Jump to content

Guiding Light Discussion Thread


Paul Raven

Recommended Posts

  • Replies 17.7k
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Top Posters In This Topic

Posted Images

  • Members

If I remember correctly, the video for this opening was found footage.  I believe I heard that on a daytime talk-show fairly early in the run of this opening. Don't remember which talk show or why they were discussing Guiding Light.  Sorry. It was nearly 50-years ago. This is one of my three favorite GL openings, and I believe it fit the show perfectly at the time.   

Edited by Mona Kane Croft
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

This reminds me of something from Star Trek - like the episode with Kathryn Hays. 

I do think the full closing theme is beautiful. The opening music, similar to ATWT's 93-00 opening, is just too sludgy and somber for me.

The 83-85 music and visuals are great, unfortunately marred by how much the show is hollowed out in that time frame.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

My other two favorites are: the one before this one -- the one with the lighthouse.  That was a grand old theme song that, again, was perfect for its time. It is also one of my favorite "classic" soap opera openings.   And next, "Hold on to Love".  That theme, along with the visuals, was one of my favorite "modern" soap opera openings. That opening should probably have been kept until the show ended. Nothing after it ever measured up, in my opinion.

Actually, I believe that is exactly what it was!   Something like that, anyway. It was definitely not something shot specifically for Guiding Light. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

Excuse me...Mr. Tony Reardon's Hiiii-YAAAA is a classic! I hated the 85- to whatever cheap ass opening!

I like it too..it feels like someone wrapped a blanket around me for some reason, probably because I was a kid and would hear it on Christmas and summer vacations in the next room, with my Mom not paying attention to what I was doing!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

I remember seeing a photo of a Guiding Light opening in an old soap magazine I had back in the 90's that had the title words on the screen and the I"s were real burning candles. When was that used ?

I wonder if the person who shot it ever got residuals or knew the footage was used for the show ? 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

I think the dead leaves opening looks so muddy and mute because we have mostly cruddy quality videos of it. When they released those episodes on DVD, it was my first time actually being able to see trees in it lol The concept of finding the light while covered in darkness is great, though, almost the opposite of EON's light gradually giving away to darkness.

As a soap theme/graphics enthusiast, GL will always be interesting because of how many different themes and title cards it went through. My #1 fave will always be the orange Fire Island lighthouse from 74-75, with the full orchestral La Lumiere theme - so much so that I have a print of the lighthouse hanging in my house. In the modern era, it Hold On to Love is the clear champ, but I do love the very last arrangement of My Guiding Light (I call it the New Edition version lol).

I read years ago online (John Kelly Genovese, I think) that it was just used in print ads in newspapers/magazines in the 50s. Funny they never used a candle motif onscreen since the light originally referred to a lamp in a window.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

I think as soon as Amanda and Lucille was introduced the Dobsons had the long term plan in place that they were tied to the Spauldings and that Alan was Amanda's father. The identity of the mother was not dealt with.

 Then  Marland explored that  introducing Jennifer and Morgan.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

Hold on to Love is my clear winner. And I like the one with Nola/Vanessa in the opening. I would KILL to see the episode of Billy dumping Vanessa on that couch.

I do like the visuals of the '70's ones with the stripey lighthouse.

Question: someone must know where Guiding Light shot their outdoor scenes in the early '80's. Specifically for Nola and Quint's wedding, and Reva's walk after the non-wedding to Kyle (which, honestly, I just rewatched and is lowkey hilarious in retrospect. I didn't even remember that was when Josh returned, but knew it the moment I caught sight of Josh's leather jacket. Robert Newman must've worn that thing forEVER.)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below.
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.




  • Recent Posts

    • Agree to disagree. I like it. No doubt it's different. It's supposed to be. Is it dated? Yes, but then that's natural, it's from 1977. I think that reviewer needed to watch a few more episodes. It is clever but not precocious. The role reversal IMO works & well. The best thing I could advise anyone interested, is to try it for yourself, you can always quit it if you don't like it. As much of it as some of us were able to gain access to are up on the Internet Archive & also on my Rumble acct. If you need further directions, PM me. 
    • This was really amazing to watch.   They said that a lot of stuff was filmed out-of-order, over a few weeks. John's memorial service was filmed a few days before Drake died, and then there was a prescheduled pause (the studio being dark for a haitus week).  So they got the news of his passing during the break. But some of the recent stuff at John's bedside (such as his death) was filmed after that hiatus break, so not long after Drake died.

      Please register in order to view this content

      I don't know how the actors got through it, especially Deidre. They said regarding episodes airing week of June 9th stuff, it will seem less dark to viewers, as there were some (relatively)  lighthearted moments. (not giving spoilers here).  But I guess Drake was still alive when those scenes were filmed, even though they knew he'd pass soon.
    • Thinking about where the current Cassadines are.  Alexis, Molly, Kristina, and Scout are currently active on canvas. Technically, Ace is on canvas, although we never see him. Jake is in school in Spain? Valentin and Charlotte are currently off-canvas, I think? I've lost track. I thought Valentin was in a prison somewhere, but then I remember reading something about Charlotte, and deciding if she'd live with Valentin or Lulu, but I don't remember what was decided.  I'm unclear on where Valentin is now. Nikolas is in prison. Did I miss anyone?
    • Thank you! Also, can't seem to find Oct thru December '73. I thought it was here at one time.  
    • Happy Pride 2025

      Please register in order to view this content

    • To me, he was her best romantic pairing!
    • In 1986, the writers had Zane shot twice in March and August when he died.  It’s like they didn’t know what to do with the character after they married him to Felicia.
    • Totally feel the same. Stacy’s fine, but this version of Kristen just exists for Brady’s storyline. No flashbacks, no real layers. Eileen always brought that extra spark - and her chemistry with Drake back in the day? So good. Definitely feels like a missed opportunity. Can you imagine Eileen’s Kristen walking in, all shaky, and just hugging Marlena? Both of them crying - like actual, messy, earned tears? That would’ve hit so much harder. Pure soap gold.
    • Xanthe, evidence of the Michigan setting could be found in the scenes when Rachel is on the run for shooting Mitch, which was in late 1980/early 1981. I remember a scene where they showed Bay City on a map of Michigan.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy