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Ever persistent in its attempt to lure viewers away from top-rated "As the World Turns", NBC launched this crime-mystery serial on December 30, 1968. NBC reasoned that a traditional serial wouldn't be able to compete with World Turns loyalty, so the network decided to counterprogram with a soap similar to CBS's enormously popular "The Edge of Night". To ensure success, Edge's creator and former headwriter Irving Vendig was engaged to create the new serial. The result was Hidden Faces.
Set in the law offices of pipe-smoking attorney Arthur Adams, the serial's first and only story surrounded Adams' attempts to clear the name of Dr. Katherine Logan, a surgeon who had been accused of the negligent death of a patient. As Adams and associate Nick Turner Capello investigated the incident, Adams slowly fell in love with the beautiful young surgeon.
Like "The Edge of Night", Hidden Faces was an extremely well-written, brilliantly acted serial. Early reviews were surprsingly good. An article in Variety compared the show favorably to another unusual daytime effort "Dark Shadows". In its brief, six-month run Hidden Faces managed to attract an fiercely loyal and vocal audience. Unfortunately, NBC decided to cancel when the show's Nielsen ratings never rose. Against competition like "As the World Turns", Hidden Faces never had a chance. In another timeslot, the show might have been a blockbuster hit.
December 30, 1968 - June 27, 1969
MON - FRI: 1:30 p.m. (ET)/ 12:30 (CT)
Created and Written by: IRVING VENDIG
Producer:CHARLES FISHER
CAST
Arthur Adams: CONRAD FOWKES
Dr. Katherine Logan: GRETCHEN WALTHER
Martha Logan: LOUISE SHAFFER
Nick Capello Turner: TONY LoBIANCO
Senator Robert Jaffe:JOSEPH DALY
Mimi Jaffe:RITA GAM
Allyn Jaffe:LINDA BLAIR
Mark Utley:STEPHEN JOYCE
Earl Harriman:NAT POLEN
Grace Ensley:LUDI CLAIRE
Wilbur Ensley:JOHN TOWEY