All My Children Tribute Thread

[Janet Marlowe]

Of course.

Everyone always talked about Tara and Phil, and lots of people talked about Erica being outrageous...but I enjoyed Margo the most at that time. She was a "Desperate Housewife" type, and a former model and a bit of a mentor to Erica.

Erica often mentioned that she wanted to be "someone special" - and she would make fun of Pine Valley a lot (considered the residents hicks, haha).

I also loved Kitty Shea and Myrtle, and when she'd talk about working the carnival!!! 

I remember Donna's debut, and it wasn't Candace Early but a different actress. This must've been '75 or '76, because my sister watched Ryan's Hope during this time (as well as AMC). AMC and RH were VERY popular at my school. I never really got into RH.

Anyway, Donna was a teenaged hooker and her pimp used to beat her. She was taken to Pine Valley Hospital, where Dr. Chuck saw to her injuries. I even remember her outfit - purple with sequins and a beret and bright pink lipstick, eye shadow and blush  Her pimp was named Tyrone. Billy Clyde became her pimp after Tyrone was... murdered? I don't remember exactly what happened to him (went to prison?) I think I missed those episodes for some reason.

Donna's friend, Estelle LaTour, was also a ''lady of the night." Locust Street.  Another hooker from the group was Letty Jean.

Edited July 7, 2024 by Janet Marlowe

[DRW50]

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They manage to sum up the appeals of AMC in this period with such restraint. I can't imagine how anyone would bother to sum up a soap in a promo these days. 

[All My Shadows]

And every character pictured is a legend in his or her own right - not a single dud in the pack! It's amazing what can happen when there is a clear sense of pride in the production of these shows.

[DemetriKane]

@Janet Marlowe I am so jealous of you. I have wished for the day I could lay my eyes of the great 70s of AMC. The first time I read the 25th anniversary scrapbook I couldn't put it down because of all the stories you listed: Brooke's entrance,  Donna's prostitution,  and that Margo intrigued me the most. What a time to be alive!

Queers and Soaps did a part 2 on 1983 Erica Kane. 

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[Janet Marlowe]

Does anyone else remember Phoebe's snooty women's club, "The Daughters of Fine Lineage"?

I remember a hilarious scene involving the club and Donna that I will share (in detail) soon.

Phoebe: "Get out of my house - and out of my LIFE, you filthy STRUMPET!"

(Never heard the term "strumpet" before Phoebe)

Edited July 12, 2024 by Janet Marlowe

[DemetriKane]

Of course, Phoebe was a true hoot. I never heard ’Strumpet’ used before I started watching this show. That didn’t stop me from using it LOL.  
 

One character from the 70s I don’t hear much about but someone I became fascinated with is Anne Tyler.  They were fools for killing her off,  a true tragic heroine.

[alwaysAMC]

I remember this like it was yesterday - I really loved this storyline and the performances were top notch.  Thanks for posting!

[Khan]

I could understand Jason thinking that Michael Delaney had "turned" his brother (even if that mindset is CLASSIC homophobia), but I never understood why he felt shooting and killing him on live TV was the solution to the problem.  Did Jason believe Kevin would go back to being heterosexual if Michael were dead?

Edited July 14, 2024 by Khan

[Janet Marlowe]

I remember these scenes vividly because I found them so funny. It can't be 100% accurate, but this is essentially how  it went down:

It was summertime when Chuck had gone to have tea and visit Phoebe. It was a good visit, as Chuck had reminded his grandmother NOT to even MENTION Donna's name.

After tea, Chuck excused himself to the mansion library; he needed to check a medical book for something. He then returned to the main living room to wish Phoebe farewell. 

Phoebe was very excited,  getting ready for a meeting of her women's club, "The Daughters of Fine Lineage. " One of the members was bringing a porcelain replica of a statue of one of Pine Valley's founders, set to be erected in the park near her neighborhood.

Chuck made reservations for dinner at the Château, where he wished to lift Donna's spirits.

Donna's friend, Letty Jean, was still hooking on Locust Street, and Donna was always worried for her safety. Chuck felt bad, but told Donna that she cannot control Letty Jean or what she does and he wanted to treat Donna to a fun, happy evening. 

After he and Donna had dressed for dinner, he realized a couple important papers from the hospital were missing - he had had them earlier. He must've left them at Phoebe's mansion. Not wanting to bother a busy Phoebe & staff with a phone message, he decided to drive there before dinner, with Donna, to retrieve the papers. He suggested Donna wait in the car when they get to the mansion, and he'd make a quick grab for the papers, and then on to the Château...

Phoebe decided to have the DFL meeting on her outside terrace, and lemonade would be served. Phoebe spiked her tall glass with some vodka (Phoebe would drink a lot, and often would become tipsy or drunk).... the members arrived, with the porcelain statue, and the meeting commenced....

Chuck, who knew the meeting would be in progress outside, arrived and sprinted towards the library.... but he didn't see the papers on the floor, as expected (without thinking, he had placed them inside a book he had put back on the shelf). He panicked a bit and started looking inside every book.

Donna was getting antsy inside the car, especially worrying about Letty Jean (with a particular trick, known for violence, but he paid well)...Donna  exited the car, snuck inside the mansion to use the telephone to check on Letty.

Phoebe, who had snuck more vodka by excusing herself from the meeting (more than once, I think), was borderline drunk by this point, suggested the ladies go down to the garden to admire her lilac bushes, but not before moving the porcelain statue inside...

Donna, without seeing anyone in the living room, rung up the payphone at the bar Letty would frequent in Center City. She just wanted info - hoping to get it from whomever answered - that her friend is alright. By a lucky coincidence,  Letty answers the payphone!...

Donna: "Letty!!! Listen, I can't talk long, I'm calling from Mrs. Tyler's. I never expected you to answer! Are you okay?"

Letty, "Donna?! Can you speak up?! It's LOUD in here."

The DFL ladies return to the terrace,  with the French doors open,, hearing a telephone conversation unfold inside...

Donna: "YEAH! I WANTED TO CHECK UP ON̈ YOU ABOUT THE TRICK! DID YOU MAKE A LOT OF MONEY?"

Letty: "Yeah, I'm fine - and I did. I stole his wallet when he was taking a shower.

Donna: YOU STOLE HIS WALLET?!

The DFL ladies are flabbergasted,  clutching their pearls, but listen for more...

Letty: "Yeah, when he was in the shower...and I found dope in his pants pocket."

DONNA: "YOU FOUND DOPE IN HIS POCKET?! "

Letty: "Yeah...and I sold it to someone here at the bar; that's profit for me and no pimp!"

DONNA: "YOU SOLD THE DOPE AT THE BAR AND-..."

A furious,  inebriated Phoebe enters...

Phoebe: "THAT'S QUITE ENOUGH, you degenerate,  you trollop, you HARLOT! ! ! Why are you even here?! How dare you enter my wholesome home, speaking such deplorable garbage!!!! Why, I should have you arrested!

Donna is shocked!

Donna: "Mrs. Tyler! I'm sorry. I had an emergency! I needed to use the telephone!"

Phoebe: " I don't care! I  don't care! I want you out of my house - and out of my LIFE, you filthy STRUMPET!"

Phoebe then loses her footing, bumps into the table which the porcelain statue rests upon, and it, you guessed it, smashes to bits on the floor, just as Chuck walks in, with his found hospital papers.

Edited July 14, 2024 by Janet Marlowe

[DRW50]

@Janet Marlowe That sounds hilarious. 

It was such a fun surprise when AMC brought Letty Jean back for an episode or two in 1997. I can still hear David Canary saying, "Letty Jean."

[Janet Marlowe]

I don't think I saw those episodes.

I wish I had.

But there's this, too:

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[Janet Marlowe]

Oh, Anne.

Anne was Phoebe's daughter - they had different politics. 

Anne was chic (she had the best, on-trend wardrobe, rivalied only by Erica) and cosmopolitan, but became a sad, haunting  character after her daughter,  Elizabeth, "Beth", died.

Beth had Down Syndrome, I believe,  and was deaf.

Anne's husband was a member of the close-knit Martin Family - Paul Martin, an attorney. 

Paul wanted Anne to have an abortion after tests proved the child would be born with these severe handicaps.

While Anne was Pro-Choice, her choice was to give birth.

---

While the story was very well-acted, I didn't care for it because it was so depressing watching Anne's descent into madness (especially when she attempted suicide with pills).

Fortunately, the other stories going on at the time were lighter and fun.

The best Anne (Judith Barcroft):

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Edited July 15, 2024 by Janet Marlowe

[Khan]

That's the key: if you're going to tell a story that could be depressing to viewers, you have to surround it with lighter stories, or else viewers will get sick of all the heaviness and tune out.

[vetsoapfan]

That was a very enticing promo for AMC.

[DRW50]

It's probably one of the best soap promos I've seen - gets everything right to entice a new viewer. Makes me sad to think of how ABC later lost the plot.