Faraway Hill
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Faraway Hill was the first soap opera broadcast on an American television network, running on the DuMont Television Network from October 2, 1946 to December 18, 1946. David P. Lewis, the writer and director, had a budget of around $300 an episode. For many years A Woman to Remember was considered the first soap opera, but actually debuted in 1949.
The show's plot revolved around a widowed New Yorker, Karen St. John (played by Flora Campbell), who moved to a small town to be near relatives. There she met a man who had been adopted by her family, and with whom she fell in love. However, he was already engaged to another woman. In addition, there were clashes between the sophisticated St. John and her rural relatives.
Other actors included Mel Brandt and Julie Christy (not to be confused with Julie Christie).
The half-hour show was broadcast live, although filmed excerpts were interspersed. A narrator gave Karen's thoughts as bridges between scenes.