Today in Soap Opera History (March 1)

1954: A daytime TV version of ONE MAN'S FAMILY premiered.
1984: KL's Cathy screamed in terror as Gary was "murdered".
1988: John Ingle played GH's State Commissioner of Police.
1996: The final episode in which AW used its popular
"You Take Me Away To (Another World)" theme song.

"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...

1954: Daytime soap opera ONE MAN'S FAMILY premiered on NBC. The series began as a popular radio serial in 1932, created by Carlton E. Morse. The first TV version (November 4, 1949 - June 21, 1952) ran in prime time once a week for a half-hour, using the original 1932 storylines. The Daytime TV version of ONE MAN'S FAMILY ran until April 1, 1955. The series continued on the radio until April 24, 1959.

1978: On ONE LIFE TO LIVE, wayward wife Karen Wolek (Judith Light) was developing real feelings for her husband Larry (Michael Storm) and the couple made love.



Thanks to Scott for sending in the item above.

1979: Randall Edwards debuted as Delia Reid Ryan on RYAN'S HOPE.



Thanks to Jennifer for sending in the item above.

1984: On GUIDING LIGHT, Mindy (Krista Tesreau) worried she might be pregnant with Phillip's (Grant Aleksander) baby. Meanwhile, Bradley (James Rebhorn) called Alan (Christopher Bernau) from jail demanding Alan get him a lawyer.



1984: On KNOTS LANDING, Greg tried to get Gary (Ted Shackelford) to unfreeze his assets. Gary reported this to Mack (Kevin Dobson) who told him to keep the assets frozen, as it would force Wolfbridge's hand. Ray spied on Gary and Cathy (Lisa Hartman). Gary told Karen that if Abby cheated her, he would make it right. Val (Joan Van Ark) found out that the other two men with Ben were found dead. She wanted to go to El Salvador, but Karen said she would only be putting her babies at risk. Val was upset and called Gary, sobbing, who told her to come out to the ranch. Mack drove out to the ranch and was talking to Gary when a shot rang out. Mack called Karen and tells her that Gary has been murdered, just as Val pulled up.



1985: On DALLAS, Pam (Victoria Principal) and Sue Ellen (Linda Gray) continued looking for Mark in Hong Kong; Eddie tried to win back Lucy; J.R. completed his illegal sale; Jamie took the job with Cliff; and Donna's oil company had a big success.

1988: On GENERAL HOSPITAL, the State Commissioner of Police, played by John Ingle, arrived in Port Charles. Ingle returned to the soap in 1993 to replace David Lewis in the role of Edward Quartermaine.



1990: Michael T. Weiss aired for the final time as Mike Horton in DAYS OF OUR LIVES.

1990: On GENERAL HOSPITAL, Olivia (Tonja Walker) was abducted right before her trial starts.



1993: On THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS, Sheila (Kimberlin Brown) blackmailed Lauren (Tracey Bregman) to keep quiet.

1996: ANOTHER WORLD's "You Take Me Away To (Another World)" theme aired for the final time.  Jill Farren Phelps was executive producer of the show at the time.



Celebrating a birthday today are:
Robert Clary (ex-Robert, DAYS OF OUR LIVES) - 88
Jed Allan (ex-Harold, THE BAY; ex-Don, DAYS OF OUR LIVES; ex-C.C., SANTA BARBARA, ex-Edward, GENERAL HOSPITAL; ex-Ed, PORT CHARLES) - 79
Alan Thicke (ex-Donald, THE L.A. COMPLEX; ex-Rich, THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL) - 67
Andrew Masset (ex-Larry, DAYS OF OUR LIVES; ex-Harrison, ONE LIFE TO LIVE; ex-Trevor, GENERATIONS; ex-Frank, FALCON CREST; ex-Joseph, SANTA BARBARA) - 65
Richard Shoberg (ex-Tom, ALL MY CHILDREN; ex-Mitch, SOMERSET; ex-Kevin, THE EDGE OF NIGHT) - 66
Catherine Bach (Anita, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS) - 59
Tim Daly (ex-Pete, PRIVATE PRACTICE) - 58
Maurice Benard (Sonny, GENERAL HOSPITAL; ex-Nico, ALL MY CHILDREN) - 51
Bryan Batt (ex-Salvatore, MAD MEN) - 51
George Eads (ex-Nick, SAVANNAH) - 47
Jack Davenport (ex-Derek, SMASH; ex-Bruce, SWINGTOWN) - 41
Jensen Ackles (Dean, SUPERNATURAL; ex-Eric, DAYS OF OUR LIVES) - 36
Alicia Leigh Willis (ex-Courtney, GENERAL HOSPITAL; ex-Cindi, THE L WORD; ex-Allie, ANOTHER WORLD) - 36
Denise Vasi (Raquel, SINGLE LADIES; ex-Randi, ALL MY CHILDREN) - 31

EDITOR'S NOTE: If you would like to submit a piece of soap opera history for this daily column, please email it to [email protected].