The dramatic series "Guiding Light" is the creation of American cinema. It was broadcast on the air since 1937 and first appeared on blue screens in 1952. The final series were released in 2009. It is worth noting that during its existence the project was nominated 375 times for various Prizes, 98 of them were very successful.
"Guiding light" on the air
The authorship of radio shows belongs to former American teacher Irna Phillips. After completing her teaching career, she plunged headlong into work on the radio. The main activity was writing scripts for small radio shows.
The initial duration of the ether was 15 minutes. After some time, the duration reached an hour.
Thorny path to blue screens
Irna's talent helped the series switch to television screens and settle in the minds and souls of viewers for a long time. The path was long and thorny. The first series were shot several times on the same film. This was dictated by inadequate funding. Therefore, some points have not survived to the present.
Watching a movie from the first series, you can contemplate the development of cinema. Initially, the picture was black and white. After a while, the image took on color. Progress has touched not only pictures, but also sound design. Stereo sound gives you extra comfort when watching a series
All for the Spectators and Guinness Book of Records
During the work on the series "Guiding Light" the actors literally related to their characters. For 57 years, they starred in more than 15 thousand series. The project hit the Guinness Book of Records as the longest series shown on television.
The duration of each series is 60 minutes, therefore, you can fully see the series no earlier than in a year and a half. At the same time, you will have to spend on viewing 24 hours a day. But to spend all the time at the blue screen is impossible. Therefore, it will take much longer to watch the movie.
The plot of the series "Guiding Light"
According to the actors who starred in the series “Guiding Light”, the description of the series boils down to the main idea embedded in the plot. The light that was visible in the priest’s window never faded. He attracted lost souls. The city in which the events take place was fictional.
Subsequently, it becomes boring for the audience to follow the life of one person. In order not to lose the audience and develop the plot, the authors introduce additional characters. From this point on, the film tells the story of the lives of three families in the city of Springfield, which is also fictional.
Even in the days of broadcasting on the radio, the project attracted great attention. This was made possible thanks to the raising of such highly social topics as:
- pregnancy of minors;
- alcoholism;
- cancer.
It is worth noting that previously these topics were bypassed. They tried not to touch them in order to show a beautiful fairy tale, and not the real life of people.
Kevin Bacon's first big role
Not all actors involved in the series “Guiding Light” could boast a large list of regalia and roles. Some actors began their career precisely with work in this project. One of them was Kevin Bacon. For a year, he worked in the series, playing the role of a teenager. His hero T. D. Werner is not a role model, because he did not hesitate to drink alcohol and was a member of almost all offenses in the state.
Having finished work in the series in 1981, the actor did not sink into oblivion. He continued to work for the benefit of himself and American cinema, and now has achieved considerable success. Kevin starred in many famous films:
- Apollo 13
- X-Men: First Class
- Frost vs. Nixon;
- "This stupid love."
This is not a complete list of his works. Thanks to his talent and capacity for work, Kevin Bacon can be proud of the star laid in honor of him on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Paul Wesley 's debut in cinema
In 1999, the film "Guiding Light", the actors and roles of which were already remembered and loved by the audience, needed fresh strength. Scriptwriters introduced a new character. His role was played by Paul Wesley. Get a role in the series for him was a real success. At the time of filming, he was 17 years old.
A high school student came to the casting in the series "Guiding Light", whose actors already shone on the blue screens of the country. What was his joy when it turned out that he was suitable for the role of Max Nickerson.
For the sake of working in the series, he had to leave his native school and transfer to the Lakewood Prep in Howell. The need for translation was due to the fact that studying in a new school made it possible to combine the lessons and career of an actor. Paul worked on the series until 2001.
During this time, he managed to finish the semester at Rutgers University College, where he entered in 2000. The training did not last long due to fallen fame. The directors noticed him. After receiving several roles, the actor decided that further education is not necessary.
For his role in the series, Paul Wesley receives the YoungStar Awards as "Best Young Actor on Daily TV Series."
Matt Bomer in the series Guiding Light
After graduation, Matt Bomer moved to New York, where he attended various auditions and auditions. Among others was the selection for the film "Guiding Light". Actors of the series by that time became the darlings of the public, and even Matt himself. After casting, the actor joined the movie family for three years.
The process of filming took almost all the time and the actor’s strength. Therefore, Matt had to quit working part-time. He served as a courier in one of the twin towers. Thus, we can say that the series saved his life. Indeed, the dismissal occurred shortly before the sad events of September 11th.
In addition, the series brought the actor first popularity. She positively affected his future work. He began to be invited to other projects.
Guiding Light - A Little Life
They lived a small life while the film “Guiding Light” was shot, actors. The roles performed by them did not go unnoticed by viewers. Most of the actors spent on the site for more than one year.
During the filming of the film, they did not just become a team. The actors became related and became one. It is unlikely that any of them regrets that he once agreed to participate in the project.
American actress Beth Chamberlain spent 20 years working in the series. The award for the role of Beth Bauer was the nomination for the Daily Emmy Award. The actress worked in the project from 1989 until its closure in 2009.
Robert Newman and Kevin Bacon starred in the film. Their work on the series lasted 25 years. For Kevin Bacon, it was, we repeat, the debut movie work.
The last role of Mary Stuart
Filming in the series "Guiding Light", the actors did not always begin their careers. For the famous American actress and singer Mary Stuart, the role in the series was the last. The beginning of the career of the actress dates back to 1940. Starting with episodic roles, she did not give up and achieved popularity.
The actress gave the project "Guiding Light" the last 6 years of her life. Mary died in 2002.
Kim Zimmer and James Earl Jones in the series "Guiding Light"
Actress Kim Zimmer owes the series Guiding Light three Emmy Awards. She was recognized as the best female actor in a drama series in 1985, 1987 and 1990. Kim came to the series in 1983 and starred until 1990. After a five-year break, she returned to the series. Kim left the project only in 2009 due to its closure.
It is hard to imagine, but actor James Earl Jones, famous for the voice acting of Mufasa in the animated films The Lion King and Garfield and Darth Vader in the cult film Star Wars, also could not get past the series. He worked in it in 1966. It is also interesting that he became the first African American to whom he was entrusted with playing a non-episodic role in the series.
In 2009, the audience’s interest in the film significantly faded. In this regard, it was decided to complete the project. For 57 years, the creators of the Guiding Light project captivated the minds of viewers. Actors and roles in it remained in the memory and hearts of the audience for many years. Nowadays, anyone can find the series on the Internet and enjoy watching.