First One Hundred Years, The (CBS 1950-1952, James Lydon, Olive Stacey)

The First One Hundred Years was the very first CBS soap was this one, shown weekdays at 2.30pm between the 4 December 1950 and 27 June 1952. It was about a newly married couple moving into a run down three story Victorian house.

The couple, Chris and Connie Martin Thayer had to deal with all the usual problems, in-laws interfering, problems with their house, etc. Sponsored by Proctor and Gamble the show was based on a radio serial that ran from 1948 and also a 1950 Silver Theater anthology production.

The series, which went out live, had quite a few location shots (New York-Long Island-Westchester County) inserted. Also notable was the fact that this series saw the first appearance of the teleprompter/autocue, the machine which feeds actors and presenters their lines.

production details
USA / CBS / x15 minute episodes / Broadcast 4 December 1950 – 27 June 1952

cast
JAMES LYDON as Chris Thayer
OLIVE STACEY as Connie Martin Thayer (1950-Jan 52)
ANNE SARGENT as Connie Martin Thayer (Jan – June 1952)
DON TOBIN as Mr Thayer
VALERIE CROSSART as Mrs Thayer
ROBERT ARMSTRONG as Mr Martin
NANA BRYANT as Mrs Martin
NANCY MALONE as Margy Martin

Head of film reviews at The Viewers Guide with an erudite, insightful, slightly sardonic, deep appreciation for classic cinema. Has a habit of quoting obscure lines from old films in everyday conversation. He keeps a meticulously organized film logbook. He's a bit of a tea snob.