This piece appeared in Daytime Digest in 1982, I believe.

A DREAM WEDDING COME TRUE

Luke and Laura's marriage had everything--lavish production values, Liz Taylor, and a real-life, behind-the-scenes drama!

The most exciting soap opera event ever was nearly upstaged by two dramatic backstage stories: the fabulous four-day cameo appearance of film legend Elizabeth Taylor, and the headline-making announcement of Genie Francis that she would not renew her acting contract.

As we go to press, General Hospital was still trying to come to a satisfactory agreement with Miss Francis. Although her last reported salary was approximately $100,000 per year (Tony Geary is said to make upwards of $200,000) money apparently was not the key issue. "I'd like to attend Cal State Northridge College," she says. "I've been working on this show since I was 14 years old and I've never known what it was like to go to high school--I was tutored privately on the set. I never had many dates either, I was always too busy studying scripts. In terms of my profession I've grown tremendously over the past four years. Now I want to start growing as a person."

If G.H. agrees to her demands for a less physically exhausting schedule--like two work days a week instead of her current four--she feels she may be able to find a balance between her work and her private life. If not, then by the time you read this, she will be gone.

Elizabeth Taylor gave the entire cast and crew a thrill appearing as Helena Cassadine. Her warm sense of humor and total lack of pretension endeared her to everyone, especially Tony Geary. He exclaimed, "If Elizabeth Taylor thinks that soaps are worth working on then I don't want to hear anybody knocking them!"

Indeed, it was at Liz's own request that the show created a new role. An avid soap fan, Liz had mentioned to ABC-TV that she'd love to appear on her favorite show, General Hospital. And Producer Gloria Monty was happy to oblige. Not only did she turn her own office suite over to Liz, but enstalled [sic] a tankful of tropical fish, which are Miss Taylor's hobby.

And so it was that Liz, as Helena Cassadine, crashed the wedding. What was she up to?, Port Charles wondered. The question was soon settled as she announced the donation of millions to the hospital to atone for the deeds of her late husband Mikos [sic]. But, though her husband may have been evil, she could not bring herself to forgive Luke and Laura for his death. She plotted revenge as the ceremony began.

Filmed outdoors, the wedding included dozens of extras, saw the bride and groom arrive in one of Slick's rare antique cars, exchange vows (see box), and leave under a shower of rice to begin their fabulous honeymoon.

The script had a final, ironic twist. An unwanted guest, Scotty Baldwin, appears suddenly, shouting that he is still married to Laura and will fight the divorce.

Superstar Liz, of course, had the last word. For their role in Mikos' death Helena pronounces a curse on the newlyweds, then departs.

(Liz's salary, by the way, was union scale--$2,000--which she turned over to two Virginia hospitals where she'd once been treated.)

Sidebar: THE BRIDAL GOWN

The gown was a "princess-style" light pink satin gown with leg-o-mutton sleeves, a lace-covered bodice and cuffs covered with hand-sewn pearls, sequins and crystal beads. Topping the ensemble was an exquisitely beaded headpiece and illusion veil. The bride also carried a beautiful bouquet of yellow roses and mountainbells.

The maid of honor, Amy, wore a floor-length, deep pink gown with Lady Diana puffed sleeves. The three bridesmaids (Bobbi [sic], Claudia and Tiffany) wore mauve gowns and derby-shaped hats with veiling.

Sidebar: GENIE'S FAREWELL? Is Genie Francis really leaving? She has said she was, more than once, but people have a way of changing their minds, and networks have ways of persuading stars to stay. If she does leave, it will be a great loss to all concerned, General Hospital and TV viewers alike. The person she'll miss most will surely be Tony who's been so much like an older brother to her and for whom she wept when he failed to win the best Actor Emmy. Denise Alexander has been close to her too, "like a mother," and that will be a painful parting.

Sidebar: THE SHADOW OF SCOTTY Kin Shriner, Scotty's creator, left the show two years ago to try his fortune in the new soap, Texas. At the time it was hard to see what else could be done with Scotty except send him into exile in a remote Mexican village. But the character of Scotty refused to just melt away into the scenery. He's back now, adding a new dimension to an already absorbing storyline, and a note of uncertainty to the survival of Luke and Laura's marriage. It's good to see him back.

"I might have known Scott would pull a stunt like this," said Luke.

When Lee sobered up he confessed to destroying the divorce papers. When new ones were obtained, Luke and Laura and the whole of Port Charles were ready for a fabulous wedding!

Under Mrs. Wittaker's [sic] supervision, the grounds of the mayor's mansion were turned into a picture of autumn beauty, decorated with fruits, flowers, cornstalks, pumpkins and wedding bells.

The wedding party would approach through a grove of trees, along a red runway, escorted by ushers. After the ceremony, there would be an outdoor reception with food made and served by the people of Port Charles and Beecher's Corners. This included fresh fish and oysters from the waterfront and a lavish four-tiered pink wedding cake surrounded by carnations, rose and forget-me-nots. (See following story for full wedding coverage.)

Photos

Sidebar: The Wedding Vows