Best of Everything

[Brent]

[DRW50]

I'd definitely be interested in anything you have to say about the soaps you watched. I think a number of people here would. I'd love to see some of that era, so watching it at the time, when the soaps were stronger and had individual identities, it must have been something.

Which ones did you watch? Did they all have organ music then or had they moved on by that time?

I've heard about how awful the Secret Storm became and that only the story about the priest had some interest near the end. Were you annoyed about how they destroyed the Ames family?

[Brent]

Well in fact, being a Roman Catholic, it was the priest plot line that offended me. But it was much worse than just that. "SS" was the best--intelligent, gripping and well written. Organ was used on all the CBS soaps then--how evocative it was!!! Scenes were lengthy--usually only 3 set ups to a half hour show--even after video tape in 1967, programs were done straight through--none of those ludicrous 2 minute sketches, that a friend of mine who watches Young and the Restless tells me is routine today. On that note I was in a doctor's office last winter, and while in the reception room saw about 15 minutes of a current serial and all my worst suspicions were confirmed, (and I had been told by others). The whole thing was so asinine--so dumbed down--with brief 3 to 4 minute segments, (highly edited). It made me glad to be old since I remember they way they were.

I watched "Storm" "Edge of Night" "Guiding Light" and "ASTWT" as frequently as an active athletic kids schedule would permit, (in fact compared to today's youngsters I watched very little TV).

Have to sign off now, but if you are interested I can comment on Marjorie Gateson, (of movie fame as Grace Tyrrel) whose maid was none other than Margaret Hamilton of the Wizard of Oz.

Can also tell about the big outdoor film sequence used on Storm for the drowning of Belle Clemen's daughter Robin on Memorial Day 1968, and about Valerie Ames accidentally killing Brooke with a letter opener in October 1966.

Many other memories too, such as Lisa's mother on ASWT. Let me know if you have particular inquries.

Best,

BU (excuse any typos please as I'm rushing).

[DRW50]

I'd love to hear anything about those soaps, especially Lisa's mother, as I've always wondered about her (I've just seen her in one or two photos). Or anything about characters like Penny, Jeff, Neil Wade, or anyone on ATWT in the 60s. I was also wondering if you had any thoughts on the main GL characters of that era, like the Bauers, Robin, Peggy. Did you get to see Edge during the time they brought Nicole in? That story where two women were stalking her and one accidentally killed the other is one I wanted to see. You've seen the EON page right?

http://lavender.fortunecity.com/casino/403/

Here's a Secret Storm episode from 1966:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJ7A5Sc0Pnc

There are some GL episodes from the 60s on Youtube, have you ever watched those? Here are some links to some clips:

http://glmemories.blogspot.com/2007/01/shadows-of-past.html

http://glmemories.blogspot.com/2008/09/love-and-anger.html

http://glmemories.blogspot.com/2008/02/in-balance.html

Edited May 26, 2010 by CarlD2

[Paul Raven]

Best of Everything was replaced by reruns of That Girl.

[Brent]

Thank you for the links. I will try to drum up some memories and respond at greater length within a few days. Did see the intro of Nicole on Edge. Her father was a loan shark and once soaked a van with gasoline and set it ablaze! Summer of 68. In the sixties before they adopted the light house opening logo, GL just opened with a tight close up of one of the characters. More later.

Best,

BU

[Brent]

Again thanks so much for the clips.

In looking at this site, though, and both the youth of the members, and the contemporary thrust of the shows' most focused on here, I wonder if my recollections of "The Secret Storm" from 1964 through 1972 would really hold much interest?, since the emphasis (even in the cancelled soaps section seems to be on programs of the 80's and 90's--with the exception of "Dark Shadows"). I rather fear, "Secret Storm" would seem pre-historic, and perhaps worse, not even remembered by those visiting the site. All Best,

BU

[Bright Eyes]

Oh dear God no. At least not for me. The Secret Storm is the number one soap I am most interested in. I just have a feeling I would have absolutely loved it (Belle Ames sounds quite enthralling) Please, tell us anything you can about it.

[DRW50]

I'm only speaking for myself, but I would LOVE to hear more about Secret Storm. This being a show which is not contemporary makes me more interested, because that means the show exists more in the memory and your memories help create memories for others who never saw the show. I also feel that the original theme of Secret Storm, the Ames family and their struggles to come to grips with the mother's death, the schemes of her sister, etc. is something which is very brave. And a lot of the stuff which soaps covered back then is probably more fitting to modern times than most of what you get on today's soaps, which is brain dead 20 year olds.

[Brent]

Allright--I'll go ahead and put what I can under "Secret Storm" in a new thread. Hope it won't fall on "deaf eyes"

Best,

BU

[SFK]

Yes indeed, we all want to hear about that Belle!

[DRW50]

Brent, you may have already seen these on Youtube, but here are some Secret Storm promos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbDqlcHx0jY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukS5uoXD4VU

This one mentions the story you mentioned, with Belle's daughter drowning.

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[BFORE02]

I knew I had these but just rediscovered them I have 3 scripts from The Best of Everything they are episodes 112, 113,114 airring Monday Sept 7, 8, 9th 1970. just 3 weeks before it ended.

Typical work day for them was:

9-10 DRY REHEARSAL

10-11:45 CAMERA BLOCKING

11:45-12:45 BREAK

12:45-1:30 RUN THRU

1:30-2 NOTES

2-2:30 DRESS

2:30-3 NOTES

3-3:30 VTR

WHAT A GREAT GIGS WERE FOR ACTORS BACK THEN LOTS OF SOAPS TO WORK ON AND STILL TIME TO BE ABLE TO DO OTHER PROJECTS IF YOU WANTED.AND WORK A 6.5 HR DAY

THEY SHOT THE SHOW AT STUDIO 17 205 EAST 67TH ST NEW YORK AND SHOW WAS FILMED AUG 19,26,27 THEY MUST HAVE SHUT DOWN PRODUCTION A FEW DAYS TO GIVE PEOPLE BREAKS.

[Brent]

[BFORE02]

CREDITS ON THE COVER SHEETS FOR THE SCRIPTS WERE:

CREATED WRITTEN AND EXECUTIVE PRODUCER JAMES LIPTON

PRODUCER JACQUELINE BABBIN

DIRECTOR ALAN PULTZ,DENNIS KANE

ASSOCIATE PRODUCER SID SIRULNICK

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR JERRY FRITZ

PRODUCTION ASST NANCY HORWICH

UNIT MANAGER CLEM EGOLF

ASST TO PRODUCER JEAN DADARIO

SETS USED ON THESE DAYS WERE:

SQUIRREL'S PAD

BLACK VELOR AREA

JORDAN'S LR

KEY LR

DEDARIO OFFICE

APRIL'S APT

DEDARIO TAPE RECORDER LIMBO AREA

CHAPEL

WAITING ROOM HOSPITAL

DESTERTED STORE EXT/INT