SOAP OPERA WRITER TURNS TO NOVELS: AMC Alum Writes About The Cloning of Jesus

With the changing landscape of daytime dramas, Wisner Washam, long time head writer of ALL MY CHILDREN, has turned to novels. He has published a controversial novel, "The Cloning," based on the premise that ancient DNA can be used to clone the original donor. In this case, fragmentary DNA is discovered on the famous Shroud of Turin by a young American scientist who believes that he may be replicating Jesus of Nazareth.

He is given access to the sacred relic by a new forward-thinking Pope, a twenty-first century product who has recently been elected to the Throne of Peter. The young scientist has no interest in the spiritual aspects of his assignment, but he must find a suitable womb in which to gestate the baby, and the choice of a female becomes a hotly contested international battle. The winner happens to be a pretty, young, rebellious Hispanic girl, daughter of a banana republic dictator, who has as little interest in religion as the scientist himself.

FLASHBACK: Judith Barcroft & Husband - ALL MY CHILDREN's Star Couple 1976

As a tribute to ALL MY CHILDREN's final days on ABC, we continue our series of daily Flashbacks today with features on Judith Barcroft (Ann) and behind the scenes at the soap.

In the Daytime TV Super Special magazine (Issue No. 4) from 1976, a feature on Judith Barcroft and her AMC writer husband Wisner Washam, "Judith Barcroft & Husband ALL MY CHILDREN's Star Couple" was featured.

There was also a two-page behind the scenes feature on the show as well.

FLASHBACK: AMC's Ann & Paul - Their Love Overcame All Obstacle (1976)

As a tribute to ALL MY CHILDREN's final weeks on ABC, we continue our series of daily Flashbacks today with a feature on AMC's Paul and Ann (William Mooney and Judith Barcroft).

In 1976 a Daytime TV "Super Special" included a two-page feature on Ann and Paul titled "Their Love Overcame All Obstacle" and included a nice full-page color glossy photo which was common for the time.

Were you a fan of Paul and Ann?

We hope you enjoy and come back daily for a new AMC classic article.

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WLS Interview Archive: Judith Barcroft

Judith Barcroft, an actress best known for her roles as Lenore Curtain on ANOTHER WORLD and Anne Tyler on ALL MY CHILDREN, recently appeared on the We Love Soaps critics panel's 50 Greatest Soap Actresses honorable mention list. After leaving ALL MY CHILDREN, Barcroft went on to roles on other soaps including THE EDGE OF NIGHT, AS THE WORLD TURNS and RYAN'S HOPE. She also substituted for two popular actresses in famous roles (Susan on AS THE WORLD TURNS and Viki/Niki on ONE LIFE TO LIVE).

In this exclusive two-part interview, the actress takes a look back on her long and successful career and catches us up on what she's doing now.

Catching Up With Judith Barcroft, Part 1 of 2

We Love Soaps recently had the chance to speak with Judith Barcroft, an actress best known for her roles as Lenore Curtain on ANOTHER WORLD and Anne Tyler on ALL MY CHILDREN. She recently appeared on our critics panel's 50 Greatest Soap Actresses honorable mention list. After leaving ALL MY CHILDREN, Barcroft went on to roles on other soaps including THE EDGE OF NIGHT and RYAN'S HOPE. She also substituted for two popular actresses in famous roles (Susan on AS THE WORLD TURNS and Viki on ONE LIFE TO LIVE). In this exclusive two-part interview, the actress takes a look back on her long and successful career and catches us up on what she's doing now.

In Part One, Barcroft talks about moving around as a child and learning adaptability, landing a job her first week in New York, playing a popular role on ANOTHER WORLD and then returning to the show many years later as a dayplayer.

We Love Soaps: Tell me about your background. You were born in D.C. but then moved around a lot?
Judith Barcroft: Yes. My father was an Episcopal minister and so we lived in Germany for two years. I studied art in Rome at the Borghese Gallery. We lived in Oklahoma and Palm Beach, very contrasting places. I went to a lot of different schools - the American School On The Rhine in Germany; the National Cathedral School in Virginia; St. Mary's Hall at Fairbault, Minnesota; Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri; and then I graduated from Northwestern University. You learn adaptability I guess.
I came to New York and got a job my first week, within five days, in the theater. It was a show directed by George Abbott, "Never Too Late." I went out on a bus and truck tour.