Today in Soap Opera History (September 3)

1951: Search for Tomorrow premiered. 1984: Kathleen McKinnon
arrived on Another World. 1987: Kelly picked a wedding
date on Santa Barbara. 2010: Reid faced an oncoming
train on As the World Turns.

"To believe what has not occurred in history will not occur at all, is to argue disbelief in the dignity of man."
- Mahatma Gandhi

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1945: On radio soap Portia Faces Life, Portia (Lucille Wall) was confused at breakfast when Marie implied it was a "good" day.

1951: Roy Winsor's daytime soap opera Search for Tomorrow premiered on CBS. The show, which starred Mary Stuart for its entire 35 year run, ended on December 26, 1986. SFT aired on CBS until 1982 when it switched networks to NBC.



Check out Nelson Aspen's SFT Scrapbook for some wonderful old photos.

1981: On General Hospital, Jeff called Rick (Chris Robinson) from Nevada, which led to Rick and Lesley (Denise Alexander) discusses Rick's sexual needs and virginal Anne. Lesley and Rick grew closer but she didn't want them to reunite because each of them wanted a "bed partner."



Thanks to Tricia for sending in the clip above.

1982: On One Life to Live, Euphemia (Grayson Hall) was convinced Drew had been "seduced" by the Buchanans.



1984: Julie Osburn debuted as Kathleen McKinnon in Another World.



1986: On Santa Barbara, Eden (Marcy Walker) met Tori.



1988: On One Life to Live, Didi Buchanan O'Neill (Barbara Treutelaar) died.



1997: On Another World, Vicky (Jensen Buchanan) begged Shane (Robert Kelker-Kelly) to save Kirkland after Paulina (Judi Evans) hit him with her car.



1998: Actor William Joyce, who played Kellam Chandler on Days of our Lives from 1980-1981, died at age 67.

2010: On As the World Turns, on his way to Bay City to get a heart for Chris, Reid's (Eric Sheffer Stevens) car was trapped on the train tracks as a train quickly approached.



Celebrating a birthday today are:
Laurinda Barrett (ex-Bitsy, All My Children; ex-Karla, Guiding Light; ex-Rita, Where the Heart Is; ex-Edith, Lovers and Friends; ex-Edith, For Richer, For Poorer) - 83
Pauline Collins (ex-Sarah, Upstairs, Downstairs) - 74
Valerie Perrine (ex-Delores, As the World Turns) - 71
Shelley Taylor Morgan (ex-Lorena, General Hospital; ex-Angelica, Days of our Lives) - 63
Scott Glasgow (ex-Bob, All My Children) - 51
Trevor St. John (ex-Victor/Todd,One Life to Live) - 43
Ashley Jones (ex-Bridget, The Bold and the Beautiful; ex-Megan, The Young and the Restless; ex-Daphne, True Blood) - 37
Nick Wechsler (Jack, Revenge) - 36
Chris Fountain (ex-Tommy, Coronation Street; ex-Justin, Hollyoaks) - 27
Brianna Fischette (ex-Belle, Days of our Lives) - 21
Chalice Fischette (ex-Belle, Days of our Lives) - 21
Haley Evans (ex-Miranda, All My Children) - 10

Legendary As the World Turns actress Helen Wagner would have turned 96 today.

EDITOR'S NOTE: If you have a tip on a bit of soap history on this date or future dates, let us know. Send an email to kevin@welovesoaps.com