Post by Matthew the Swordsman on Feb 5, 2017 1:21:38 GMT
Prior to the 1980s, it was common for soap operas to be erased after broadcast. The production companies did not foresee the value of keeping tapes of the shows. Some scattered episodes usually survive, but complete runs are rare.
So, which pre-1980s soaps DID have all or nearly all of their episodes kept after broadcast?
I know of the following:
"Days of Our Lives" exists in its entirety
"Autumn Affair", an Australian soap which ran for 156 episodes from 1958-1959, has most episode surviving
"The Story of Peter Grey", an early 1960s Australian soap which ran for 156 episodes, has most episodes surviving
"Coronation Street" exists in its entirety. Only a couple sketches done for the "All Star Comedy Carnival" specials are lost.
Any others I overlooked?
EDIT: I forget about "Dark Shadows". Only one episode is missing (and the soundtrack exists for the missing episode).
So, which pre-1980s soaps DID have all or nearly all of their episodes kept after broadcast?
I know of the following:
"Days of Our Lives" exists in its entirety
"Autumn Affair", an Australian soap which ran for 156 episodes from 1958-1959, has most episode surviving
"The Story of Peter Grey", an early 1960s Australian soap which ran for 156 episodes, has most episodes surviving
"Coronation Street" exists in its entirety. Only a couple sketches done for the "All Star Comedy Carnival" specials are lost.
Any others I overlooked?
EDIT: I forget about "Dark Shadows". Only one episode is missing (and the soundtrack exists for the missing episode).
