Early Soap Episodes

[Skylover]

Hi

 

I was wondering if much exists of early radio and/or TV soap operas from the 30s/40s/50s?

[dc11786]

There are episodes here and there of the early television soaps, but nothing in terms of long strings of episodes. I think the closest may be a series of episodes from "Hawkins Falls," a forgotten series that aired for several years on NBC. There are definitely episodes of "Love of Life," "Search for Tomorrow," "The Secret Storm," and "Valiant Lady" on youtube unless there has been a recent purge. 

 

On the "Guiding Light" thread, I mentioned the Old Time Radio Researcher's Library. They have a bunch of episodes. I also think there is about a year's worth of "Lover's Lane" on youtube. There is a radio soap thread on here somewhere. @DRW50 usually is good about contributing information there. 

 

I believe you are from Australia, correct? They have been releasing radio soap operas that were produced by Grace Gibson Productions for the past several years. I'm hoping they will release the Australian version of "Guiding Light" that they produced for several years. I would love to see how that show deviated from the original source material. 

[vetsoapfan]

 

 Many episodes of The Guiding Light's radio years exist. The earliest one I have is from 1940, and there is a long string of consecutive episodes from 1950, available on MP3 CDs. Do a google search and you'll find a plethora of old-time radio soaps.

 

 

Several episodes are on youtube and floating around among collectors of DAYS' first few years. There are many eps of SFT and TGL from 1966, which are in chronological order. The more one searches the web for stuff, the more you find.

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[Paul Raven]

It's interesting that there are odd episodes around from the 50's and 60's of various shows but nothing from early to mid 70's.

There's TGL from 73 and ATWT from 72, some AMC but that's about it.

[j swift]

I'm listening to the excellent podcast "A Trip Down Soap Lane" and he is currently reviewing the history of Days of Our Lives  The podcast contains audio clips from the early 1960's that he credits from some legacy type resource.  I would be eager to investigate it, but I recommend the podcast for anyone interested in soap history.  It is well produced and researched, also the host is very charming.

[dc11786]

The original poster specifically mentioned the 30s / 40s / 50s. If we are including the 1960s, then there are long stretches of "The Doctors," "Dark Shadows," and "Strange Paradise." There may be others. 

[YRfan23]

That’s why I think 73-79 Y&R is all online somewhere but we just haven’t found the right website where those videos are collecting dust 😁😁😁 I’m probably delusional...lol

[Skylover]

 

Cool thanks.

 

 

UK. I didn't know Australia did their own version of GL!

 

 

Is there anything of Days 60s episodes left floating around?

 

 

Thanks I'll take a look.

 

 

Thanks.