1995 (?) - Source (?), Feature on Past Soap Stories

Hutch, Hitmen And Summers On The Run

SOAP: GENERAL HOSPITAL
KEY CHARACTERS: Luke Spencer and Laura Baldwin
UNIQUE APPEAL: Luke and Laura's first summer on the run took them to Beecher's Corners, a sleep little farm community that wasn't exactly Glitzville, U.S.A. In retrospect, the whole bucolic interlude seems tame. Let's face it: necking in the hayloft can't compete with searching for the Ice Princess or excavating Aztec treasure. But this innocent love-on-the-lam stuff had real magic.
IN THE BEGINNING: Luke copped out on marrying Frank Smith's daughter, Jennifer, so the crime lord put a price on his head. Luke and Laura skipped town (but first spent a night dancing to the tune of Fascination in Wyndham's department store--wouldn't you? After doing all kinds of bizarro world capers (like dressing up as French hairdressers), they settled down (incognito) on the Whittaker farm in Beecher's Corners. They were pursued by Hutch the hitman and another hired gun, a drag queen named Sally/Max. Ultimately, a shoot-out took place, Mac died, Hutch was critically injured, Luke decoded Frank Smith's incriminating little black book, the mob went to jail and Luke and Laura safely returned to Port Charles.
AFTERSHOCKS: This HART TO HART-style summer sizzler started a real trend. Quicker than you could say, "Luke, Laura, and the Left-Handed Boy," TEXAS's Jeb and Elena were on the lam, and ONE LIFE's Marco and Karen were grandstanding their way across America, fighting crime.
LATEST ROUND: Will it never end? Fourteen years--and two kids--later, Mr. and Mrs. Spencer are still dodging bullets and trying to find at least one room in their house that hasn't been hotwired for destruction.


1995 (?) - Source (?), Feature on GH

The Spencers: Laura, Luke, Lucky, and Lesley Lu (L-R: Genie Francis, Anthony Geary, Jonathan Jackson and Kerianne/Amanda Harrington)


1995 (?) - Source (?), Feature on Soap Weddings

The couple's wedding was the most-watched daytime soap episode ever. Luke (Tony Geary) and Laura (Genie Francis) celebrated with all of their Port Charles friends--and Laura's errant ex-husband, Scotty.

Laura Baldwin and Luke Spencer
GENERAL HOSPITAL

It was hardly love at first sight for the Port Charles couple that wound up having the most-publicized, most-watched wedding in daytime history. Laura and Luke started off improbably: She was a sheltered newlywed, waiting tables at a disco to put her hubby (and high school sweetheart) Scott through law school; he was the manager of the disco, a gun-toting amateur mobster who raped Laura one night when the pressures of organized crime grew too heavy to bear.

Despite the obvious stumbling blocks, Laura's feelings for Luke started to thaw as his gentle nature seeped through the cracks in his anti-hero facade. Their love for one another blossomed when Luke, who was being blackmailed into marrying Mafia princess Jennifer Smith, was presumed drowned after falling off a yacht; Laura found him washed ashore downstream, and they embarked on the first of the love-on-the-run capers that would become their trademark.

The ceremony took place on November 16, 1981, on the grounds of a beautiful, 17th-century French chateau. The groom arrived in a blood-red 1909 Studebaker. It was big....

[Ed. Note: This blurb continues on the next page, which I don't have.]


February 7, 1995 - Soap Opera Update, "'95 Sweeps Preview: Fantastic February"

GENERAL HOSPITAL

The power that Sonny wields attracts people to Luke's club that alternately alarm and attract both Sonny and Luke. Will the double life that Sonny leads push Brenda out of the picture? Will Luke resists the temptation to get involved in the undercurrent for the sake of his family?...


February 7, 1995 - Soap Opera Update, "Tour of Duty"

This photo appeared in a set of photos of Stephen Kay, who, without a dressing room of his own, stays in other people's--whomever's not working that day.

Anthony Geary portrays Luke

The upbeat, and usually loud, music blaring from Anthony Geary's room is a surprise to Stephen. "I can't believe that with all of Tony's success, he hasn't bought a different tape player. The front of the cassette player is broken, and it looks like he has the same old tape in it from the first day he bought it--before the artist formerly known as Prince wanted to be known as the artist formerly known as Prince," says Stephen.

"Luke likes Reginald--he's cool," explains Geary, who then ponders the question of what he would do if gifted with Reginald's services for a day. "I don't know what I'd do with Reginald other than maybe send him out to wash my car."


February 7, 1995 - SOU Digest - "The Hottest Stories"

GENERAL HOSPITAL
Lois Surprises Everyone!

Katherine sets Lucy up with a potentially disastrous corporate problem, and the two eventually come to blows. As Luke prepares to open his club, outsiders threaten to ruin everything. While trying to uncover some stolen property, Luke makes a surprising discovery about Sonny. Lois makes a big impression on Katherine at the Outback! Mary Mae and Edward find new meaning to their relationship as they experience Justus' development in the community. When Lily offers some advice to Sonny, Brenda isn't pleased. Robin and Stone grow emotionally closer, as they face her choice of colleges and that she might eventually leave Port Charles.

VCR ALERT: FEB. 6

Stone and Robin flee from Mac's fury!


1995 (?) - DTV (?), "Summer Previews" (?)

[Ed. Note: caption incomplete]


1995 (?) - DTV (?), "Best & Worst" (?)

GH's LAURA & LUKE
Luke (Anthony Geary) wanted Laura (Genie Francis) as soon as he saw her; even though she was married to Scotty Baldwin. Laura and Luke went on the run to evade the threats of mob boss, Frank Smith. They eventually found their way back to town, and after getting a quickie Mexican divorce from Scotty, Laura returned to Port Charles and she and Luke were married. Luck was not to be on their side, for Frank Smith soon found the duo and they ran to Texas where they were temporarily safe. They continued to move until landing in Canada, where they were running a diner and raising their ten year-old son, Lucky. Frank soon found them again, and the trio fled once again to Port Charles.


1995 (?) - DTV (?), "Sentimental Journey" (?)

From an article on Lynn Herring and the Puerto Rican location shoot:

Lynn enjoyed working with her fellow actors, including Anthony Geary (Luke) during the remote in Puerto Rico, but she was most happy off-camera revisiting her childhood stomping grounds.


1995 (?) - DTV (?), "'We Were In The Neighborhood'"

From a photo spread of soap opera guest stars:

Everyone loves the soaps, including some of the biggest names in the entertainment business! Who can forget Elizabeth Taylor's memorable appearance at the General Hospital event of the decade, Luke and Laura's wedding?...

General Hospital's Luke (Anthony Geary) needed to get the goods on his nemesis, Frank Smith, so he looked up Jennifer, Frank's daughter and Luke's former flame, in hopes of getting some information. When Luke last saw Jennifer, she was a quiet, demure little wallflower, but she grew up to be a loud, brash wild woman, and who better to play her than Roseanne! Tony and co-star Genie Francis (Laura) guested on the hit ABC sitcom, Roseanne, and this was her way of returning the favor!


1995 (?) - DTV (?), "Win! Win! Win!"

From an advertisement/contest for the ABC videotapes, including "Luke and Laura, The Greatest Love of All: Volume Two, which features General Hospital's most popular pair, played by Anthony Geary and Genie Francis, during their infamous Ice Princess escapade right up to the present":

1. On General Hospital, what blonde B-movie actress did Luke and Laura befriend on the Cassadine island?

3. On GH, who were the two people who froze to death when Luke locked them in the ice chamber?

5. On GH, how did Luke and Laura get to the Cassadine island and who was their traveling companion?


1995 - Soap Opera Weekly, "Moonlighting"

This photo comes from a blurb about Tony and Genie hosting Before They Were Stars on ABC, May 15, 1995.


1995 - Soap Opera Weekly, from the updates

From the preview: "Luke makes Lucky face the music, saving Emily from getting into trouble."

The review: "A.J. considered telling Lois the truth about the accident to get Ned off his back. Justus and Simone rejected Laura's idea that they have a public reconciliation. Emily helped Lucky get out of his debt to Harper. Bobbie tried to clear her conscience at B.J.'s grave. Jason severed all family ties. Mac subtly warned Kevin about Jax. Damian took an emotional beating from Edward and a literal one from Mac; he later helped Lucky escape when thugs were teaching him a lesson about his gambling debt. Brenda tricked Jax into staying around. Jason regretted not returning Robin's feelings when she had a crush on him. Luke and Laura forced Lucky to tell the truth about his troubles. Bobbie blasted Damian on TV. Katherine's PR ideas won Justus over. Bobbie's recurring dream made her question her sanity."

Caption: Luke forces Lucky to own up to his crime on GH.


1995 - Soap Opera Weekly

These blurbs come from a feature designed for those picking up General Hospital as a new soap.

Luke Spencer: Husband of Laura, whom he seduced/raped many years ago when he was manager of the Campus Disco. Recently shot to death longtime nemesis Frank Smith. Just opened Luke's, a blues club.

What's Happening

MONICA, HAD A MASTECTOMY several months ago and underwent chemotherapy; she had a recurrence of the cancer and is at a Wellness Community in Arizona, undergoing further medical treatment and counseling. She finally agreed to let Alan join her there, but they both are having a tough time dealing with her illness and its impact on their marriage. At the center, Monica has befriended Page and her young daughter, Emily, who will become an important part of Monica's life.

Back in Port Charles, the rest of the Quartermaines are dealing with the implications of Edward's long-ago affair with Mary Mae, and the fact that Justus is his grandson. That doesn't thrill Ned or A.J., especially, since they're already in a heated competition to be favorite grandson and have the most power in the family business. There is also some concern among the Wards and Quartermaines that history may repeat itself, since Keesha and Jason's romance appears to be serious. Ned, who just reconciled with Lois, is on a leave of absence as ELQ CEO, and he is pursuing his singing career full time. L&B is also busy putting together a music video for Miguel, in which Lily and Brenda will appear.

The more involved Brenda gets in Sonny's life, the more she's realizing how complicated--and dangerous--it could be. Although she doesn't yet know he's taken over Frank Smith's mob operation (with silent partner Damian), the arrival of his estranged father, Mike, and his former mentor, Joe Scully, are unsettling. Sonny's ties also pose a serious threat to Luke's club and, by association, to Luke and Laura's marriage, since she wants Luke to steer clear of anything that could put the family in danger. It's already too late, because unbeknownst to Luke, the mob has made inroads at the club, via Mike and Joe.

Tony and Bobbie are still struggling to put their marriage back together, with the help of Kevin, whose romance with Lucy would be just about perfect if not for Katherine's desire to ruin Lucy, and Ryan's plot to escape from prison and seek revenge against Kevin.

Mac's worse fear has become reality now that Robin and Stone have slept together. Felicia will return to town shortly, to give birth to her and Frisco's second child.

Tom Hardy is about to return to Port Charles, too. His stay will be brief, and his departure should clear the path for Simone and Justus to act on their feelings for each other.

Foster and Annabelle acted on theirs, and the birth of their puppies promises to intensify the conflict between Edward and the Spencers.

Lily and Miguel, in the throes of planning their wedding, are revealing their identities to their son's adoptive parents.

The mob's foothold at Luke's could wreak havoc on the Spencer family.


1995 - Soap Opera Weekly, "The News"

COUNTDOWN TO THE STING
Mike joins the team to bring down Scully on GH

Luke calls in Mike (above fight) to get Scully out of Port Charles and Sonny's (above left) life.

AS LUKE, SONNY AND LUCY PUT THE FINISHing touches on their plan to nail Scully this week on General Hospital, Mike becomes a major player in the sting. It is Luke who offers to bring him on board, as his backup, and Mike jumps at the chance: He's made no secret of the fact that he detests Scully, and he also sees this as a way to prove himself to his son. The situation doesn't turn out quite as Mike had hoped, however, because Sonny refuses to cut him any slack.

"I think Mike's primary objective when Luke includes him in this is that he has a chance to come through and do something to get on the good side of his son, finally; to let Sonny know he's not going to run away," explains Ron Hale (Mike). "What I'm discovering for myself is that in a strange way Mike's relationship with Sonny becomes secondary in this situation. What happens is that Sonny keeps carping at Mike; right in front of Mike, but as if Mike isn't even there, Sonny asks Luke how he can trust Mike and tells Luke he's putting his head in a noose having Mike as part of the operation. Basically, Mike just stands there and takes it, and even when he tells Sonny he's wrong, he's pretty passive about it. But I think Mike gets to the point after Sonny just dumps and dumps on him that he's finally going to say, 'Screw you, kid. Luke wants me here. I owe him a lot. I like Luke. He's trusting me. And I'm in this deal with Luke and what you think of me, be damned.' That's the feeling I'm getting."

Hale says the shift in Luke and Mike's relationship, from antagonism to friendship, makes perfect sense, since the two men are more alike than either of them initially thought. "Luke's said, 'OK, you're a loser, you've done all this crap, you're a shyster--and it takes one to know one.' I think that's why he kind of likes Mike and helps him, and this becomes Mike's way of paying him back." --LINDA SUSMAN


June 27, 1995 - Soap Opera Update

GH's Anthony Geary (Luke) and Genie Francis (Laura) surrounded Emmy winner Jonathan Jackson (Lucky).


July 11, 1995 - Soap Opera Update, "Trade Secrets"

From The Secret Files Of...Anthony Geary (Luke, GENERAL HOSPITAL)
Born on May 29 in Coalville, Utah (population: 800), he was a Presidential Award Scholar at the University of Utah, where he was discovered by Jack Albertson (of CHICO AND THE MAN fame) and cast in "The Subject was Roses. Musical theater roles followed, including a stint with Sid Caesar and Imogene Coca in "Your Show of Shows" at the Frontier Hotel in Las Vegas. Before he landed the role of Luke on GH, Geary appeared on THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS as George Curtis. In 1981, his work as Luke earned him a Daytime Emmy Award as Outstanding Actor in A Drama Series. Between stints as Luke, Geary played Spencer's cousin Bill on GH.


July 25, 1995 - Soap Opera Update

This photo appeared in a selection of photos from the 1995 Nurses' Ball.

Mary Mae (Rosalind Cash) was backed-up by grandson Justus (Joseph C. Phillips), and good friends Lucky and Luke Spencer. What was the surprise performance of the event? "Tony Geary (Luke) and Jonathan Jackson (Lucky) doing hip-hop," says Francesca James. "t was fabulous. I just stood back watching Geary take the stage."


October 1995 - Soap Opera Special, Updates

GENERAL HOSPITAL

Stone has been fighting for the respect of the town ever since he was diagnosed with HIV. Robin can't believe that the only person she has ever loved might be taken away from her, and blames those closest to her for Stone's condition. It's a tragic story with seemingly no end in sight! Brenda finally gets her wish from Sonny. He's made himself into an established businessman and he's ready to make a full-term commitment. But, just when he's ready to tell Brenda everything he feels, she has a change of heart! Brother against brother is still the tale between Jason and A.J. after this summer's torrid triangle involving Keesha. Fans are rooting for both brothers to unite once again, but it looks like it just isn't so! This rivalry is only the beginning of a long and arduous story that just may split the Quartermaine clan up for good! While Luke and Laura are in no danger of breaking up, they are still in continuous danger from outside forces looking to annihilate Luke! Laura finally puts her foot down and gives Luke an ultimatum--get out of the underworld business or she's gone for good! Bliss is not to occur in the union of Ned and Lois. They may have more passion for each other than the average duo, but they (continued on page 25) [Ed. Note: Sorry, I don't have page 25.]


October 1995 - Soap Opera Special, Back Cover


November 28, 1995 - Soap Opera Update, "ABC Inside Info"

The following photo ran with an blurb about Jonathan Jackson winning The Hollywood Reporter's YoungStar Award in the first annual ceremony. Kimberly McCullough (Robin) also won; GH was the only show to win multiple awards.

Luke & Lucky (Anthony Geary & Jonathan Jackson)

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