I was less than a month old when AW premiered, but I think I remember my mom and grandmother watching the show from the very first black & white episode.
When I was old enough to understand what a TV was, I think I was mesmerized by the updated color opening titles. The interlocking circles in various shades of purple and blue was both pretty and comforting. Here, see for yourself:
This opening and theme song were a constant during the 1970s when AW was at its peak of popularity. They were replaced in 1981 by an odd science-fiction inspired opening that lasted throughout most of the 80s.
A new theme song sang by country music diva and AW fan Crystal Gayle and Broadway star Gary Morris debuted in 1987 along with flashy new graphics featuring cast members. It was updated occasionally as new actors joined the show and others left.
The final opening from 1996 was bold attempt to make AW look like the primetime hit, ER.
I have watched other soaps over the years (mostly on NBC), but somehow no matter how bad AW got (and boy, did it get pretty bad) – I never gave up on it. I guess it was part of my life for so long that it kinda had a life of it's own. There are some days when I wonder whatever happened to the folks of Bay City, characters who felt like family to me. Then I remember, it was just a TV show with actors who got paid to perform scripts written by a team of writers...and then I get sad.
Here's a cast photo of all the talented ladies from 1984.
Robin Strasser, now known as Dorian on ONE LIFE TO LIVE created the character of Rachel Davis in 1967. Initially was a scheming vixen who's main goal was to cause misery in other people's lives.
After Stasser left, Victoria Wyndham assumed the role in 1972. Here is Rachel with her mother Ada Hobson (the great Constance Ford) and her sister Nancy McGowan (Jane Cameron). Wyndham's Rachel mellowed out after she was romanced by Mac Cory.
Liz Matthews (played here by Irene Dailey) was the meddlesome de facto matriach of the Matthews family (after Mary Matthews was written out).
Sally Frame was played over the years by Cathy Greene, Jennifer Runyon, Dawn Benz (not pictured), Mary Page Keller and finally by Taylor Miller. Sally's death was one of the most awful choices the producers of AW ever made.
Some of the Frame women: evil Janice (Christine Jones), kooky Gwen (Dorothy Lyman) and sweet Emma (Elizabeth Ashley).
I always though Anna would play a great Martha Stewart.
MJ McKinnon (Sally Spencer), Mary McKinnon (the fabulous Denise Alexander) and Cheryl McKinnon (Kristen Marie) rounded out the family.
Felicia's long-lost daughter Lorna Devon showed up in 1991, first played by Alicia Coppola, and then by Faye Dunaway lookalike Robin Christopher. Both actresses shined in the role.
Countess Elena DePoulignac (Christina Pickles, Maeve McGuire) was a classy supporting character...and the mother of...
Cecile DePoulignac! Susan Keith created the role, but Nancy Frangione's outstanding performance made Cecile the most delicious villainess in the show's history.
Cecile's spoiled brat daughter Maggie Cory was played by Robyn Griggs, Jodi O'Keefe and finally Lisa Brenner.
Anna Stuart's Donna Love started out as a one-note snob, but grew into an amazingly complex character.
Philece Sampler took over the role in 1987, but luckily Anna was convinced to return in 1989. Nothing against Philece, but Anna embodied the role.
A few other baddies but goodies were Dr. Taylor Benson (Christine Andreas), Lila Roberts (Lisa Peluso) and Cindy Brooke Harrison (Kim Rhodes).
and Stephen Schnetzer as Cass Winthrop as "Crystal Lake".
Dashing construction magnate Steve Frame (George Reinholt) romanced lovely nurse Alice Matthews (Jacquie Courtney).
The two were married on AW's 10th anniversary in a lavish hour-long special.
Included above are Liz Matthews (Irene Dailey), Russ Matthews (David Bailey), Jim Matthews (Hugh Marlowe), Robert Delaney (Nicholas Coster) and Iris Carrington (Beverley McKinsey).
Rachel (now Victoria Wyndham) wanted Steve!
After Steve "died" ( he came back in the 80s played by David Canary), Rachel, the shrew was tamed by the love of publisher Mac Cory (Douglass Watson).
Rachel and Mac had their times apart, but their love always brought them back together. Mac died off screen when Douglass Watson passed away.
Rachel's widowhood led to several short-lived romances, culminating with her unlikely marriage to Mac's nemesis Carl Hutchins (Charles Keating). This time around it was Rachel who tamed the lion.
Another great couple from the 70s were Sam & Lahoma (Jordan Charney and Ann Wedgeworth). This duo proved so popular that they were spun off to SOMERSET. The two were later reunited on THREE'S COMPANY.
