Inroduction
"Very few television viewers in the year 1963 could have predicted that a daytime serial entitled Genral Hospital would become the tremendous sucess it has been during the past 33 years.
After all, the ABC Network had been struggling for years to develop and televise a daytime soap, one which the viewing public could have a love affair with a cling to year after year.
That struggle finally ended when the highly respected and talented writing couple, Frank and Doris Hursley, delivered a pilot script to ABC second to none. It was the sort of script that when submitted to me to test for the role of Dr.Steve Hardy, sent my pulse racing. I, myself had always been a soap fan, and now came the opportunity to star in one!
It was not one of my accustomed roles. It was not the part of a gangster, not the part of a cop, not the part of a cowboy; it was a part close to my heart, the part of a down-to-earth doctor who cared deeply, not only for his patients, but for his fellowman as well.
Whomsoever had the opportunity to view that initial General Hospital episode on April 1, 1963, will most certainly attest to how well-produced it was.
The magic that captured my heart way back then went on to capture the hearts of 3 generations of viewers. And today, 8, 560 episodes later, amidst new faces, new producers, new writers, and a whole new legion of fans, the magic continues."
~John Beradino