Has anyone identified the earliest television soap opera to use orchestrated background music (rather than organ music)? I was very surprised to notice the 1951 episode of Hawkins Falls featured orchestrated background cues. And 1951 was pretty early for daytime television. Did any TV soaps use orchestrated music earlier than Hawkins Falls?

And another question -- did any radio soap operas use orchestrated background music? I'm assuming the answer will be no.

1 hour ago, Paul Raven said:

Is there a Hawkins Falls thread? Maybe years back. I think every show should have it's own thread. HF was long running in it's day.

A humorous look back at 1978.

Readers give own version of daytime Emmy awards By LYNDA HIRSCH TV/Radio Week July 23 1978

Now that the official daytime Emmys have been handed out, it’s time for us to bestow some awards in categories the TV Academy didn’t see fit to recognize, categories that were suggested by readers of this column. Now for your total enjoyment, we present the Daytime Column Readers Drama awards.

And remember what follows is the opinion of this column’s readers, not necessarily that of the columnist.

Drug Pusher of the Year — Denise Cavanaugh (played by Holland Tyler) on “Edge of Night.” Her supply of pain-killers makes its way into every tea cup in Monticello.

Can't Say a Line and Hold a Prop at the Same Time — “Edge of Night’s” Nicole Drake (Jayne Bentzen) wins this one. Seems the actress dropped the top of an ice bucket while stumbling over a line.

Nobody's Indispensable — “Ryan’s Hope,” for recasting the roles of Frank, Mary and Faith — within a few months of each other. But it’s not over yet. Mary Carney, who replaced Kate Mulgrew as Mary Ryan Fenelli, has recently left, and may have been replaced by the time you read this.

Most Fertile Town — Genoa City, the site of “Young and the Restless,” where every one night stand results in a pregnancy, including those stemming from the short-termed but fecund love affairs of Philip and Jill, and Lance and Les.

Smallest Electric Bill — “Young and Restless,” for having the darkest sets on television.

Medical Breakthrough of the Year — “Another World,” specifically to Pat Randolph (played by Beverly Penberthy) for having twins after a botched abortion had led to a hysterectomy.

Fountain of Youth — John Randolph, also of “Another World,” since he looks as young as his children. Although John lost a grown daughter nearly 10 years ago, before he fathered twins who are now over 21, John himself has hardly aged a day. Don’t you wish they bottled the secret?

Widowhood Is Bliss — “Search for Tomorrow.” In 27 years, Joanne Vincente has lost three husbands and one longtime boyfriend due to violent death. Her friends, John Wyatt and Stu Bergman, are widowers. Stu's daughter Janet is also thrice a widow. Jo’s recent admirers, Chris Miller and Greg Hartford, can consider themselves lucky to have left Henderson with their skins intact.

Best Brief Appearance in Established Role — Bernie Mclnenerny, who had the misfortune of stepping into a part created by matinee idol Farley Granger. Despite viewer rejection of bis portrayal, he gave a really fine performance as Will Vernon on “One Life to Live.” He deserves another shot at daytime stardom in amore appropriate role.

What a Difference a Day...or Year...Makes — “General Hospital. In one month, the part of Monica Webber has aged several years while Diana Taylor became younger by an equal number. Next year they may decide to bathe Audrey in their fountain of youth and Rachel Ames (Audrey) and Leslie Charleson (Monica) can simply switch roles.

Diana also gets the “Stella Dallas Mother of the Year” award, since no character in recent memory has consistently wanted motherhood more, while enjoying it less.

Don’t Take My Gusto Away Award— “Young and the Restless,” since more beer is consumed on that show than on any other. Where characters on some shows talk about their problems over a cup of coffee, these folks simply reach for a six pack. To compensate for this indulgence, they are fanatical about people not smoking.

Once again, thanks to all of you who responded. We must get together like this next year

I think there was a thread but if so it is locked.

Thanks for the article.

I'm confused about the Pat reference. She'd had her twins over a decade before 1978.

Michael M Ryan was a handsome man but he did NOT look the same age as his kids.

Thanks Paulraven

So much lost potential

28 minutes ago, DRW50 said:

I'm confused about the Pat reference. She'd had her twins over a decade before 1978.

Michael M Ryan was a handsome man but he did NOT look the same age as his kids.

First, I have never before read that Pat had a hysterectomy after her abortion. She was told by doctors, in vague terms, that she would not be able to bear children. But after corrective surgery around 1970, she did give birth to twins. Nothing particularly unbelievable about that.

And regarding Michael Ryan's youthful appearance on AW in the mid-1970s -- this may be an unexplained reference to John Randolph's deliberately aged appearance (with make-up and gray tinted hair) during most of the 1960s, when John was said to be significantly older than Pat, with a daughter (Lee Randolph) just slightly younger than Pat. Soon after Lee died, attempts to age Michael Ryan with make-up were halted, and all references to John being older than Pat were dropped. By the time the twins were born, John and Pat were played as contemporaries and the previous age difference was never mentioned again.

Edited yesterday at 01:42 AM1 day by Tisy-Lish

19 minutes ago, Tisy-Lish said:

And regarding Michael Ryan's youthful appearance on AW in the mid-1970s -- this may be an unexplained reference to John Randolph's deliberately aged appearance (with make-up and gray tinted hair) during most of the 1960s, when John was said to be significantly older than Pat, with a daughter (Lee Randolph) just slightly younger than Pat. Soon after Lee died, attempts to age Michael Ryan with make-up were halted, and all references to John being older than Pat were dropped. By the time the twins were born, John and Pat were played as contemporaries and the previous age difference was never mentioned again.

That would make sense when you say it. Puzzled me in the article.

TV Radio Week, January 21,1979

Whenever a new year begins, most people reflect on how they spent last year — and last year, we spent more than 2,500 hours watching soap operas. With those viewing hours under our eyelids, we feel that we have a right to hand out accolades for the best in daytime drama for 1978. In past columns, we have given awards for the very best and the very worst. Since we're still in the holiday spirit, today's mentions will be positive. When the joyous mood has worn off, we'll present the contrasting negative awards.

Cutest Baby Ever to Grace a Soap Opera Nursery: Hands down, the winner is the lass who plays Ryan Fenelli on "Ryan's Hope." That infant smiles when she's supposed to, gurgles on cue,, and even wails at the proper time. Several other little ones who appear on afternoon TV would do well to take baby lessons from her.

The Juvenile Actor Who Makes Us Wish We Were 10 Years Younger So We Could Date Him: John E. Dunn, "All My Children's" Tad Martin, wins this one. This actor manages to make his overly good character sparkling and likeable. And those brown eyes are incredible. If we can't.be 13 again, we wouldn't mind having a 13-year-old daughter who could date him.

The Man We'd Most Like to Have Comfort Us in a Crisis: Bob Hughes of "As the World Turns," as played by Don Hastings, takes this award. Here is a man who hands out the same "things-willbe-better-advice" everyone else does on daytime TV, but when he delivers the line, we believe it. Even when he is proven wrong, we believe him the next time he says it. The credit goes to the actor.

Most Realistic Portrayal of a Married Couple: Ray MacDonnell and Mary Fickett (Joe and Ruth, "All My Children") play a married couple like no other couple on afternoon TV — you believe they are married. They are able to argue, love and banter just like real folks. Credit here goes to both writers and actors.

Most Charming Villain: The nod here goes to Roger Thorpe of "Guiding Light," as played by Michael Zaslow. We know Roger is a scoundrel, but Zaslow is one of the few bad guys on television who are shaded gray.

Brotherly Love Award: This goes to William Mooney, who toils as Paul Martin on "All My Children." Since his soap opera wife Ann has been in a sanitarum, the actor has little to do. This is a shame, because the scenes he does are marvelous — especially when he starts to tease his brother Joe. It is comforting to see siblings goading each other and acting like real siblings.

Most Insecure Character: Thank the Lord for "Guiding Light's" Katie Parker, as played by Denise Pence. Those wonderful put-downs Katy aims at herself are terrific. What started as a minor role seems to be blossoming for the actress and the character. For us imperfect television viewers, it is nice to have a character voicing insecurities. Although Denise, with her looks, has nothing to be insecure about, her delivery makes it believable.

Best Actress to take over a Role and Make it Her Own: Jada Rowland takes this one. When she replaced Carolee Campbell on the "Doctors," it seemed strange. Now we find it hard to remember that anyone else ever played Carolee Aldrich.

Serenest Person Around: This award goes to Susan Brown for her portrayal of "General Hospital's" Gail Adamson. She allows the character to be calming without being boring — which is no mean trick. Many heroines on afternoon television simper from one problem to the next. This character has grace and style.

Actress Most Able to turn a Character Around: While we're stopping at "General Hospital," Leslie Charelson deserves a mention for winning in this category.Monica was truly a witch, but when Leslie joined the cast, Monica softened. She still doesn't always believe that right is right and that's it, but she's a charmng schemer and one we'd like to have in our corner.

Best Crier on the Airwaves: Judith Light, as Karen on "One Life to Live," has no rivals. She makes the tears flow on cue, but does it in such a touching way it doesn't grate. Some daytime criers are enough to warp the living room floor, but our girl Judy has just the right tear flow. We've had our turn.

It isn't everyday you see Tad Martin as being "overly good," lol.