Today in Soap Opera History (March 31)

"All true histories contain instruction; though, in some, the treasure may be hard to find, and when found, so trivial in quantity that the dry, shrivelled kernel scarcely compensates for the trouble of cracking the nut."
"History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into d ifferent and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer

"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...

1955: On Hawkins Falls, Dr. Floyd Corey (Maurice Copeland) dealt with fallout from the interview he gave to the local newspaper.

Today in Soap Opera History (January 26)

1968: The Doctors' Steve and Carolee bantered before intern night.
1990: GH's Frisco & Felicia were married for the second time.
2006: Days of our Lives' Tony was covered in blood.
2007: All My Children's Dixie ate poisoned pancakes.

"History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into different and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer

"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...

1967: Jordan Charney debuted on Another World as Sam Lucas, Ada's brother. Sam married Lahoma Vane (Ann Wedgeworth) in 1969 and the two of them moved to Another World spin-off Somerset in 1970.

1968: On The Doctors, Nurse Carolee Simpson (Carolee Campbell) and newly arrived Dr. Steve Aldrich (David O'Brien) bantered about Steve's evening plans with his fellow interns. The byplay between the two characters was the beginning of a soap superstar couple whose storyline would include marriage, children (his, hers & theirs), and every possible configuration of domestic drama. The couple was still together at the show's cancellation in 1982.

Today in Soap Opera History (September 29)

1969: Bright Promise premiered on NBC.
1978: The final episode of For Richer, For Poorer aired on NBC.
1986: Another World's Marley and Jake were married.
1989: Terry Lester debuted as Mason Capwell on Santa Barbara.

"The best prophet of the future is the past."
― Lord Byron

"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...

1947: Radio soap opera Claudia premiered. Due in large part to the success of the two Claudia movies, the D'Arcy advertising agency decided to bring the characters to radio in a five-a-week quarter-hour serial on behalf of its client, Coca-Cola. Kathryn Bard was cast as Claudia and Paul Crabtree as David, with Joe King announcing.

1969: Bright Promise premiered on NBC at 3:30 p.m. ET. NBC and Bing Crosby Productions in Hollywood came up with this daytime vehicle for Dana Andrews, created by Frank and Doris Hursley (creators of General Hospital) and directed originally by Gloria Monty (The Secret Storm, General Hospital). Andrews played Tom Boswell, president of Bancroft College, with support from Coleen Gray, Ivor Francis, Richard Eastham, Susan Brown and Paul Lukather. After Andrews left and the show changed format, the ratings rose but not enough, and the show ended on March 31, 1972

Today in Soap Opera History (September 28)

1962: Daytime soap operas The Brighter Day (CBS) and
Our Five Daughters (NBC) aired for the final time.
1981: General Hospital was featured on the cover of Newsweek.
1987: Delia had a courtoom fantasy on Ryan's Hope.

"The best prophet of the future is the past."
― Lord Byron

"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...

1962: CBS aired the final episode of daytime soap opera The Brighter Day. The show was created for NBC Radio by Irna Phillips in 1948. The television version premiered on January 4, 1954, and the episodes ran on both TV and radio for 2 years. The Brighter Day was originally set in Three Rivers until a move to New Hope in 1953.

1962: NBC aired the final episode of Our Five Daughters, a daytime soap which starred silent film icon Esther Ralston as Helen Lee, the mother of five young women including Jacqueline Courtney's Ann (pictured, upper right).

Susan Brown Dead at 86

Susan Brown, who is best known for her role as Dr. Gail Adamson Baldwin on General Hospital, died on August 31 after battling Alzheimer’s disease. She was 86.

General Hospital showrunner Frank Valentini took to Twitter to confirm her death saying, "It's a very sad day in Port Charles as the wonderful Susan Brown (“Gail Baldwin”) passed away today. My sincerest condolences to her family and to all who knew this amazing woman."

Brown was born in San Francisco and graduated from the University of Southern California. Her acting career launched in 1959 with the soap opera From The Roots, where she played Liz Fraser Allen. She went on to appear in numerous soaps including The Young Marrieds (as Ann Reynolds), Bright Promise (as Martha Ferguson), and Return to Peyton Place (as Constance MacKenzie).

She took on the role of Dr. Gail Adamson Baldwin in 1977. The character was Monica Webber's foster mother who married Lee Baldwin (played by Peter Hansen). It would only take two years before Brown received a Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress. She ended up leaving the General Hospital in 1985, popped up again from 1989-1990, then began recurring in 1992. She made her final appearance in 2004.

Today in Soap Opera History (March 31)

"All true histories contain instruction; though, in some, the treasure may be hard to find, and when found, so trivial in quantity that the dry, shrivelled kernel scarcely compensates for the trouble of cracking the nut."
― Anne Brontë in "Agnes Grey"

"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...

1955: On Hawkins Falls, Dr. Floyd Corey (Maurice Copeland) dealt with fallout from the interview he gave to the local newspaper.

Today in Soap Opera History (January 26)

1968: The Doctors' Steve and Carolee bantered before intern night.
1990: GH's Frisco & Felicia were married for the second time.
2006: Days of our Lives' Tony was covered in blood.
2007: All My Children's Dixie ate poisoned pancakes.

"Whoever wishes to foresee the future must consult the past; for human events ever resemble those of preceding times. This arises from the fact that they are produced by men who ever have been, and ever shall be, animated by the same passions, and thus they necessarily have the same results."
― Machiavelli

"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...

1967: Jordan Charney debuted on Another World as Sam Lucas, Ada's brother. Sam married Lahoma Vane (Ann Wedgeworth) in 1969 and the two of them moved to Another World spin-off Somerset in 1970.

1968: On The Doctors, Nurse Carolee Simpson (Carolee Campbell) and newly arrived Dr. Steve Aldrich (David O'Brien) bantered about Steve's evening plans with his fellow interns. The byplay between the two characters was the beginning of a soap superstar couple whose storyline would include marriage, children (his, hers & theirs), and every possible configuration of domestic drama. The couple was still together at the show's cancellation in 1982.

Today in Soap Opera History (September 29)

1969: Bright Promise premiered on NBC.
1978: The final episode of For Richer, For Poorer aired on NBC.
1986: Another World's Marley and Jake were married.
1989: Terry Lester debuted as Mason Capwell on Santa Barbara.

"History is a vast early warning system."
― Norman Cousins

"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...

1947: Radio soap opera Claudia premiered. Due in large part to the success of the two Claudia movies, the D'Arcy advertising agency decided to bring the characters to radio in a five-a-week quarter-hour serial on behalf of its client, Coca-Cola. Kathryn Bard was cast as Claudia and Paul Crabtree as David, with Joe King announcing.

1969: Bright Promise premiered on NBC at 3:30 p.m. ET. NBC and Bing Crosby Productions in Hollywood came up with this daytime vehicle for Dana Andrews, created by Frank and Doris Hursley (creators of General Hospital) and directed originally by Gloria Monty (The Secret Storm, General Hospital). Andrews played Tom Boswell, president of Bancroft College, with support from Coleen Gray, Ivor Francis, Richard Eastham, Susan Brown and Paul Lukather. After Andrews left and the show changed format, the ratings rose but not enough, and the show ended on March 31, 1972

Today in Soap Opera History (September 28)

1962: Daytime soap operas The Brighter Day (CBS) and
Our Five Daughters (NBC) aired for the final time.
1981: General Hospital was featured on the cover of Newsweek.
1987: Delia had a courtoom fantasy on Ryan's Hope.

"History is a vast early warning system."
― Norman Cousins

"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...

1962: CBS aired the final episode of daytime soap opera The Brighter Day. The show was created for NBC Radio by Irna Phillips in 1948. The television version premiered on January 4, 1954, and the episodes ran on both TV and radio for 2 years. The Brighter Day was originally set in Three Rivers until a move to New Hope in 1953.

1962: NBC aired the final episode of Our Five Daughters, a daytime soap which starred silent film icon Esther Ralston as Helen Lee, the mother of five young women including Jacqueline Courtney's Ann (pictured, upper right).

Today in Soap Opera History (March 31)

"All true histories contain instruction; though, in some, the treasure may be hard to find, and when found, so trivial in quantity that the dry, shrivelled kernel scarcely compensates for the trouble of cracking the nut."
― Anne Brontë in "Agnes Grey"

"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...

1955: On Hawkins Falls, Dr. Floyd Corey (Maurice Copeland) dealt with fallout from the interview he gave to the local newspaper.

Jean Rouverol Dead at 100

Jean Rouverol wrote for daytime soap operas Bright Promise, Guiding Light,
As the World Turns and Search for Tomorrow during her career.

Jean Rouverol, an actress and former soap opera writer blacklisted in Hollywood during the 1950s, died Friday, March 24 in a nursing home in Wingdale, New York. She was 100.

Rouverol and her husband, screenwriter Hugo Butler, fled to Mexico during the 1950s following a subpoena to appear before the House Committee on Un-American Activities. The couple had joined the American Communist Party during the 1940s.

While living in exile with their four children, the couple collaborated on screenplays using pseudonyms and fronts that were then sold to Hollywood studios. Films they wrote together included the 1956 Joan Crawford drama Autumn Leaves, credited to colleague Jack Jevne, and the 1963 film, Face in the Rain, directed by Irvin Kershner. While in Mexico the couple had two more children.

They returned to the U.S. in 1964. Following Butler’s death in 1968, Rouverol wrote for television.

Today in Soap Opera History (January 26)

1968: The Doctors' Steve and Carolee bantered before intern night.
1990: GH's Frisco & Felicia were married for the second time.
2006: Days of our Lives' Tony was covered in blood while a tiger
roamed free. 2007: All My Children's Dixie at poisoned pancakes.

"More and more, I tend to read history. I often find it more up to date than the daily newspapers."
― Joe Murray

"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...

1967: Jordan Charney debuted on Another World as Sam Lucas, Ada's brother. Sam married Lahoma Vane (Ann Wedgeworth) in 1969 and the two of them moved to Another World spin-off Somerset in 1970.

1968: On The Doctors, Nurse Carolee Simpson (Carolee Campbell) and newly arrived (12/67) Dr. Steve Aldrich (David O'Brien) bantered about Steve's evening plans with his fellow interns. The byplay between the two characters was the beginning of a soap superstar couple whose storyline would include marriage, children (his, hers & theirs), and every possible configuration of domestic drama. The couple was still together at the show's cancellation in 1982.

Today in Soap Opera History (September 29)

1969: Bright Promise premiered on NBC.
1978: The final episode of For Richer, For Poorer aired on NBC.
1986: Another World's Marley and Jake were married.
1989: Terry Lester debuted as Mason Capwell on Santa Barbara.

"More and more, I tend to read history. I often find it more up to date than the daily newspapers."
― Joe Murray

"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...

1947: Radio soap opera Claudia premiered. Due in large part to the success of the two Claudia movies, the D'Arcy advertising agency decided to bring the characters to radio in a five-a-week quarter-hour serial on behalf of its client, Coca-Cola. Kathryn Bard was cast as Claudia and Paul Crabtree as David, with Joe King announcing.

1969: Bright Promise premiered on NBC at 3:30 p.m. ET. NBC and Bing Crosby Productions in Hollywood came up with this daytime vehicle for Dana Andrews, created by Frank and Doris Hursley (creators of General Hospital) and directed originally by Gloria Monty (The Secret Storm, General Hospital). Andrews played Tom Boswell, president of Bancroft College, with support from Coleen Gray, Ivor Francis, Richard Eastham, Susan Brown and Paul Lukather. After Andrews left and the show changed format, the ratings rose but not enough, and the show ended on March 31, 1972

Today in Soap Opera History (September 28)

1962: Daytime soap operas The Brighter Day (CBS) and
Our Five Daughters (NBC) aired for the final time.  1981: General
Hospital was featured on the cover of Newsweek.
1987: Delia had a courtoom fantasy on Ryan's Hope.

"More and more, I tend to read history. I often find it more up to date than the daily newspapers."
― Joe Murray

"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...

1962: CBS aired the final episode of daytime soap opera The Brighter Day. The show was created for NBC Radio by Irna Phillips in 1948. The television version premiered on January 4, 1954, and the episodes ran on both TV and radio for 2 years. The Brighter Day was originally set in Three Rivers until a move to New Hope in 1953.

1962: NBC aired the final episode of Our Five Daughters, a daytime soap which starred silent film icon Esther Ralston as Helen Lee, the mother of five young women including Jacqueline Courtney's Ann (pictured, upper right).

Today in Soap Opera History (March 31)

"The present contains nothing more than the past, and what is found in the effect is already in the cause."
― Henri Louis Bergson

"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...

1955: On Hawkins Falls, Dr. Floyd Corey (Maurice Copeland) dealt with fallout from the interview he gave to the local newspaper.

Today in Soap Opera History (January 26)

1968: The Doctors' Steve and Carolee bantered before intern night.
1990: GH's Frisco & Felicia were married for the second time.
2006: Days of our Lives' Tony was covered in blood while a tiger
roamed free. 2007: All My Children's Dixie at poisoned pancakes

"The present contains nothing more than the past, and what is found in the effect is already in the cause."
― Henri Louis Bergson

"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...

1967: Jordan Charney debuted on Another World as Sam Lucas, Ada's brother. Sam married Lahoma Vane (Ann Wedgeworth) in 1969 and the two of them moved to Another World spin-off Somerset in 1970.

1968: On The Doctors, Nurse Carolee Simpson (Carolee Campbell) and newly arrived (12/67) Dr. Steve Aldrich (David O'Brien) bantered about Steve's evening plans with his fellow interns. The byplay between the two characters was the beginning of a soap superstar couple whose storyline would include marriage, children (his, hers & theirs), and every possible configuration of domestic drama. The couple was still together at the show's cancellation in 1982.

Today in Soap Opera History (September 29)

1969: Bright Promise premiered on NBC.
1978: The final episode of For Richer, For Poorer aired on NBC.
1986: Another World's Marley and Jake were married.
1989: Terry Lester debuted as Mason Capwell on Santa Barbara.

"History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again."
― Maya Angelou

"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...

1947: Radio soap opera Claudia premiered. Due in large part to the success of the two Claudia movies, the D'Arcy advertising agency decided to bring the characters to radio in a five-a-week quarter-hour serial on behalf of its client, Coca-Cola. Kathryn Bard was cast as Claudia and Paul Crabtree as David, with Joe King announcing.

1969: Bright Promise premiered on NBC at 3:30 p.m. ET. NBC and Bing Crosby Productions in Hollywood came up with this daytime vehicle for Dana Andrews, created by Frank and Doris Hursley (creators of General Hospital) and directed originally by Gloria Monty (The Secret Storm, General Hospital). Andrews played Tom Boswell, president of Bancroft College, with support from Coleen Gray, Ivor Francis, Richard Eastham, Susan Brown and Paul Lukather. After Andrews left and the show changed format, the ratings rose but not enough, and the show ended on March 31, 1972

Today in Soap Opera History (September 28)

1962: Daytime soap operas The Brighter Day (CBS) and
Our Five Daughters (NBC) aired for the final time.  1981: General
Hospital was featured on the cover of Newsweek.
1987: Delia had a courtoom fantasy on Ryan's Hope.

"History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again."
― Maya Angelou

"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...

1962: CBS aired the final episode of daytime soap opera The Brighter Day. The show was created for NBC Radio by Irna Phillips in 1948. The television version premiered on January 4, 1954, and the episodes ran on both TV and radio for 2 years. The Brighter Day was originally set in Three Rivers until a move to New Hope in 1953.

1962: NBC aired the final episode of Our Five Daughters, a daytime soap which starred silent film icon Esther Ralston as Helen Lee, the mother of five young women including Jacqueline Courtney's Ann (pictured, upper right).

FLASHBACK: A Complete, Concise Yearly History of TV Soap Operas - 1947 to 1977 (Part 6)

Dark Shadows starred Louis Edmonds and Joan Bennett as siblings
Roger Collins and Elizabeth Collins Stoddard.

A Complete, Concise Yearly History of TV Soap Operas

The Soap Box
Vol. III No. 10 September 1978
by John Genovese

(continued from Part 5)

1966
The final attempt at serial anthology to date was Confidential for Women, which stuck it out a few months on ABC. It involved week-long stories based on cases of co-narrator Dr. Theodore Isaac Rubin. Jane Wyatt was the key narrator.

On June 27, 1966, ABC instituted another fad. Fortunately, it was a long-running and commercially successful fad in daytime. It was Dark Shadows, created by Dan Curtis and produced by Robert Costello. The spooky, campy account of ghastly doings in the Collingwood mansion, it made stars out of Jonathan Frid, David Selby, Kate Jackson, Donna McKechnie and Roger Davis, and was graced by such "established" talents as Joan Bennett, Grayson Hall, Clarice Beckham, Anthony George and Jerry Lacy. It ended April 2, 1971, when it was decided the show ran its course.

Former 'Days of our Lives' and 'Bright Promise' Actress Coleen Gray Dead at 92

Coleen Gray

Actress Coleen Gray died Monday of natural causes at her home in Bel Air, longtime friend David Schecter told The Hollywood Reporter. She was 92.

She was born Doris Bernice Jensen on October 23, 1922, in Staplehurst, Nebraska. At age 7, she and her family moved to Hutchinson, Minnesota, and she studied drama at Hamline University in St. Paul.

With only $26 to her name, she took a Greyhound bus to Hollywood. She enrolled at USC and then drama school and starred in the play Brief Music. She was seen by an agent and signed with Fox, where she made her movie debut for the studio in State Fair (1945).

In 1949, Gray starred on Broadway in "Leaf and Bough" with Charlton Heston.