like my soaps: slow-moving with long, extended scenes based on character delineation. That style is long gone, alas.

On 10/20/2021 at 2:47 PM, j swift said:

I'm more of a Stephen Yates fan.  But, I far prefer that era of Jamie versus the Lau/Todd Jamie the Doctor era. It was always more believable to me that a boy raised by Rachel would grow up to be a creative type, prone to jealousy, and addiction. As opposed to a boring self righteous medical professional.  

Even looking back at them as teens, I could believe Dennis to be more of the moral center and Jamie to be a playboy. Rachel's son should never have been anyone's second choice to Jake. 

I 100% agree. Actually, I wish that Jamie had eventually found that he, like his father, had a natural affinity for business versus going to medical school. So maybe he starts out in the arts, for instance, but soon realizes he's better at "doing deals" than creating art? Or, he could have started in medical school and left for the same reason.

This motivates him to get active in Frame Enterprises, deciding that he is going to both embrace and enhance Steve Frame's legacy. Rachel, of course, is less-than-pleased, as (in her eyes) Jamie seems to be transforming bit by bit into a version of his father. Happy and outdoing Jamie starts becoming introverted and brooding, and this would include the jealousy and addiction issues as you listed above.

23 hours ago, vetsoapfan said:

Perfect! But in my heart of hearts, I think any new, major story for Russ would have worked so much better if Sam Groom had returned to the role. Having SG, Jacquie Courtney and Beverly Penberthy back would have made me orgasmic, LOL!

Yep, Sam Groom was always my preferred Russ Matthews, even though I remember David Bailey better because more of his era still exists to view. And Sam Groom could have good chemistry with anyone. So, my fanfic above could have worked very well. Imagine if the audience really got behind a (re)pairing of Rachel and Russ *organically*. Meaning (heaven forbid!) that the writers respect that the love of Rachel's life was gone, and that they were just having a slow build to a *possible* romance. Again, Rachel and Russ had extensive history, so just playing with that part of it and having them interact as old *friends* would have been fun to watch play out. Groom would have likely shined in a storyline like this. Plus, it would also be interesting to see how much chemistry Groom would have had with Anna Kathryn Holbrook - that might have led to some great stuff, as well...

I would have brought Pat back when Iris returned and was making a play for Cory Publishing. Rachel doesn't trust Iris, of course, and asks Pat to come back to Bay City to help deal with Iris (assuming Pat was still associated to Cory Publishing, as she was when they wrote Pat out in 1982). However, Rachel and Pat butt heads (once again), and Pat starts having more in common with Iris than Rachel...

For Alice, I would have brought Alice back as Administrator of Bay City Hospital. This would put her in the orbit of both Russ and Jamie. This would give her ample opportunity to interact with Russ about his ongoing, non-romantic relationship with Rachel 😁.

Edited October 22, 20214 yr by zanereed