GH: Classic Thread

[Vee]

Seems neither Tom nor Meg are long for the show at this point.

I wonder how many mental health hiatuses Meg actually had in the last 3 years here - it seems like more than one and several breaks for Elizabeth MacRae.

[FrenchFan]

I think Paul Savior left in very early December 1972. It will be confirmed soon I guess.

Not sure about Meg. She died mid-1973. In the synopsis I have, she was still being treated by Lesley (Denise Alexander left DAYS in February 73 and joined GH in March) in April 1973 but was dead by September 1973.

Thanks @depboy for the fascinating work.

[AMCOLTLLover]

I’ve always wondered.. 

Who was/is the best heroine:

Laura Spencer or Hope Williams-Brady?

And who was/is the best Lead/Adventure Character:

Luke Spencer or Bo Brady?

I think Laura was the better character overall as a heroine compared to Hope and Bo was better in adventure storys and overall as a character compared to Luke tbh

[depboy]

Finishing 1972!

Friday, December 1, 1972: Henry accuses Sharon of gossiping about Tom and blames her for the rumors in the hospital.  Jessie finds a letter from a “friend of Teddy” asking to borrow $3,000 (Teddy wrote the letter to himself); Jessie insists on lending him the money; Teddy kisses Jessie.  Audrey confesses to Steve her fear that Tom may do something desperate; Mrs. Andrews, posing as Tom’s mother “Charlotte Smith”, and Tom posing as “David Smith”, leave with baby Tommy and head to Mexico.

Monday, December 4: Peter tells Phil that Diana took Tracy with her to Minneapolis to visit her mother, but he refuses to give her phone number to Phil.  Audrey comes home to discover Tom and the baby are missing; she finds a note saying Tom has taken Tommy away; Audrey collapses; we see Tom, Mrs. Andrews, and Tommy in a car, driving into the oncoming night.

Tuesday, December 5: A frantic Audrey calls Lee for help; Lee tells Audrey that Tom has committed no crimes in taking his own child and suggests she hire a private detective.  Meg is resentful of the conspiracy she senses when Mary arrives to sit with her on Lee’s request.

Wednesday, December 6: Lucille is staying with Audrey and only making things worse; a quiet and comforting Steve arrives, but Audrey cannot be consoled.  Jessie feels low and Teddy gives her a pinky ring as a gift; Carol sees it, is bitter, angry and jealous.

Thursday, December 7: Bill Bingham, a detective, comes looking for information about Tom and Sharon sends him to Phil, who is at a loss.  Diana returns home, and writes in her diary, swearing to face death with courage.  The detective tells Lee he has found no trace of Tom.

Friday, December 8: Carol remembers learning that Teddy gave Jessie a ring and tells Kent she wants to go back to Auburn; Jessie and Teddy suggest to the kids that they go skiing over Christmas.  Steve tells Peter the chances of finding Tom and the baby are slim and wonders what to tell Audrey; Peter suggests that persuading Audrey to return to work might make the waiting easier; Steve tells Audrey there is a little boy facing heart surgery who needs her.

Monday, December 11: Audrey comes back to work; Steve tries to comfort her.  Howie tells Jane his boss, Burt, has it in for him and he suspects it’s because of Brooke.  Steve tells Dr. Duncan Stuart, the surgeon who will operate on the boy Audrey’s caring for, that Audrey is on the case; Duncan promises to keep an eye on her.  Kent and Jessie separately confide in Teddy their worry over Carol; Jessie asks Teddy to be more attentive to Carol.

Tuesday, December 12: Steve tries to talk Diana into treatments and into telling Peter about her illness.  Audrey collapses in tears over the pediatric patient’s plight and Dr. Stuart sharply bawls her out.

Wednesday, December 13: Steve explains Audrey’s situation to Duncan, who agrees he was too harsh with her.  Teddy makes a pitch for Carol in accordance to Jessie’s request.  Diana writes about justifying her concealment of her disease for a while longer.

Thursday, December 14: Howie furiously complains that Burt has blamed him for another mistake that wasn’t his fault.  Meg and Lee discuss Mary, and Meg is determined that she will keep Mary on, if only to prove she is not jealous. Duncan apologizes for his harsh words, and Audrey finds him sympathetic.  We see Mrs. Andrews buying milk in a Mexican grocery store.

Friday, December 15: Phil overhears that Peter has to work late; Jessie brings a Christmas gift to Diana for Tracy and talks about Phil’s depressed mood.  Howie tells Jane and his mother that if Burt finds out he didn’t contribute to the boss’ office Christmas gift, Burt would get even with him.  Phil stops by Diana’s to leave a present for Tracy; Diana, out of pity, asks him to stay and talk; Phil becomes aroused and no longer impotent and rapes her.

Monday, December 18: Audrey and Duncan have dinner together and are seen by Steve; an interested Duncan offers to share some of Audrey’s waiting for her son.  A miserable Diana remembers Phil’s rape; Peter come home, finds her tense and trembling.

Tuesday, December 19: Pre-empted - Apollo 17 Splashdown.

Wednesday, December 20: Howie and Sharon work together to collect toys for the pediatrics playroom.  Phil surprises everyone by his relaxed nature.  Duncan’s surgery on Tony, the pediatric patient, is a success; he and Audrey share their relief.  Phil comes to apologize to Diana, but she chases him away, saying she never wants to see him again.

Thursday, December 21: Carol and Kent try on new ski clothes; when Teddy pays attention to Jessie, Carol pouts; Jessie urges Teddy to pay special attention to Carol on the trip.  Peter is surprised by Diana’s vehemence when she insists she doesn’t want Phil around Tracy at Christmas.

Friday, December 22: Henry is jealous when Sharon and Howie collect toys again.  Mary gets a letter from her father-in-law’s doctor and learns he is ill; she calls Lee to report she may have to be away for Christmas; while Mary and Lee say goodbye, Meg argues with herself.  Phil sympathizes with Audrey over the loss of her baby; Audrey learns that Duncan’s wife left him.

Monday, December 25:  Audrey asks Steve to tell the Christmas story to Tony; Steve tells the Christmas story to Tony and other hospital personnel.

Tuesday, December 26: Jessie falls and twists her knee while practicing on skis; Teddy insists on taking her to the hospital for X-rays; Jessie tells the kids they will still go on the trip, even if she has to stay in the lodge.  Meg is upset when Scotty tells her he gave her and Mary identical rings as gifts.

Wednesday, December 27: Audrey is terrified by a newspaper article about a car accident death of an unidentified man, child and older woman; Steve tells her he will find out more about it.

Thursday, December 28: Pre-empted - President Truman Funeral.

Friday, December 29: Lee calls Steve and tells him the people in the accident weren’t Tom and Tommy.  With Jessie resting upstairs, Teddy exerts his charms on Carol.  Phil calls Diana about seeing the baby, and she is impressed with his gentleness; when Peter comes home he and Diana make love.

[FrenchFan]

Thanks a lot ! I share the monthly recap for December 1972 made by Byrna Laub in her "Daytime Serial Newsletter". Dec. 72 was the 1st edition.

Tom Baldwin took his son Tommy and disappeared. Under assumed name David Smith, he went to Mexico. A heartbroken Audrey Hardy turned to her work for solace, placing her affections in young heart patient, Tony. Cardiologist Dr. Duncan Stewart tried to console her. He told her his wife divorced him taking their child away from him. Steve Hardy became aware of Dr. Stewart’s interest in Audrey.

Teddy Holmes conned Nurse Jessie Brewer into loaning him $3.000 and he was palling on much more. He convinced her to plan a skiing vacation with him and her niece Carol and nephew Kent. Carol disapproved of Jessie’s closeness to Teddy so Jessie asked him to pay attention to Carol. He was pleased that he could flirt with Carol with Jessie’s approval. Steve Hardy was worried about Teddy’s influence in Jessie’s family.

Diana Taylor was still refusing treatment for her Hodgekin’s Disease as she didn’t want Peter to know about it yet. Phil Brewer visited to bring Tracy a Christmas present. Telling Diana how hopeless his life was since he became impotent, he realized he was not and forced her to submit to him. Diana was terrified as she couldn’t bring herself to tell Peter what Phil did to her and was afraid she could become pregnant from this rape. Meanwhile, Phil’s personality had changed and everyone wondered why he was suddenly so friendly.

Meg Baldwin, attempting to repress her jealousy of Nurse Mary Briggs, was trying at the same time to find a way to get Mary out of her family’s lives. She was overjoyed to learn Mary would be away at Christmas, visiting her sick father-in-law. Lee Baldwin, Meg’s husband, saw Mary before she left and reaffirmed his love for her. Meg was deeply upset to learn her son, Scotty gave identical Christmas gifts to her and to Mary.

[depboy]

Thanks, FrenchFan!

I have summaries for 1973 and 1974, and part of 1975, but am unsure if posting would just be regurgitation of the information you've shared before.

If we deem it not necessary to post the remainder of what I have, then 1972 concludes my posts.  Thanks to all who read and I hope it helped shed some light on the early years of GH!

[FrenchFan]

Oh no, your daily synopis are way more detailled than the monthly recap in the newsletter. Don't hesitate keeping up ! especially as 1973 and 1974 are not complete years in what I shared. I don't have all the issues. I would love you to continue. I repost the monthly recap as a complement.

[soapfave06]

Thank you both for always sharing such treasures of information and yes, please continue sharing if you’re willing. 

[Paul Raven]

@depboy definitely would like you to continue!

[depboy]

 

 

Well!  I'm not one to disappoint.  I'll dig through 1973 and start posting this weekend!

[FrenchFan]

Thanks ! They are some treasures I love reading 

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[Contessa Donatella]

In https://www.digitaljournal.com/entertainment/sheri-anderson-thomas-talks-distinguished-career-in-daytime-tv/article/573258#ixzz8A9Dep0W0

Sheri Anderson says that it was the head of ABC Daytime who wanted the rape storyline done. 

This is news to me, first time I'm hearing it. 

[depboy]

January 1973!

Monday, January 1, 1973: Henry tells Jane that Sharon deliberately tried to make him jealous by going out with Howie to collect toys.  Phil invites Diana and Peter out to dinner to celebrate the new year.  Brooke stops by Burt’s office and he invites her on a “business” trip; Brooke says she can’t go and Burt suspects it’s because she’s still seeing Howie.  Diana refuses Phil’s invitation.  Henry punches Howie for spending so much time with Sharon.

Tuesday, January 2: Scott writes a letter to Mary expressing his love for her to Meg’s distress.  Peter comes home to find Diana miserable after a visit from Phil.

Wednesday, January 3: Henry apologizes to Jane for punching Howie.  Steve tells Duncan of Tom taking sleeping pills and arriving too late to care for his patient.  Meg suggests to Lee that they really don’t need Mary working for them any longer.  Audrey tells Duncan that she never really loved Tom and he is secretly relieved to hear it.  At the ski lodge, Teddy dances with Carol who is rapturous.

Thursday, January 4: Burt bawls Howie out for wasting time with Brooke.  Steve asks Lee to publish word of a thousand dollar reward for information on Tom and the baby.  Kent teases Carol about her new eyelashes; Carol reacts to Teddy’s charms.

Friday, January 5: Mary is back at work and a puzzled Jane and Lucille speculate about her marriage; Mary tells Lee she doesn’t want to stay nights with Scott anymore.  Diana tells Jane about the rape and Jane advises her to tell Peter at once.  Duncan reassures Audrey that Tom can’t stay hidden forever.

Monday, January 8: Mary tells Steve that her father-in-law is terminally ill and very worried about his son.  Phil reverts to his hostile self in a confrontation with Peter; Peter is bewildered.  Teddy continues to charm Carol.  When Mary tells Meg she won’t be staying, Scott persuades her to stay at least one more night.

Tuesday, January 9: Howie tells Brooke he is so mad at Burt he could kill him.  After a visit from Phil, Diana tells Peter she wishes they could leave town.  Steve suggests to Audrey that she get a quick divorce from Tom and marry him; Audrey says she can’t, for then she would never get Tommy back; in a Mexican shop, Mrs. Andrews buys a serape for Tommy.

Wednesday, January 10: Mary tells Meg and Lee that her father-in-law has died; Meg is uneasy to learn that Mary doesn’t plan on returning to her husband when he is released on parole.  Peter tells Phil that Diana has suggested they move away; Phil reacts violently.  

Thursday, January 11: Jessie returns to work; Teddy makes a playful play for Carol.  Mary tells Lee her husband’s release should make no difference in her lifestyle.

Friday, January 12: Lee reminds Jessie her divorce hearing is coming up.  Diana worries about Tracy’s relationship with Phil.  Teddy tells Jessie he loves her, but she protests saying she is too old for him.

Monday, January 15: Steve urges Diana to have treatment; she begs for a little more time.  The judge grants Jessie’s divorce; Teddy arrives to congratulate her and tells her he has a surprise for her.  Diana becomes upset when Phil arrives unannounced; after he leaves she begins to write in the diary, but leaves it open when Tracy cries; Peter arrives and finds the open book, and reads the page that says Diana has Hodgkin's disease.

Tuesday, January 16: Peter reacts to his discovery; he is distraught and concerned and insists to Diana that there is hope.  Teddy plans to carry Jessie off to celebrate the divorce; Steve returns from the divorce hearing to Lucille’s tirade about Phil; Steve answers he is now worried about Jessie’s relationship with Teddy.

Wednesday, January 17: Diana tells Jane she has Hodgkin’s disease; Peter angrily confronts Steve with his knowledge of Diana’s condition; they agree that a new biopsy is in order.  Howie and Brooke agree that they are fed up with Burt and his indignities.

Thursday, January 18: Phil discovers the order for Diana’s biopsy; Jane calls Diana to warn her; when Phil questions Diana about it, she refuses to tell him anything and they quarrel bitterly.

Friday, January 19: Peter persuades Diana to begin treatments tomorrow; Steve shows Peter the results of the biopsy – it is negative; Peter leaves happily to tell Diana.

Monday, January 22: Phil calls Diana, and she still refuses to tell him about the biopsy; Peter arrives with the news that the diagnosis was wrong and the biopsy was negative.  Teddy tells Jessie that love and happiness have nothing to do with age.

Tuesday, January 23: After much guessing, Sharon tells Henry she is pregnant.  Brooke agrees to see Burt Marshall on her break; she rebuffs his passes and turns him down for a date, angering him; Burt takes it out on Howie.  Duncan tries to make love to Audrey, but she tells him she is not ready.

Wednesday, January 24: Pre-empted - President Johnson’s Funeral

Thursday, January 25: Wade Collins, Mary’s father-in-law has left his money jointly to Mary and his son, provided they stay married; Mary tells Lee she can’t go back to Wade, Jr. no matter what is involved.  Phil confronts Diana, hysterically professing his love for her; when he learns the biopsy was negative, he is relieved and hoping for her affection.

Friday, January 26: Brooke tells Jane she feels sorry for Burt; Howie defends Brooke against his mother’s accusations that Brooke is not a “decent” girl; Burt prods Brooke until she finally relents and agrees to a date.  Phil tells himself that it’s Diana he needs; Peter and Diana decide to have a baby.

Monday, January 29: Sharon tells Al she’s pregnant.  Jessie tries to comfort Audrey by telling her that Tom may return some day; Lee shows Audrey a letter he received from Tom saying that he and Tommy are fine, but it is useless to try and find them.  Carol tells Kent she is fed up with Jessie’s involvement with Teddy.

Tuesday, January 30: Brooke tells Howie she is going to cut Burt off; Jane suggests that Howie quit, but he insists on finding a new job first.  

Wednesday, January 31: Jessie tries to have a heart to heart talk with Carol with little success until Carol asks for money; she is delighted when Jessie agrees; Carol will not confide her next move to Kent.

[MissPalmer]

WOW! Thank you for 1973

[Planet Soap]

Today marks 30 years since Sonny's debut. Did anyone guess in those moments that he would become the shows lead?