Congratulations to GUIDING LIGHT, which premiered on TV 70 years ago!
Although the soap began as an NBC radio series in 1937, it was transferred to CBS Radio in 1947 and aired on television on June 30, 1952. During its combined 72 years on radio and television, GL became one of the longest-running programs in broadcast history.
During those years, viewers flocked to Springfield daily to follow the ongoing drama of the Bauer, Reardon, Spaulding and Lewis families and were enthralled by the romances of supercouples like Josh and Reva, Danny and Michelle, and Beth and Phillip. Though the lights were sadly out when CBS aired the final episode of GL in 2009, the show will live on forever in the hearts of its fans.
Relive the glory days of the popular soap with this gallery of some of its classic moments!
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Mario Ruiz/CBS via Getty Images
Carita Bauer as Bert Bauer on the set of Cedars Hospital, circa 1981.
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CBS via Getty Images
Kevin Bacon (Tim) and Kristen Vigard (Morgan) on location in 1980.
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CBS via Getty Images
Tom Neilsen (Floyd), Lisa Brown (Nola) and John Wesley Shipp (Kelly) in 1980.
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CBS via Getty Images
Michael Tylo (Quint), Maeve Kinkaid (Vanessa), William Roerick (Henry), Christopher Bernau (Alan) in 1983.
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CBS via Getty Images
The 1982 wedding of Jane Elliot’s Carrie and Jerry ver Dorn’s Ross.
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CBS via Getty Images
Lisa Brown (Nola) and Michael Tylo (Quint) in one of their famous fantasy sequences circa 1982.
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CBS via Getty Images
A Spaulding family photo with Grant Aleksanders Phillip, Elvera Roussels Hope (with baby Alan-Michael), Christopher Bernaus Alan and Kathleen Cullens Amanda.
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CBS via Getty Images
Vincent Irizarry (Lujack) on location in 1985.
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Raeanne Rubenstein/CBS via Getty Images
“The Four Musketeers”: Mindy from Krista Tesreau, Phillip from Grant Aleksander, Beth from Judi Evans and Rick from Michael O’Leary dressed for the 1983 prom.
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CBS via Getty Images
Kim Zimmer (Reva) and Robert Newman (Josh) in a passionate on-set scene in 1988.
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EJ Carr/CBS via Getty Images
Melissa Hayden (Bridget), Jeff Phillips (Hart) and Jocelyn Seagrave (Julie).
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Cliff Lipson/CBS Photo Archives via Getty Images
Bradley Cole (Richard) and Laura Wright (Cassie).
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Lorenzo Bevilaqua / PGP
Paul Anthony Stewart (Danny), Nancy St. Alban (Michelle) and Peter Simon (Ed) at the annual Bauer Barbecue in 2003.
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Lorenzo Bevilaqua / PGP
Marty West (Shayne), Robert Newman (Josh) and Kim Zimmer (Reva) in 2003.
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George De Sota/jpistudios.com
Ricky Paull Golden (Gus) and Beth Ehlers (Harley) in 2007.
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George De Sota/jpistudios.com
Jessica Leccia’s Natalia and Crystal Chappel’s Olivia realize their feelings in 2008.
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George De Sota/jpistudios.com
Robert Newman (Josh) and Kim Zimmer (Reva) pose for a photo in front of a famous lighthouse in the final episode.
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John Paschal/jpistudios.com
Final Cast Photo – Back Row: Murray Bartlett (Cyrus), Yvonna Kopacz (Mel), Jeff Branson (Shayne), Lawrence Saint-Victor (Remy), Karla Mosley (Christina), Gina Tognoni (Dinah), Bradley Cole (Jeffrey ) , Kim Zimmer (Reva), Robert Newman (Josh), Crystal Chappell (Olivia), Jessica Leccia (Natalia), EJ Bonilla (Rafe), Marcy Rylan (Lizzie), John Driscoll (Coop), Tina Sloan (Lillian), Jordan Clarke (Billy) and Marj Dusay (Alexandra). Middle row: Orlagh Cassidy (Doris), Robert Bogue (Mallet), Mandy Bruno (Marina), Frank Dicopoulos (Frank), Grant Aleksander (Phillip), Daniel Cosgrove (Bill), Maeve Kinkead (Vanessa), Kurt McKinney (Matt) , and Ron Raines (Alan). Front row: Caitlin Van Zandt (Ashlee), Bonnie Dennison (Daisy), Elizabeth Keifer (Blake), Beth Chamberlin (Beth) and Michael O’Leary (Rick).
