WEDDING OF THE CENTURY:
On Nov. 16-17, 1981, more than 30 million fans tuned in to watch the highly anticipated marriage of supercouple Luke (Anthony Geary) and Laura (Genie Francis). Adding to the hype, actress Elizabeth Taylor made a cameo as evil Helena Cassadine, wearing her own 33-carat diamond ring.
Trivia question: Who caught the bride’s bouquet? Answer at bottom of page.
(ABC photo)
Dr. Alan Quartermaine (Stuart Damon) made Port Charles his home base after he fell in love with colleague Dr. Monica Webber (Leslie Charleson), on ABC Daytime’s “General Hospital”. They began a serious relationship despite Alan’s concern that Monica was still in love with Rick Webber. (ABC photo)FAVORITE MOMENTSLocal fans offer their memories of “General Hospital.””The [University of] Tennessee campus literally stopping all activity for the Luke and Laura wedding – complete with cheers and shrieks from open windows in the women’s dorms.”- Rick Goins”Cassadines, Alan Quartermaine telling the Christmas story every year at the hospital Christmas party, Maxie getting B.J.’s heart, Stone’s death, Nurses Ball, and every story that contains Nancy Lee Grahn aka Alexis Davis.”- Mary Jones”It had to be Luke and Laura’s wedding! Of course, there was another moment with Luke and Laura many years later. Laura came back from the dead (as they always do) and was out wandering around under some trees. Luke saw her from a window or something and let out this blood-curdling ‘Lauraaaaaaaaaa!’ It was awesome!”- Cindy Lowery”The scenes with Jason Morgan and his grandmother, Lila. They had such a great relationship. Her heart was as big as the world. She is dearly missed. I cried for a few days when she passed. Anna Lee was the reason I started watching ‘General Hospital’. I watched her in ‘Sound of Music.'”- Teri Massengale”I absolutely loved Luke and Laura, but when John Stamos came on there, that was the best.”- Michelle Bryant Pollard”Luke and Laura’s wedding. Went over the speed limit to make it home to watch it. I felt like an invited guest.”- Betty Ragsdale”I’m only 20 … but my favorite ‘GH’ part was when Jerry Jacks tampered with the water. That shootout was awesome!”- Dominique Mchayzuire Schawzee”I was amazed in college at how many guys were in the dorm lobby watching ‘General Hospital’.”- Gary Tanner”My favorite moment was every Christmas [when] Dr. Hardy used to recite the Christmas story.”- Mary DeShazo Rice”Sonny Corinthos aka Maurice Bernard and Jason. And, of course, Luke and Laura’s wedding. Finally, my all-time favorite was any scene with Scorpio. Loved that actor.”- Marlene L. Sanders
On April 1, 1963, Dr. Steve Hardy treated his first patient at General Hospital in the fictional TV town of Port Charles, N.Y.
And soap fans loved the way he operated.
Fifty years later, the hospital’s plots still haven’t flat-lined, and 2.7 million viewers continue to tune in each afternoon to follow the loves and losses of the Quartermaine, Corinthos, Spencer and Webber families.
“General Hospital” launches a weeklong celebration of its 50th anniversary today with episodes that will feature the return of the Nurses Ball hospital fundraiser. Ball episodes will air Thursday, Friday and April 8 at 2 p.m. on ABC, 9 p.m. on SoapNet.