As the World Turns

Hooray!!! - For over a year, I was misssing my 'reel' family from Oakdale. Last night I was once again with them. As I comfortably settled into the sofa, I was able to truly enjoy past wonderful episodes of a 'soap opera' that I watched for 50 years. Of course, most of my early memories from the 60's and 70's can only be recaptured through books and photographs because the reels were not preserved by P&G. But, my favourite time period (starting with the early 80's through to the 90's) have been beautifully honoured by the DVD sets that were released by P&G and produced by Soapclassics. For me, it is a GIFT - a dream come true. And I say, "THANK YOU". So, as I am thoroughly enjoying my transition back into the history of Oakdale, I would like to share my thoughts on the collection itself.

DISC 1 GREAT WEDDINGS

Tom Hughes marries Margo Montgomery.

Starting with Disc 1 - Great Weddings, we start with my favourite couple, (Justin Deas and Margaret Colin as Tom Hughes and Margo Montgomery) as they are getting ready to say their "I do's" in Episode 1, Tom Hughes marries Margo Montgomery.

Justin Deas & Margaret Colin

Always a couple that was quirky and a bit non-traditional, Tom and Margo decide to speed things up a little by rushing the actual wedding as a surprise to their guests. Without any indication as to their plan, Margo and Tom simply call family and friends to 'immediately' come to the park - no explanation given. Lyla (Margo's mother) arrives in curlers, Annie is splattered with paint and Steve arrives in a hard hat. For me, it was a 'treat' to see Ellen and David (even though they were arguing about Betsy), Kim without Bob and Bob married to Miranda, and of course, Nancy and Chris as the grandparents coming to the wedding of their grandson. I didn't realize how much I would feel the warmth and humour of the impromptu wedding that until now had only been part of my memory for a very long time. I always had a special joy when watching Justin Deas and Margaret Colin as Tom and Margo, because I felt that they played their roles with a finess and love that was also part of their own personal lives, not a s actors but as a couple who truly enjoyed each other's company. It was refreshing, light and endearing. Tom and Margo are so cute together. She calls him 'bubbles'

Frank Runyeon & Meg Ryan

The other parts of the episode showed a young Betsy (Meg Ryan), still longing for the time she spent in Spain with Steve (Frank Runyeon). She didn't know that the baby she was carrying was not Craig's (Scott Bryce) but rather Steve's. Craig, cunning and sly as always, had convinced Betsy that the baby was his, even though he knew that he was sterile. Even then, Craig had his eye on Betsy's inheritance from her father Dan Stewart, and was jealous of Steve to the point of keeping the young lovers apart from each other. The flashback to the duet that Steve and Betsy had on the piano, showed a relationship based on a passion that was based on sincerity, trust and longing, while Craig and Betsy's relationship was one of guilt, jealousy and fear. It was nice to see how Betsy's grandmother, Ellen wanted to support and tell Betsy, while David didn't want to interfere. Whit McColl was so hard on his children. I always liked Diana. Betsy von Furtenberg did an admirable job of filling in for Eileen Fulton. John Dixon acts like a school boy in front of Dee. He shows sincerity and admits his shortcomings. There are a couple of things that I would have done a little differently in the production of this set. Although I liked the introduction of Tom and Margo at the very beginning, I honestly feel that each episode should have been introduced and perhaps been given a bit of background.

Episiode 2
Steve Andropoulos marries Betsy Stewart.

Steve & Betsy

This episode from 1984 was ATWT's highest rated show. It was a traditional Greek wedding where Steve and Betsy wrote their own vows. Meg Ryan looked absolutely stunning in her blush gown and the simple wreathe framed her face to make her look angelic.

It was very nice to see how ATWT embraced tradition and incorporated Greek culture and religion into the ceremony. Aesthetically, it was simply beautiful to watch form the vows to the reception with Greek dancing and firends and family present. I loved the wedding and I also enjoyed seeing a bit of intrigue where lawyer Maggie Crawford (Mary Linda Rappeleye) tries to prevent a dangerous situation from injuring her client Frank Anropoulos (Jacques Perreault). As an aside, Maggie and Frank were to get married just one year later.

Anne Sward (Lyla Montgomery) was such an integral part of ATWT for many years. As 'Mamma' Montgomery, she had a relationship with Bob Hughes (they almost married), helped Craig, Margo and Cricket through their difficult times and had a fantastic May-December romance and marriage with Caesy Peretti. I never could understand why she left Oakdale and never returned. They had such great storylines that could have been and should have been re-introduced. Katie need her mother.

Episode 3

Bob Hughes marries Kim Andropoulos

Don Hastings and Kathryn Hays

Oh my. After marrying many different partners in the past, Bob Hughes and Kim Andropoulos finally got together in 1985 and married each other. I loved this episode because it brought back so many of my favourite characters especially Don and Penny. It is too bad that the one prevous episode couldn't have been included. I loved seeing when they were all together talking in the kitchen. I also liked seeing Lisa's reaction to Bob. It would have been great to see the convertible and what happened to Bob and Kim just before their wedding. It was also a very special scene when both Frannie and Betsy talked to Kim.

The beginning of the episode shows how quirky Margo has always been. Hilary Bailey Smith took over from Margaret Colin and made the transition one that I truly enjoyed. In the garden, I liked how Lyla was able to joke with John. I was not a huge fan of Kim's headress but I assume it was the fashion at the time - she did look lovely, though. It was good to see a little intrigue while the wedding was going on, but it had also run it's course after a year, so I honestly felt I wanted more Hughes family and less Maggie and Frank. Maybe that's why they left town shortly after that. All in all, I liked it but would have preferred to see the episode from the day before.

Lily Walsh Marries Holden Snyder

Oh what fun to see Lesli Kay (Molly Conlin) and Maura West (Carly Tenney) try to stop Lily and Holden from getting married. It was heartbreaking, yet poignant. Lisa pulling and tugging at Molly in Fashions was a sight to behold. I had almost forgotten that there was so much drama in the scene. As fun as this was, though, I couldn't help feeling (watching it again) that Holden needed some of the James Dean type of behaviour that was so endearing when he was younger. To me, he was a little too quiet. It's too bad that Rose wasn't there to come to Lily and Holden's rescue.

Carly Tenney Marries Jack Snyder

The wedding in Montana has always been one of my favourite Jack and Carly weddings. We didn't know who was Sage's father. Carly opens the envelope, but doesn't let Mike or Jack know until after the ceremony. In the ceremony, each person had to say something. It really spoke to their feelings. I loved the interplay between Rosanna (Cady McClain) and Craig (Hunt Block). This was Hunt Block at his best as Craig - you could see the mischief in his eyes. Maura West looked absolutely lovely with the garland of blue and white flowers in her hair. Its amazing what you can do in five minutes. And of course, both Mike (Mark Collier) and Jack (Michael Park) were equally handsome as doting fathers.

Weddings I would like to see in future DVDs:

1)Tom & Margo in the jungle where Mr. Big marries them on the yacht. I loved the vows in this one.
2) Barbara and Hal - Colleen Zenk was always so beautiful.
3) Carly and Jacks' final wedding - finally, maybe this time it will work.
4) Barbara and Henry's wedding.- a true May-December romance that got it right
5) Katie and Brad's wedding - hilarious.
6) Shannon & Duncan's wedding.
7) ANY of Lisa's weddings.
8) Penny & Jeff's wedding.