By Marlena De Lacroix a.k.a. Connie Passalacqua Hayman “Where is the love?” This is a famous soap world quote from the late beloved headwriter Doug Marland (As the World Turns, etc.) spoken when he used to look at other soaps and find anything but. This question can now be most fairly asked of General Hospital, once a good soap opera but now … [Read more...]
As The World Turns: Love and Family in the Heart of America
My friend Ed Martin weighs in, too, on the loss of As the World Turns in a new post immediately following this one. ___________________________________________ By Marlena De Lacroix I broke into tears when I heard that As the World Turns was canceled yesterday. I'm sure many of you did, too. ATWT has been a part of all our lives for so … [Read more...]
Guiding Light: What Happened? Start Your THINKING Long Ago
Thinking Fans savor vintage Guiding Light: Mike Goldberg says, "It seems to me that Guiding Light has had so many magical periods and then so many dreadful periods. The era you describe was magnificent" ... while from Italy, Giada declares, "I don't want to be a 'laudator temporis acti,' someone who praises the past for its own sake, but I do … [Read more...]
Remembering Douglas Marland: Timeless Storylines, Timeless Talent
Douglas Marland: May 5, 1935 - March 6, 1993 By Patrick Erwin It's been fifteen years since Douglas Marland's death. That seems impossible to me, but then again, maybe that's because I still see aspects of his work and his characters on screen every day. Certainly, his body of work has had a big impact on me. I was eagerly watching his … [Read more...]
Remembering Douglas Marland: Highlights of a Great Career
Douglas Marland: May 5, 1935 - March 6, 1993 By Patrick Erwin As an actor: -- Doug appeared in a 1956 episode of Playhouse 90 called Forbidden Area (as Marland Messner, his real name). -- In 1973, he appeared on As The World Turns, playing Lisa's doctor, Eric Lonsberry, during the infamous "phantom fetus" storyline. -- Doug also appeared … [Read more...]
Remembering Douglas Marland: A Week-long Celebration
Douglas Marland: May 5, 1935 - March 6, 1993 By Marlena De Lacroix Can it really be 15 years since the light was turned off? Those were the words of my friend, soap historian Leona Barad when I wrote to her telling her we were planning a special week of articles here at marlenadelacroix.com to commemorate the 15th anniversary of Douglas … [Read more...]