Today in Soap Opera History (February 28)

Two legendary actresses died on this day in history:
Charita Bauer (1985) and Mary Stuart (2002).

"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...

1968: On Dark Shadows, Reverend Trask (Jerry Lacy) returned to his room with Victoria's belongings. Suddenly he heard chains rattling outside his room and called out, "Who is it?" He opened the door, but no one was there. He heard a woman's scream and ran back into his room and bolted the door, but he continued to hear the chains. Then Barnabas' voice called out to him, and again he shouted, "Who are you?" The voice told him that he was not going to hurt any more innocent victims. He would never live to see the hanging. Trask saw a skull instead of his face when he looked in the mirror and then blood dripped down the mirror from behind the frame. The voice shouted that she would live and he would die. Next he saw a floating hand with Barnabas' ring on it. The hand appeared and was about to grab Trask around the throat, but then vanished. The voice told him he would not die tonight or the next but very soon, "You are going to die!"

Today in Soap Opera History (February 3)

1950: Charita Bauer debuted as Guiding Light's new Bert.
1977: Ryan's Hope's Delia told Pat she was pregnant with his baby.
1986: Days of our Lives' Bo confessed to treason.
1987: Santa Barbara's Richard left a bomb with Cruz.

"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...

1950: Charita Bauer assumed the role of Bert Bauer on The Guiding Light radio program (Ann Shepard was the original radio Bert). She would continue to play the character as the show premiered on television two years later and until December 1984, just before her death. More on Charita Bauer here.

1967: On Another World, Lenore (Judith Barcroft) declined to consider it when Helen suggested she and Bill wait until to marry so Bill can get over his butterflies.

1975: On The Doctors, once he found out how disappointed Toni Ferra (Anna Stuart) was about waiting to meet his mother, Dr. Alan Stewart (Gil Gerard) agreed to go to Hawaii for their honeymoon.

Today in Soap Opera History (February 28)

Two legendary actresses died on this day in history:
Charita Bauer (1985) and Mary Stuart (2002).

"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...

1968: On Dark Shadows, Reverend Trask (Jerry Lacy) returned to his room with Victoria's belongings. Suddenly he heard chains rattling outside his room and called out, "Who is it?" He opened the door, but no one was there. He heard a woman's scream and ran back into his room and bolted the door, but he continued to hear the chains. Then Barnabas' voice called out to him, and again he shouted, "Who are you?" The voice told him that he was not going to hurt any more innocent victims. He would never live to see the hanging. Trask saw a skull instead of his face when he looked in the mirror and then blood dripped down the mirror from behind the frame. The voice shouted that she would live and he would die. Next he saw a floating hand with Barnabas' ring on it. The hand appeared and was about to grab Trask around the throat, but then vanished. The voice told him he would not die tonight or the next but very soon, "You are going to die!"

Today in Soap Opera History (February 3)

1950: Charita Bauer debuted as Guiding Light's new Bert.
1977: Ryan's Hope's Delia told Pat she was pregnant with his baby.
1986: Days of our Lives' Bo confessed to treason.
1987: Santa Barbara's Richard left a bomb with Cruz.

"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...

1950: Charita Bauer assumed the role of Bert Bauer on The Guiding Light radio program (Ann Shepard was the original radio Bert). She would continue to play the character as the show premiered on television two years later and until December 1984, just before her death. More on Charita Bauer here.

1967: On Another World, Lenore (Judith Barcroft) declined to consider it when Helen suggested she and Bill wait until to marry so Bill can get over his butterflies.

1975: On The Doctors, once he found out how disappointed Toni Ferra (Anna Stuart) was about waiting to meet his mother, Dr. Alan Stewart (Gil Gerard) agreed to go to Hawaii for their honeymoon.

Today in Soap Opera History (February 28)

Two legendary actresses died on this day in history:
Charita Bauer (1985) and Mary Stuart (2002).

"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...

1968: On Dark Shadows, Reverend Trask (Jerry Lacy) returned to his room with Victoria's belongings. Suddenly he heard chains rattling outside his room and called out, "Who is it?" He opened the door, but no one was there. He heard a woman's scream and ran back into his room and bolted the door, but he continued to hear the chains. Then Barnabas' voice called out to him, and again he shouted, "Who are you?" The voice told him that he was not going to hurt any more innocent victims. He would never live to see the hanging. Trask saw a skull instead of his face when he looked in the mirror and then blood dripped down the mirror from behind the frame. The voice shouted that she would live and he would die. Next he saw a floating hand with Barnabas' ring on it. The hand appeared and was about to grab Trask around the throat, but then vanished. The voice told him he would not die tonight or the next but very soon, "You are going to die!"

Today in Soap Opera History (February 3)

1950: Charita Bauer debuted as Guiding Light's new Bert.
1977: Ryan's Hope's Delia told Pat she was pregnant with his baby.
1986: Days of our Lives' Bo confessed to treason.
1987: Santa Barbara's Richard left a bomb with Cruz.

"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...

1950: Charita Bauer assumed the role of Bert Bauer on The Guiding Light radio program (Ann Shepard was the original radio Bert). She would continue to play the character as the show premiered on television two years later and until December 1984, just before her death. More on Charita Bauer here.

1967: On Another World, Lenore (Judith Barcroft) declined to consider it when Helen suggested she and Bill wait until to marry so Bill can get over his butterflies.

1977: On Ryan's Hope, Delia (Ilene Kristen) told a stunned Pat (Malcolm Groome) that she was pregnant with his child. Pat tried to deny it, claiming Roger (Ron Hale) was the father.

Today in Soap Opera History (February 28)

Two legendary actresses died on this day in history:
Charita Bauer (1985) and Mary Stuart (2002).

"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...

1968: On Dark Shadows, Reverend Trask (Jerry Lacy) returned to his room with Victoria's belongings. Suddenly he heard chains rattling outside his room and called out, "Who is it?" He opened the door, but no one was there. He heard a woman's scream and ran back into his room and bolted the door, but he continued to hear the chains. Then Barnabas' voice called out to him, and again he shouted, "Who are you?" The voice told him that he was not going to hurt any more innocent victims. He would never live to see the hanging. Trask saw a skull instead of his face when he looked in the mirror and then blood dripped down the mirror from behind the frame. The voice shouted that she would live and he would die. Next he saw a floating hand with Barnabas' ring on it. The hand appeared and was about to grab Trask around the throat, but then vanished. The voice told him he would not die tonight or the next but very soon, "You are going to die!"

Today in Soap Opera History (February 3)

1950: Charita Bauer debuted as Guiding Light's new Bert.
1977: Ryan's Hope's Delia told Pat she was pregnant with his baby.
1986: Days of our Lives' Bo confessed to treason.
1987: Santa Barbara's Richard left a bomb with Cruz.

"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...

1950: Charita Bauer assumed the role of Bert Bauer on The Guiding Light radio program (Ann Shepard was the original radio Bert). She would continue to play the character as the show premiered on television two years later and until December 1984, just before her death. More on Charita Bauer here.

1967: On Another World, Lenore (Judith Barcroft) declined to consider it when Helen suggested she and Bill wait until to marry so Bill can get over his butterflies.

1977: On Ryan's Hope, Delia (Ilene Kristen) told a stunned Pat (Malcolm Groome) that she was pregnant with his child. Pat tried to deny it, claiming Roger (Ron Hale) was the father.

Today in Soap Opera History (February 28)

Two legendary actresses died on this day in history:
Charita Bauer (1985) and Mary Stuart (2002).

"Mankind are so much the same, in all times and places, that history informs us of nothing new or strange in this particular. Its chief use is only to discover the constant and universal principles of human nature."
― David Hume

"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...

1968: On Dark Shadows, Reverend Trask (Jerry Lacy) returned to his room with Victoria's belongings. Suddenly he heard chains rattling outside his room and called out, "Who is it?" He opened the door, but no one was there. He heard a woman's scream and ran back into his room and bolted the door, but he continued to hear the chains. Then Barnabas' voice called out to him, and again he shouted, "Who are you?" The voice told him that he was not going to hurt any more innocent victims. He would never live to see the hanging. Trask saw a skull instead of his face when he looked in the mirror and then blood dripped down the mirror from behind the frame. The voice shouted that she would live and he would die. Next he saw a floating hand with Barnabas' ring on it. The hand appeared and was about to grab Trask around the throat, but then vanished. The voice told him he would not die tonight or the next but very soon, "You are going to die!"

Today in Soap Opera History (February 3)

1950: Charita Bauer debuted as Guiding Light's new Bert.
1977: Ryan's Hope's Delia told Pat she was pregnant with his baby.
1986: Days of our Lives' Bo confessed to treason.
1987: Santa Barbara's Richard left a bomb with Cruz.

"A page of history is worth a pound of logic."
― Oliver Wendell Holmes

"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...

1950: Charita Bauer assumed the role of Bert Bauer on The Guiding Light radio program (Ann Shepard was the original radio Bert). She would continue to play the character as the show premiered on television two years later and until December 1984, just before her death. More on Charita Bauer here.

1967: On Another World, Lenore (Judith Barcroft) declined to consider it when Helen suggested she and Bill wait until to marry so Bill can get over his butterflies.

1977: On Ryan's Hope, Delia (Ilene Kristen) told a stunned Pat (Malcolm Groome) that she was pregnant with his child. Pat tried to deny it, claiming Roger (Ron Hale) was the father.

Today in Soap Opera History (February 28)

Two legendary actresses died on this day in Soap Opera History:
Charita Bauer (1985) and Mary Stuart (2002).

"There is no present or future, only the past happening over and over again - now."
- Eugene O'Neill

"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...

1968: On DARK SHADOWS, Trask returned to his room with Victoria's belongings. Suddenly he heard chains rattling outside his room and called out, "Who is it?" He opened the door, but no one was there. He heard a woman's scream and ran back into his room and bolted the door, but he continued to hear the chains. Then Barnabas' voice called out to him, and again he shouted, "Who are you?" The voice told him that he was not going to hurt any more innocent victims. He would never live to see the hanging. Trask saw a skull instead of his face when he looked in the mirror and then blood dripped down the mirror from behind the frame. The voice shouted that she would live and he would die. Next he saw a floating hand with Barnabas' ring on it. The hand appeared and was about to grab Trask around the throat, but then vanished. The voice told him he would not die tonight or the next but very soon, "You are going to die!"

Today in Soap Opera History (February 3)

THE GUIDING LIGHT's Charita Bauer debuted
as Bert Bauer on the radio version of the soap.

"Maybe if people started to listen, history would stop repeating itself."
- Lily Tomlin

"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...

1950: Charita Bauer assumed the role of Bert Bauer on THE GUIDING LIGHT radio program (Ann Shepard was the original radio Bert). She would continue to play the character as the show premiered on television two years later and until December 1984, just before her death. More on Charita Bauer here.

1967: On ANOTHER WORLD, Lenore (Judith Barcroft) declined to consider it when Helen suggested she and Bill wait until to marry so Bill can get over his butterflies.

1992: On GUIDING LIGHT, Fletcher (Jay Hammer) saved Vanessa (Maeve Kinkead) before Jack Kiley could rape her.

1992: On THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS, Victor (Eric Braeden) reminisced about Nikki (Melody Thomas Scott), and a tearful Drucilla (Victoria Rowell) returns to ask Madame Chauvin (Mary Anne McGarry) for help.

FLASHBACK: Irna Phillips Mends with Tradition (1972)

"Writing On: Irna Phillips Mends with Tradition"
Broadcasting
November 6, 1972

It's safe to say that among soap-opera script writers, 71-year-old Ima Phillips is the grandmother of them all. Her career goes back to a 1930 radio serial out of WGN Chicago entitled PAINTED DREAMS, and it comes up to today. She is the head writer on CBS-TV's long-running AS THE WORLD TURNS.

Today's soap operas, however, turn Irna Philips off. "The daytime serial is destroying itself, eating itself up with rape,abortion, illegitimacy, men falling in love with other men's wives --all of which is often topped by a murder, followed by a long, drawn-out murder trial," she says.

She's very critical of what she calls "this trend toward sheer escapism," although she acknowledges that the public seems to be buying it. "Nevertheless," she says, "I feel my obligation to the viewing audience is to write constructively.

Today in Soap Opera History (February 3)

On this date in...

1950: Charita Bauer assumed the role of Bert Bauer on THE GUIDING LIGHT radio program (Ann Shepard was the original radio Bert). She would continue to play the character as the show premiered on television two years later and until December 1984, just before her death. More on Charita Bauer here.

1967: On ANOTHER WORLD, Lenore (Judith Barcroft) declined to consider it when Helen suggested she and Bill wait until to marry so Bill can get over his butterflies.

1992: On GUIDING LIGHT, Fletcher saved Vanessa before Jack Kiley could rape her.

1992: On THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS, Victor reminisced about Nikki, and a tearful Drucilla returns to ask Madame Chauvin for help.

Today in Soap Opera History (December 20)

Charita Bauer on the set of GUIDING LIGHT five days
before her 59th birthday in 1981.

On this date in...

1922: Charita Bauer was born. The actress, who portrayed GUIDING LIGHT's beloved Bert Bauer, died in February 1985 at age 62.

1957: On THE EDGE OF NIGHT, Bebe came back home and told Martin how much she loved him.

1972: On ANOTHER WORLD, in New York City, Dennis (Mike Hammett) and his live-in nurse Alice (Jacqueline Courtney), using the alias Alice Talbot, talked about how much they missed their mothers as she sat by his bed while he fell asleep.

1982: ON THE DOCTORS, Jean Marc (Jean LeClerc) wondered if Althea (Elizabeth Hubbard) trusted him.

EXCLUSIVE: SoapClassics Releases New GUIDING LIGHT DVD - The Bauer Family Story

SoapClassics today has released a brand new, 11-episode GUIDING LIGHT DVD: The Bauer Family Story.

The Bauer family first appeared on the 15-minute radio version of THE GUIDING LIGHT in 1948. The family moved with the show to television in 1952 (also continuing on radio until 1956). They remained central as the show moved its setting to Springfield, expanded to 30 minutes and then 60, and from black and white to color. This collection covers a span of episodes from 1973 to 2009.

The episodes are divided into two discs:
* Disc 1, “Meet the Bauers”, features six pivotal episodes in the history of the family, including a rare “bonus” episode from 1973.
* Disc Two, “Bauer Barbecues” contains five of the family’s traditional Independence Day gatherings (the Barbecues are one of the top requests from GL fans).

Below is a summary of the episodes on the new DVD:

FLASHBACK: The Cradle Will Fall - 'Guiding Light' Movie (Watch Entire 1983 Film)

'CRADLE' A BRIGHT SPOT FOR 'GUIDING LIGHT' FANS

by Dave Bittan
Philadelphia Daily News
May 24, 1983

Charita Bauer, in her 34th year in the cast of GUIDING LIGHT, is grateful that she has been able to survive for so many years in the long- running afternoon CBS soap opera (weekdays at 3 p.m. on Channel 10).

"It feels good to have a steady job," she says. "I don't have to work in Macy's or drive a taxi. To make a living in your own profession is always nice. I'll continue in my role until they throw me out, or the show goes off."

In 1950, Charita Bauer joined the cast of the radio serial as, coincidentally, a character named Bert Bauer. (The show made its debut on radio in 1937 and switched to TV in 1952.) She is the only cast member who has been with the TV version since its inception.

Although Bauer made her Broadway debut as a child actress in 1933, her appearance in tonight's The Cradle Will Fall (Channel 10 at 9), is her first film role.

Today in Soap Opera History (February 3)

On this date in...

1950: Charita Bauer assumed the role of Bert Bauer on THE GUIDING LIGHT radio program (Ann Shepard was the original radio Bert). She would continue to play the character as the show premiered on television two years later and until December 1984, just before her death. More on Charita Bauer here.

1967: On ANOTHER WORLD, Lenore (Judith Barcroft) declined to consider it when Helen suggested she and Bill wait until to marry so Bill can get over his butterflies.

1992: On GUIDING LIGHT, Fletcher saved Vanessa before Jack Kiley could rape her.

1992: On THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS, Victor reminisced about Nikki, and a tearful Drucilla returns to ask Madame Chauvin for help.

CLASSIC CLIPS: Charita Bauer

Charita Bauer came in at #22 on the 50 Greatest Soap Actresses of All Time list. Here are some classic clips of Bauer including her work on GUIDING LIGHT.

1952: Bert complains to Papa that Bill always things she is wrong and Meta is right.
1953: Bert grouses to Papa Bauer about the effects of Kathy and Meta's actions on the family.

1963: Bert, Papa and Meta wait for news from Bruce about Julie's condition.
1966: Bill tells Bert they have a marriage certificate but not a home.

1979: Bert tries to stop Roger from following Holly.
1980: Bert, Rita, and Steve open their booth at the carnival.

1984: Bert, waiting for her prosthetic leg, doesn't want Ed and Mike to hover over her.
1984: Phillip and Bert have a talk while she is in the hospital.

1987: Ed Bryce introduces a tribute to Charita Bauer during GL's 50th anniversary week (Kassie DePaiva's "Don't Stop Dreaming" is played)
1992: Ruby Dee introduces a tribute to Charita Bauer during GL's 40th TV anniversary special.

FLASHBACK: Charita Bauer 1937

Little Stars of Screen, Stage, Radio, Shine in Classroom (excerpt)

Lewiston Daily Sun
September 7, 1937

The Royalty of American Childhood are those young stars who appear on screen and stage and radio programs to the delight and admiration of other children and grown folks even more.

Few children, but many parents, often pause to wonder about their schooling, conscious these little stars have work to do, the kind of work done by much older folks who have long since gone beyond classroom work.

Over in the realm of stage plays and radio productions there is a little girl by the name of Charita Bauer whose acting in the play "The Women" a Broadway success, has been one of the delights of the theatrical year.

Her part in the play requires Charita to be in the theatre every afternoon and every evening, and in addition, she must rehearse for her frequent appearances on the radio program SINGING LADY as well as take time out to appear on that program.

Charita goes to school - she goes to the Professional Children's School in New York City, a school under the supervision of the New York State Board of Education with an ironclad rule that if the child's professional life makes her miss a class, the lessons taken up at that class must be sent in in written form.