Today in Soap Opera History (May 1)

1969: Days of our Lives' Julie thanked Alice for her support.
1981: Dallas' Cliff found a dead woman in the Southfork pool.
1992: Robert Flack performed on Guiding Light.
2002: As the World Turns' Jake McKinnon died.

"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...

1937: Jackie Ormes, the first African American female cartoonist, created her earliest cartoon. It was an action, romance and soap opera comic featuring a Black heroine named Torchy Brown.

1939: Radio soap opera Los Jasmines Del '80 debuted in Argentina.

1968: On Dark Shadows, Joe ordered Willie to stay away from Maggie.

1969: On Days of our Lives, Alice Horton (Frances Reid) told her granddaughter, Julie (Susan Seaforth), that it's what we do after making a mistake that counts.

1972: Susan Sarandon debuted as Sarah Fairbanks in Search for Tomorrow.

Today in Soap Opera History (May 1)

1969: Days of our Lives' Julie thanked Alice for her support.
1981: Dallas' Cliff found a dead woman in the Southfork pool.
1992: Robert Flack performed on Guiding Light.
2002: As the World Turns' Jake McKinnon died.

"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...

1937: Jackie Ormes, the first African American female cartoonist, created her earliest cartoon. It was an action, romance and soap opera comic featuring a Black heroine named Torchy Brown.

1939: Radio soap opera Los Jasmines Del '80 debuted in Argentina.

1968: On Dark Shadows, Joe ordered Willie to stay away from Maggie.

1969: On Days of our Lives, Alice Horton (Frances Reid) told her granddaughter, Julie (Susan Seaforth), that it's what we do after making a mistake that counts.

1972: Susan Sarandon debuted as Sarah Fairbanks in Search for Tomorrow.

Today in Soap Opera History (May 1)

1969: Days of our Lives' Julie thanked Alice for her support.
1981: Dallas' Cliff found a dead woman in the Southfork pool.
1992: Robert Flack performed on Guiding Light.
2002: As the World Turns' Jake McKinnon died.

"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...

1937: Jackie Ormes, the first African American female cartoonist, created her earliest cartoon. It was an action, romance and soap opera comic featuring a Black heroine named Torchy Brown.

1939: Radio soap opera Los Jasmines Del '80 debuted in Argentina.

1968: On Dark Shadows, Joe ordered Willie to stay away from Maggie.

1969: On Days of our Lives, Alice Horton (Frances Reid) told her granddaughter, Julie (Susan Seaforth), that it's what we do after making a mistake that counts.

1972: Susan Sarandon debuted as Sarah Fairbanks in Search for Tomorrow.

Two Emmys Won by 'Another World' Legend Douglass Watson to be Auctioned on October 3

Douglass Watson won back-to-back Daytime Emmys in 1980 and 1981
for his work as Mac Cory on Another World.

In 2010, We Love Soaps brought together a panel of 15 past and present journalists to create a list of the 50 Greatest Soap Opera Actors of all-time. Another World star Douglass Watson came in at #7 on the list, and appeared at the top of more than one critic's list. Watson, who passed away on May 1, 1989 at age 68, won three Daytime Emmy Awards during his career, including two for his work as Mackenzie Cory on Another World. Watson's third Emmy was for his performance as the narrator in the daytime special Continuing Creation in 1978.

Watson's two Another World Emmy Awards are about to be auctioned off by JMW Auction Gallery in Kingston, New York. The Emmys were given to the auction house by Watson's daughter, and are part of an eclectic multi estate-auction taking place on October 3, 2015.

For more information on the auction, visit JMW's website at jmwauction.com.

FLASHBACK: 'Another World' The Story of Steven, Rachel & Alice (Part 23 of 23)

Mackenzie Cory (Douglass Watson) married Rachel
Davis Matthews Clark Frame (Victoria Wyndham) on
February 14, 1975. Ralph Camargo, Wyndam's real-life
father, played the minister.

ANOTHER WORLD: The Story of Steven, Rachel & Alice

The Soap Box
Vol. IV No. 8 August 1979
by Bryna Laub

(continued from Part 22)

Rachel hoped their marriage, carried off by elopement to New York, would put an end to Iris' machinations but instead it only increased her efforts. But these attacks, while temporarily hurting Mac and Rachel's happiness, ultimately came to nothing. For Mac knew that Iris couldn't believe that Rachel, as she herself had said just before their marriage, had married not a wealthy man but what she had always dreamed of, a man who really loved her as she was and to whom she could be a good wife.

Alice had known at the time of her reconciliation with Steven that Rachel was no longer a threat. After all, the last separation hadn't been out of fear of Rachel but because of Alice's decision to sacrifice her own happiness for Steven's. But Rachel's happy marriage to Mac and her realization that they could all share in Jamie's affections put the final ghosts to rest.

FLASHBACK: 'Another World' The Story of Steven, Rachel & Alice (Part 22)

Another World expanded to 60-minutes each weekday
on January 6, 1975.

ANOTHER WORLD: The Story of Steven, Rachel & Alice

The Soap Box
Vol. IV No. 8 August 1979
by Bryna Laub

(continued from Part 21)

With Russ sworn to secrecy, Alice's desire that Steven never know she was sacrificing her happiness for his would have been achieved had not Rachel been suffering increasingly-frequent dizzy spells. She arranged to see a doctor at Bay City Hospital and while she was waiting, she discovered the file placed before her on his desk was that of Mrs. Steven (Alice) Frame, not Mrs. Steven (Rachel) Frame. Finding the results of Alice's latest tests inside, Rachel managed to copy them and return them unnoticed.

Rachel then barged into the Matthews' home and confronted Alice with the documents. She demanded Alice divorce Steven immediately so he could return to her, a woman who had already given him a child and who could give him another. Either that or she would tell Steven and all of Bay City about Alice's inadequacies as a woman. Alice capitulated, desperately wanting only to keep the truth from Steven.

FLASHBACK: 'Another World' The Story of Steven, Rachel & Alice (Part 21)

Victoria Wyndham as Rachel Davis Matthews
Clark Frame on Another World.

ANOTHER WORLD: The Story of Steven, Rachel & Alice

The Soap Box
Vol. IV No. 8 August 1979
by Bryna Laub

(continued from Part 20)

In maximum security, Steven had no business privileges so he gave Alice power of attorney. He didn't realize her condition had deteriorated so badly that Tim, seeing a chance to further his own aims, concealed it from Steven. And as Alice continued to draw away from reality in an attempt to shut out the horrors of where Steven was, Tim managed to slip a transfer of the power of attorney into the routine papers she signed for him, putting him in complete control of Steven's personal stock holdings.

Ignoring Steven's explicit orders that she forget about the house, Rachel walked in on a deeply distraught Alice and informed her Steve had agreed she and Jamie should move back into the house. Rachel further wounded Alice by reminding her she and Steve were happy in this house where Steve had his only child with him. Alice, in growing horror, hysterically threw Rachel out.

Today in Soap Opera History (May 1)

1969: Days of our Lives' Julie thanked Alice for her support.
1981: Dallas' Cliff found a dead woman in the Southfork pool.
1992: Robert Flack performed on Guiding Light.
2002: As the World Turns' Jake McKinnon died.

"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...

1937: Jackie Ormes, the first African American female cartoonist, created her earliest cartoon. It was an action, romance and soap opera comic featuring a Black heroine named Torchy Brown.

1939: Radio soap opera Los Jasmines Del '80 debuted in Argentina.

1968: On Dark Shadows, Joe ordered Willie to stay away from Maggie.

1969: On Days of our Lives, Alice (Frances Reid) told Julie (Susan Seaforth) that it's what we do after making a mistake that counts.

Today in Soap Opera History (May 1)

"The whole past is the procession of the present."
- Thomas Carlyle

"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...

1937: Jackie Ormes, the first African American female cartoonist, created her earliest cartoon. It was an action, romance and soap opera comic featuring a Black heroine named Torchy Brown.

1939: Radio soap opera Los Jasmines Del '80 debuted in Argentina.

1968: On Dark Shadows, Joe ordered Willie to stay away from Maggie.

1969: On Days of our Lives, Alice (Frances Reid) told Julie (Susan Seaforth) that it's what we do after making a mistake that counts.

Today in Soap Opera History (May 1)

On this date in...

1937: Jackie Ormes, the first African American female cartoonist, created her earliest cartoon. It was an action, romance and soap opera comic featuring a Black heroine named Torchy Brown.

1939: Radio soap opera LOS JASMINES DEL '80 debuted in Argentina.

1968: On DARK SHADOWS, Joe ordered Willie to stay away from Maggie.

1969: On DAYS OF OUR LIVES, Alice (Frances Reid) told Julie (Susan Seaforth) that it's what we do after making a mistake that counts.

50 Greatest Soap Couples: #9 Mac & Rachel From ANOTHER WORLD

COUPLE: Mackenzie 'Mac' Cory & Rachel Davis Matthews Clark Frame
SHOW: ANOTHER WORLD
RANK: 9
PLAYED BY:
Mac: Douglass Watson
Rachel: Victoria Wyndham
YEARS: 1974-1989 (Mac and Rachel actually met off-screen in 1973 when Robert Emhardt was playing Mac.)

STORY:
In 1974 Rachel was a single mother who had been divorced three times, always trying to better her life and position in society.  Mac was the wealthy owner of Cory Publishing new to Bay City where his daughter, Iris, now lived.  Iris threw a party in honor of her "Daddy" and Rachel crashed.  Iris was having her thrown out when Mac came to Rachel's rescue.   Mac sent her flowers the next day and their romance began.   Mac formed a close bond with Rachel's son, Jamie, while Iris fumed over the relationship.  Rachel began to find new depths in herself now that she had unconditional love and support.  On Valentine's Day in 1975 Rachel and Mac were married.   As a wedding present Mac bought Rachel the mansion she used to walk by as a child and dream about living in.  They were never happy for long though especially with Iris interfering every chance she could.

CLASSIC CLIP: Mac & Rachel in ANOTHER WORLD

Rachel remembers Mac on ANOTHER WORLD during the show's 25th anniversary celebration for Victoria Wyndham (July 10, 1997). Wyndham took over the role of Rachel on July 21, 1972. Watch the clip below:

CLASSIC CLIPS: Mac & Rachel in ANOTHER WORLD 1978

Iris spent years trying to break up Mac and Rachel on ANOTHER WORLD. In 1978 it looked like she was getting her wish with the couple further apart then ever. Watch the clips below:

Today in Soap Opera History (May 1)

On this date in...

1937: Jackie Ormes, the first African American female cartoonist created her earliest cartoon. It was an action, romance, and soap opera comic featuring a Black heroine named Torchy Brown.

1939: Radio soap opera LOS JASMINES DEL '80 debuted in Argentina.

1968: On DARK SHADOWS, Joe ordered Willie to stay away from Maggie.

1972: Susan Sarandon debuted as Sarah Fairbanks on SEARCH FOR TOMORROW.

1973: The character of Mackenzie Cory debuted on ANOTHER WORLD.  Mac was played for the first year by Robert Emhardt and then by Douglass Watson (see below).

FLASHBACK: Erica Kane Goes To The Disco 1979 + AW Bonus

As a tribute to ALL MY CHILDREN's final weeks on ABC, we continue our series of daily Flashbacks today with a look at Erica and Mark at her discotheque.

The April 1979 issue of the monthly newsletter "The Soap Box" featured a fun photo of Erica Kane and Mark Dalton dancing away with the headline, "Soap Opera Fever! How to Catch It."

As a bonus, we're including a wonderful photo and story from ANOTHER WORLD that includes Harding Lemay, Paul Rauch, Victoria Wyndham and Douglass Watson.

CLASSIC CLIPS: Douglass Watson

Douglass Watson came in at #7 on the 50 Greatest Soap Actors of All Time list. Here are some classic clips of Watson's work on ANOTHER WORLD.

1976: Mac is angry with Iris but goes easy on her.
1979: Rachel lays down the law to Mac.

1979: Mac tells Rachel the world doesn't revolve around what she wants.
1979: Mac and Rachel prepare for Amanda's first birthday.

1980: Mac learns he is not the father of Rachel's baby.
1981: Rachel and Mac prepare for Christmas.

1981: Amanda visits Mac at the office.
1983: Rachel tells Mac she has her sight back.

1986: Mac presents Amanda, but not without a hitch.
1987: Rachel and Mac bask in the afterglow.

1987: Liz returns to Bay City for Thanksgiving and Mac gives one of his wonderful speeches.
1988: Mac reflects on Amanda's pregnancy.

1989: Iris confesses that she was "The Chief."
1989: Watson's final scene was Mac Cory.

FLASHBACK: Much Ado About Nothing 1973

In 1973, twenty million people saw the broadcast of this CBS-TV production of "Much Ado About Nothing," Shakespeare’s classic tale of romance, mistaken identity, and the battle of the sexes.

Though this turn-of-the-century version has Roosevelt’s Rough-Riders and bicycle riding suffragettes, the story is the same: Beatrice and Benedick fight their merry war of words; the evil Don Juan conspires to disrupt the wedding of Hero and Claudio; and it’s up to Dogbery to save the day. Critically acclaimed and loved by audiences, this rollicking comedy is brassy, bouncy and all-together entertaining.

First presented at the New York Shakespeare Festival, this production later became the first truly successful Shakespeare play in Broadway history that did not boast a major star. It features Sam Waterston, Kathleen Widdoes, Douglass Watson and Barnard Hughes.

Soap fans will recognize Widdoes as the long-running Emma Snyder on AS THE WORLD TURNS. Before joining ATWT, she played Una on RYAN'S HOPE. She began her soap career as ANOTHER WORLD's Rose Perrini, the mother of Ray Liotta's character, Joey.

On AW, Widdoes worked with the late, great Douglass Watson. Yes, despite only one "s" on the DVD cover (he used both spellings throughout his career), this is the same actor who played the beloved Mac Cory on ANOTHER WORLD for many years. Watson appeared in a number of soaps before his AW run. He was Lloyd on LOVE OF LIFE, Walter on SEARCH FOR TOMORROW and played the lead character, Robert, on CBC's MOMENT OF TRUTH.

If you want to watch two soap legends in actions, go check out this wonderful DVD.