+ “This is Nora Drake,” a 15 minute, 11:00am weekdays, NBC & CBS soap opera, was broadcast from Oct. 27, 1947 thru Jan. 02, 1959. 1947 thru 1949, Nora aired on NBC; 1948 thru 1949 it was concurrent on CBS; after 1949, ‘Nora’ aired at 2:30pm weekdays, CBS only. * Resident of a mid-sized American town, Nora Drake was a nurse - and later, departmental supervisor on staff at ‘Page Memorial Hospital.’ She was a disciplined, hardworking, community-work oriented, problem-solving woman who always gave sound advice regarding household & child rearing issues, to those in need. ACTORS: Three women held the role of Nora Drake: Charlotte Holland (1947-1949) Joan Tompkins (1949-1957) & Mary Jane Higby (1957-1959); Alan Hewitt portrayed Nora’s love interest, Ken Martinson; both Everett Sloane & Ralph Bell played the part of Nora’s ‘lost’ father, Alfred Drake. Peggy King Martinson’s role also was held by 3 women: Lesley Woods, Mercedes McCambridge & Joan Alexander; Roger DeKoven was Andrew King & Larry Haines played gambler, Fred Molina. The part of Charles Dobbs, Assistant DA who had prosecuted Alfred Drake, was held by Grant Richards; Joan Lorring held the meaty role of Dobbs’s 18-year old ward, Suzanne Turrie, who fell in love with her guardian. Irene Hubbard played Rose Fuller and finally, Dick York (first Darren on TV’s “Bewitched”) carried the role of Russ McClure, boyfriend to Nora’s acquaintance, Grace Sargent. SPONSORS: This Is Nora Drake was directed by Arthur Hanna and both Bill Cullen (of “I’ve Got A Secret”) and Ken Roberts were program announcers. (SOURCE: On the air: the encyclopedia of old-time radio) SYNOPSIS: There never seemed to be enough unattached men to go around in soap operas. The heroines who were single, virginal and looking for a mate seemed incessantly drawn to experienced suitors who had been married at least once. Some of those gentlemen still were attached. If that situation didn't prevail at the inception of a serial, in due time it frequently occurred. Such was the case of Nora Drake, a career-oriented professional who could have had her pick of many eligible bachelors. She had the misfortune to fall in love with Dr. Ken Martinson, who -- in a moment of haste -- put her aside to marry nurse Peggy King. Peggy turned his life into misery maximized. Nora pined for Ken to obtain the divorce that Peggy told him he'd get over her dead body, setting in motion a waiting game; fans were sure the outcome would one day arrive. On the way there, the serial gave new meaning to the old adage: 'Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.' Peggy Martinson acted as did so many other serial troublemakers faced with similar prospects, believing her lot on earth was to dish out as much agony for "the other woman" as she could. Her target would seldom have a moment's rest. Only when nurse Nora went after some other men did Peggy let up. When those pursuits didn't pan out, the pressure resumed. In the end Peggy got hers, falling victim to an assassin's intent. Though it took five years, it was only a question of time. Getting there was what made it all so compelling. Click here to read more about Nora Drake, This Is