Today in Soap Opera History (July 26)

The cast of Young Widder Brown.
"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...

1938: Young Widder Brown premiered on NBC Radio. The popular Frank and Anne Hummert radio soap opera told the story of young Ellen Brown, a 30 year old mother, who struggled to raise her children without the small town mentality that came with living in Simpsonville. The show ran for nearly 18 years, until June 22, 1956.

1972: On As the World Turns, Tom Hughes (Peter Galman) and Carol Deming (Rita McLaughlin) were married. The wedding was shot on location at the Riverdale Presbyterian Church in Riverdale, New York.

1976: One Life to Live and General Hospital each expanded to 45-minute episodes each weekday. Up until this point, One Life to Live had aired right after General Hospital, but would air before GH  for the remainder of its run on ABC (January 13, 2012).

1976: On Another World, Mac Cory (Douglass Watson) accused his wife, Rachel (Victoria Wyndham), of neglecting her son, Jamie Frame (Bobby Doran).

1985: On Santa Barbara, Barnaby "Brick" Wallace (Richard Eden) and Amy Perkins (Kerry Sherman) held a crossbow on Jerry Lee (Joel Crothers) and Jack Lee (also Joel Crothers), with both men claiming to be Jack. Julia Wainwright arrived and kissed them both to figure out who was the real Jack. Later, Jerry and Jack battled in a sword duel.

Today in Soap Opera History (June 22)

1967: Dark Shadows' Elizabeth confessed to murder.
1981: General Hospital's Luke was drugged.
1987: Jess Walton debuted as Jill on The Young and the Restless.
1993: All My Children's Erica married Dimitri.

"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...

1956: The final episode of radio soap opera Young Widder Brown aired on NBC Radio, completing a 22-year run. The show's epigraph: "Again we present the moving human drama of a woman's heart and a mother's love -- Young Widder Brown. In the little town of Simpsonville, attractive Ellen Brown, with two children to support, faces the question of what she owes to them and what she owes to herself. Here's the story of life and love as we all know it."

1966: On The Guiding Light, Bert Bauer (Charita Bauer) confronted Maggie about her affair with Bill.

Today in Soap Opera History (July 26)

The cast of Young Widder Brown.

"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...

1938: Young Widder Brown premiered on NBC Radio. The popular Frank and Anne Hummert radio soap opera told the story of young Ellen Brown, a 30 year old mother, who struggled to raise her children without the small town mentality that came with living in Simpsonville. The show ran for nearly 18 years, until June 22, 1956.

1972: On As the World Turns, Tom Hughes (Peter Galman) and Carol Deming (Rita McLaughlin) were married. The wedding was shot on location at the Riverdale Presbyterian Church in Riverdale, New York.

1976: One Life to Live and General Hospital each expanded to 45-minute episodes each weekday. Up until this point, One Life to Live had aired right after General Hospital, but would air before GH  for the remainder of its run on ABC (January 13, 2012).

1976: On Another World, Mac Cory (Douglass Watson) accused his wife, Rachel (Victoria Wyndham), of neglecting her son, Jamie Frame (Bobby Doran).

1985: On Santa Barbara, Barnaby "Brick" Wallace (Richard Eden) and Amy Perkins (Kerry Sherman) held a crossbow on Jerry Lee (Joel Crothers) and Jack Lee (also Joel Crothers), with both men claiming to be Jack. Julia Wainwright arrived and kissed them both to figure out who was the real Jack. Later, Jerry and Jack battled in a sword duel.

Today in Soap Opera History (June 22)

1967: Dark Shadows' Elizabeth confessed to murder.
1981: General Hospital's Luke was drugged.
1987: Jess Walton debuted as Jill on The Young and the Restless.
1993: All My Children's Erica married Dimitri.

"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...

1956: The final episode of radio soap opera Young Widder Brown aired on NBC Radio, completing a 22-year run. The show's epigraph: "Again we present the moving human drama of a woman's heart and a mother's love -- Young Widder Brown. In the little town of Simpsonville, attractive Ellen Brown, with two children to support, faces the question of what she owes to them and what she owes to herself. Here's the story of life and love as we all know it."

1966: On The Guiding Light, Bert Bauer (Charita Bauer) confronted Maggie about her affair with Bill.

Today in Soap Opera History (June 6)

1979: Ryan's Hope's Poppy caused trouble for Tom and Faith.
1988: Another World's Amanda gave birth to Alli.
1988: Days of our Lives' Tom was secretly a poet.
2002: Guiding Light's Reva sang to Josh.

"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...

1938: Local New York City radio soap opera Stella Dallas began airing nationwide on NBC Radio.

1938: Young Widder Brown premiered on NBC Radio. Stella Dallas and Young Widder Brown became key components of the network's afternoon lineup.

1944: On the first day of the Invasion of Normandy (D-Day), the CBS Radio lineup of soap operas kept listeners updated on what happened.

10:00 a.m. Valiant Lady (General Mills) - Joan and Tubby were suspected of smuggling.

Today in Soap Opera History (July 26)

The cast of Young Widder Brown.

"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...

1938: Young Widder Brown premiered on NBC Radio. The popular Frank and Anne Hummert radio soap opera told the story of young Ellen Brown, a 30 year old mother, who struggled to raise her children without the small town mentality that came with living in Simpsonville. The show ran for nearly 18 years, until June 22, 1956.

1972: On As the World Turns, Tom Hughes (Peter Galman) and Carol Deming (Rita McLaughlin) were married. The wedding was shot on location at the Riverdale Presbyterian Church in Riverdale, New York.

1976: One Life to Live and General Hospital each expanded to 45-minute episodes each weekday. Up until this point, One Life to Live had aired right after General Hospital, but would air before GH  for the remainder of its run on ABC (January 13, 2012).

1976: On Another World, Mac Cory (Douglass Watson) accused his wife, Rachel (Victoria Wyndham), of neglecting her son, Jamie Frame (Bobby Doran).

1985: On Santa Barbara, Barnaby "Brick" Wallace (Richard Eden) and Amy Perkins (Kerry Sherman) held a crossbow on Jerry Lee (Joel Crothers) and Jack Lee (also Joel Crothers), with both men claiming to be Jack. Julia Wainwright arrived and kissed them both to figure out who was the real Jack. Later, Jerry and Jack battled in a sword duel.

Today in Soap Opera History (June 22)

1967: Dark Shadows' Elizabeth confessed to murder.
1981: General Hospital's Luke was drugged.
1987: Jess Walton debuted as Jill on The Young and the Restless.
1993: All My Children's Erica married Dimitri.

"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...

1956: The final episode of radio soap opera Young Widder Brown aired on NBC Radio, completing a 22-year run. The show's epigraph: "Again we present the moving human drama of a woman's heart and a mother's love -- Young Widder Brown. In the little town of Simpsonville, attractive Ellen Brown, with two children to support, faces the question of what she owes to them and what she owes to herself. Here's the story of life and love as we all know it."

1966: On The Guiding Light, Bert Bauer (Charita Bauer) confronted Maggie about her affair with Bill.

Today in Soap Opera History (June 6)

1979: Ryan's Hope's Poppy caused trouble for Tom and Faith.
1988: Another World's Amanda gave birth to Alli.
1988: Days of our Lives' Tom was secretly a poet.
2002: Guiding Light's Reva sang to Josh.

"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...

1938: Local New York City radio soap opera Stella Dallas began airing nationwide on NBC Radio.

1938:  Young Widder Brown premiered on NBC Radio. Stella Dallas ad Young Widder Brown became key components of the network's afternoon lineup.

1944: On the first day of the Invasion of Normandy (D-Day), the CBS Radio lineup of soap operas kept listeners updated on what happened.

10:00 a.m. Valiant Lady (General Mills) - Joan and Tubby were suspected of smuggling.

Today in Soap Opera History (July 26)

The cast of Young Widder Brown.

"If you don't know history, then you don't know anything. You are a leaf that doesn't know it is part of a tree."
― Michael Crichton

"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...

1938: Young Widder Brown premiered on NBC Radio. The popular Frank and Anne Hummert radio soap opera told the story of young Ellen Brown, a 30 year old mother, who struggled to raise her children without the small town mentality that came with living in Simpsonville. The show ran for nearly 18 years, until June 22, 1956.

1972: On As the World Turns, Tom Hughes (Peter Galman) and Carol Deming (Rita McLaughlin) were married. The wedding was shot on location at the Riverdale Presbyterian Church in Riverdale, New York.

1976: One Life to Live and General Hospital each expanded to 45-minute episodes each weekday. Up until this point, One Life to Live had aired right after General Hospital, but would air before GH  for the remainder of its run on ABC (January 13, 2012).

1976: On Another World, Mac Cory (Douglass Watson) accused his wife, Rachel (Victoria Wyndham), of neglecting her son, Jamie Frame (Bobby Doran).

1985: On Santa Barbara, Barnaby "Brick" Wallace (Richard Eden) and Amy Perkins (Kerry Sherman) held a crossbow on Jerry Lee (Joel Crothers) and Jack Lee (also Joel Crothers), with both men claiming to be Jack. Julia Wainwright arrived and kissed them both to figure out who was the real Jack. Later, Jerry and Jack battled in a sword duel.

Today in Soap Opera History (June 22)

1967: Dark Shadows' Elizabeth confessed to murder. 1981:
General Hospital's Luke was drugged.  1987: Jess Walton debuted
as Jill on The Young and the Restless. 1993: All My Children's
Erica married Dimitri.

"If you don't know history, then you don't know anything. You are a leaf that doesn't know it is part of a tree."
― Michael Crichton

"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...

1956: The final episode of radio soap opera Young Widder Brown aired on NBC Radio, completing a 22-year run. The show's epigraph: "Again we present the moving human drama of a woman's heart and a mother's love -- Young Widder Brown. In the little town of Simpsonville, attractive Ellen Brown, with two children to support, faces the question of what she owes to them and what she owes to herself. Here's the story of life and love as we all know it."

1966: On The Guiding Light, Bert Bauer (Charita Bauer) confronted Maggie about her affair with Bill.

Today in Soap Opera History (June 6)

1979: Ryan's Hope's Poppy caused trouble for Tom and Faith.
1988: Another World's Amanda gave birth to Alli.
1988: Days of our Lives' Tom was secretly a poet.
2002: Guiding Light's Reva sang to Josh.

"If you don't know history, then you don't know anything. You are a leaf that doesn't know it is part of a tree."
― Michael Crichton

"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...

1938: Local New York City radio soap opera Stella Dallas began airing nationwide on NBC Radio.

1938:  Young Widder Brown premiered on NBC Radio. Stella Dallas ad Young Widder Brown became key components of the network's afternoon lineup.

1944: On the first day of the Invasion of Normandy (D-Day), the CBS Radio lineup of soap operas kept listeners updated on what happened.

10:00 a.m. Valiant Lady (General Mills) - Joan and Tubby were suspected of smuggling.

Today in Soap Opera History (July 26)

The cast of Young Widder Brown.

"History never looks like history when you are living through it."
― John W. Gardner

"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...

1938: Young Widder Brown premiered on NBC Radio. The popular Frank and Anne Hummert radio soap opera told the story of young Ellen Brown, a 30 year old mother, who struggled to raise her children without the small town mentality that came with living in Simpsonville. The show ran for nearly 18 years, until June 22, 1956.

1972: On As the World Turns, Tom Hughes (Peter Galman) and Carol Deming (Rita McLaughlin) were married. The wedding was shot on location at the Riverdale Presbyterian Church in Riverdale, New York.

1976: One Life to Live and General Hospital each expanded to 45 minutes. Up until this point, One Life to Live had aired right after General Hospital, but would air before GH  for the remainder of its run on ABC (January 13, 2012).

1976: On Another World, Mac Cory (Douglass Watson) accused his wife, Rachel (Victoria Wyndham), of neglecting her son, Jamie Frame (Bobby Doran).

1985: On Santa Barbara, Barnaby "Brick" Wallace (Richard Eden) and Amy Perkins (Kerry Sherman) held a crossbow on Jerry Lee (Joel Crothers) and Jack Lee (also Joel Crothers), with both men claiming to be Jack. Julia Wainwright arrived and kissed them both to figure out who was the real Jack. Later, Jerry and Jack battled in a sword duel.

Today in Soap Opera History (June 22)

1967: Dark Shadows' Elizabeth confessed to murder. 1981:
General Hospital's Luke was drugged.  1987: Jess Walton debuted
as Jill on The Young and the Restless. 1993: All My Children's
Erica married Dimitri.

"History never looks like history when you are living through it."
― John W. Gardner

"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...

1956: The final episode of radio soap opera Young Widder Brown aired on NBC Radio, completing a 22-year run. The show's epigraph: "Again we present the moving human drama of a woman's heart and a mother's love -- Young Widder Brown. In the little town of Simpsonville, attractive Ellen Brown, with two children to support, faces the question of what she owes to them and what she owes to herself. Here's the story of life and love as we all know it."

1966: On The Guiding Light, Bert Bauer (Charita Bauer) confronted Maggie about her affair with Bill.

Today in Soap Opera History (June 6)

1979: Ryan's Hope's Poppy caused trouble for Tom and Faith.
1988: Another World's Amanda gave birth to Alli.
1988: Days of our Lives' Tom was secretly a poet.
2002: Guiding Light's Reva sang to Josh.

"History never looks like history when you are living through it."
― John W. Gardner

"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...

1938: Local New York City radio soap opera Stella Dallas began airing nationwide on NBC Radio.

1938:  Young Widder Brown premiered on NBC Radio. Stella Dallas ad Young Widder Brown became key components of the network's afternoon lineup.

1944: On the first day of the Invasion of Normandy (D-Day), the CBS Radio lineup of soap operas kept listeners updated on what happened.

10:00 a.m. Valiant Lady (General Mills) - Joan and Tubby were suspected of smuggling.

Today in Soap Opera History (June 22)

1967: Dark Shadows' Elizabeth confessed to murder. 1981:
General Hospital's Luke was drugged.  1987: Jess Walton debuted
as Jill on The Young and the Restless. 1993: All My Children's
Erica married Dimitri.

"History is a gallery of pictures in which there are few originals and many copies."
- Alexis de Tocqueville

"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...

1956: The final episode of radio soap opera Young Widder Brown aired on NBC Radio, completing a 22-year run. The show's epigraph: "Again we present the moving human drama of a woman's heart and a mother's love -- Young Widder Brown. In the little town of Simpsonville, attractive Ellen Brown, with two children to support, faces the question of what she owes to them and what she owes to herself. Here's the story of life and love as we all know it."

1966: On The Guiding Light, Bert Bauer (Charita Bauer) confronted Maggie about her affair with Bill.

1967: On Dark Shadows, Victoria (Alexandra Moltke) heard Elizabeth (Joan Bennett) sobbing in her bedroom and she went to check on her. She was inconsolable over Carolyn's rejection, and Victoria learned that Jason did indeed have some hold over Elizabeth. Unable to hold in the eighteen-year-old secret any longer, Elizabeth admitted that she murdered Paul Stoddard.

Today in Soap Opera History (June 6)

"History is a gallery of pictures in which there are few originals and many copies."
- Alexis de Tocqueville

"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...

1938: Local New York City radio soap opera Stella Dallas began airing nationwide on NBC Radio. Young Widder Brown premiered on NBC Radio as well. Both were part of the network's afternoon lineup.

1944: On the first day of the Invasion of Normandy (D-Day), the CBS Radio lineup of soap operas kept listeners updated on what happened.

10:00 a.m. Valiant Lady. General Mills. Joan and Tubby are suspected of smuggling.
10:30 a.m. The Open Door. Royal Puddings and Gelatins. John and Rennie Merrick quarreled over whether their parents should re-marry. Listen below.

10:45 a.m. Bachelor's Children. Wonder Bread. Ruth Ann cried over "Joan Gray," a fictitious ex-girlfriend of Dr. Bob's.
11:00 a.m. Amanda of Honeymoon Hill. Phillips Milk of Magnesia. Jeanette regretted mailing a letter to her husband.

FLASHBACK: The Hummert Radio Soap Opera Mill 1939

Radio: Hummerts' Mill

TIME
January 23, 1939

One of the oddest outfits in the very odd business of radio is Blackett-Sample-Hummert Inc. Not only is the company the No. 1 buyer of radio time, it is the No. 1 producer of radio material—and, incidentally, a big source of professional exasperation.

Figures available last week showed that in 1938 B-S-H had placed orders for $9,000,000 worth of air time. This was about one-eighth of all money paid for radio network time and over $3,700,000 more than B-S-H's nearest competitor spent. The commission on this sale was about $1,350,000 for B-S-H.

Today in Soap Opera History (June 22)

On this date in...

1956: The final episode of radio soap opera YOUNG WIDDER BROWN aired on NBC Radio after 22 years on the air.

1966: On THE GUIDING LIGHT, Bert (Charita Bauer) confronted Maggie about her affair with Bill.

1967: On DARK SHADOWS, Victoria (Alexandra Moltke) heard crying coming from Elizabeth's (Joan Bennett) room.

Today in Soap Opera History (June 6)

On this date in...

1938: Local New York City radio soap opera STELLA DALLAS began airing nationwide on NBC Radio. YOUNG WIDDER BROWN premiered on NBC Radio as well. Both were part of the network's afternoon lineup.

1944: On the first day of the Invasion of Normandy (D-Day), the CBS Radio lineup of soap operas kept listeners updated on what happened.

10:00 a.m. VALIANT LADY. General Mills. Joan and Tubby are suspected of smuggling.
10:30 a.m. THE OPEN DOOR. Royal Puddings and Gelatins. John and Rennie Merrick quarreled over whether their parents should re-marry. Listen below.

10:45 a.m. BACHELOR'S CHILDREN. Wonder Bread. Ruth Ann cried over "Joan Gray," a fictitious ex-girlfriend of Dr. Bob's.
11:00 a.m. AMANDA OF HONEYMOON HILL. Phillips Milk of Magnesia. Jeanette regretted mailing a letter to her husband.
11:15 a.m. SECOND HUSBAND. Dr. Lyons Tooth Powder. A rebellious Fran has moved in with show producer Elsa King.
11:45 a.m. AUNT JENNY'S REAL LIFE STORIES. Spry All-Vegetable Shortening. Jim Abbott stood to inherit a fortune, but only if he agreed to a very unusual condition.
12:15 p.m. BIG SISTER. Rinso. Beautiful Hollis Travers declared her passionate love for John.
12:30 p.m. THE ROMANCE OF HELEN TRENT. Benefax Multivitamins. Helen delivered an ultimatum to Gil-- marry me now or never.

50 Greatest Soap Actresses: #22 Charita Bauer

NAME: Charita Bauer
RANK: 22
SOAP ROLES: Bert Bauer, GUIDING LIGHT (1950-1985); TO HAVE AND TO HOLD (1975-1976); Sarah, ROSE OF MY DREAMS; Fran Cummings, SECOND HUSBAND (1945); YOUNG WIDDER BROWN (1945); Judy, DAVID HARUM (1942); FRONT PAGE FARRELL; Gail Carver Macdonald, LORA LAWTON; ORPHANS OF DIVORCE; Lanette, OUR GAL SUNDAY; Susan Wakefield, THE RIGHT TO HAPPINESS; STELLA DALLAS

AWARDS:
1985 Daytime Emmy Special Recognition Award for over 34 years of service

COMMENTS FROM THE PANEL:
Alan Carter: Talk about someone melded to their character...viewers actually thought Charita was Bert...and the similarities in last names didn't hurt. Playing out her own amputation story...which could not have been easy, easily lands her on the list for courage and honesty.