Lime Street
Encyclopedia
Lime Street is an American action/drama series
that aired on the ABC
television network during the 1985 television season. The series was created by Linda Bloodworth-Thomason
, who also served as executive producer alongside husband Harry Thomason
and series star Robert Wagner
.
. Smith, a Manchester, Maine
schoolgirl had written then-Soviet
premier Yuri Andropov
a letter asking him whether he was truly desirous of a nuclear war with the United States, as she had heard suggested by some. He wrote her a reply stating that he was not, and then invited her to visit the Soviet Union; the event, which was followed by media in both countries and elsewhere around the world, gained her fame.
Two versions of how Smith was cast into the show exists: One story states that she had caught the attention of Bloodworth-Thomason in early 1985 when the latter's brother-in-law spotted her on a talk show and suggested that she might fit the role of the elder daughter in the series, at that time known as J.G. Culver. Another suggests that Wagner, who had first seen her on The Tonight Show
, called her up, asking her to audition for the role.
Three episodes and the pilot had been shot when Smith was killed on August 25, 1985 in the crash of a small plane
belonging to Bar Harbor Airlines
. Smith's death occurred prior to any of the programs having aired, the premiere being on September 21. Although production continued, her role was never recast. Auditions were held instead for a new character, another daughter to Wagner's character, but the notion was entirely dropped. The show was subsequently dedicated to her memory.
Critical reviews on Lime Street were mixed. There was genuine praise for Smith's talents and acting ability in the few episodes she had completed. However, the series had trouble finding much of an audience, mainly due to competition from NBC's Top 30 hits The Golden Girls
and 227
. The fifth episode aired on ABC on October 26, 1985, after which the show was cancelled at the request of the producers; the episodes recorded after Smith's death having made them realize that going on with production had not been a wise decision.
However, three then-unaired episodes were shown on the Lifetime network in 1987.
Dramatic programming
Dramatic programming in the UK, or television drama and television drama series in the US, is television program content that is scripted and fictional along the lines of √a traditional drama. This excludes, for example, sports television, television news, reality show and game shows, stand-up...
that aired on the ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
television network during the 1985 television season. The series was created by Linda Bloodworth-Thomason
Linda Bloodworth-Thomason
Linda Bloodworth-Thomason is an American writer and television producer....
, who also served as executive producer alongside husband Harry Thomason
Harry Thomason
Harry Z. Thomason, , is an American film and television producer and director, best known for the television series Designing Women. Thomason and his wife, Linda Bloodworth-Thomason, are close friends of President Bill Clinton and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, and played a major...
and series star Robert Wagner
Robert Wagner
Robert John Wagner is an American actor of stage, screen, and television.A veteran of many films in the 1950s and 1960s, Wagner gained prominence in three American television series that spanned three decades: It Takes a Thief , Switch , and Hart to Hart...
.
Synopsis
The cast of Lime Street included veteran Hollywood star Robert Wagner and Samantha SmithSamantha Smith
Samantha Reed Smith was an American schoolgirl and child actress from Manchester, Maine, who became famous in the Cold War-era United States and Soviet Union...
. Smith, a Manchester, Maine
Manchester, Maine
Manchester is a town in Kennebec County, Maine, United States, located at . The population was 2,465 at the 2000 census. In the early 19th century, the town was known as "The Forks".-Geography:...
schoolgirl had written then-Soviet
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
premier Yuri Andropov
Yuri Andropov
Yuri Vladimirovich Andropov was a Soviet politician and the General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union from 12 November 1982 until his death fifteen months later.-Early life:...
a letter asking him whether he was truly desirous of a nuclear war with the United States, as she had heard suggested by some. He wrote her a reply stating that he was not, and then invited her to visit the Soviet Union; the event, which was followed by media in both countries and elsewhere around the world, gained her fame.
Two versions of how Smith was cast into the show exists: One story states that she had caught the attention of Bloodworth-Thomason in early 1985 when the latter's brother-in-law spotted her on a talk show and suggested that she might fit the role of the elder daughter in the series, at that time known as J.G. Culver. Another suggests that Wagner, who had first seen her on The Tonight Show
The Tonight Show
The Tonight Show is an American late-night talk show that has aired on NBC since 1954. It is the longest currently running regularly scheduled entertainment program in the United States, and the third longest-running show on NBC, after Meet the Press and Today.The Tonight Show has been hosted by...
, called her up, asking her to audition for the role.
Three episodes and the pilot had been shot when Smith was killed on August 25, 1985 in the crash of a small plane
Bar Harbor Airlines Flight 1808
Bar Harbor Airlines Flight 1808 was a scheduled flight from Logan International Airport to Bangor International Airport in the United States on August 25, 1985. On final approach to Auburn/Lewiston Municipal Airport, the plane crashed short of the runway, killing all six passengers and two crew on...
belonging to Bar Harbor Airlines
Bar Harbor Airlines
Bar Harbor Airlines was a comparatively large commuter airline headquartered at Bar Harbor Airport in Trenton, Maine and later in Houston, Texas.- Early history :...
. Smith's death occurred prior to any of the programs having aired, the premiere being on September 21. Although production continued, her role was never recast. Auditions were held instead for a new character, another daughter to Wagner's character, but the notion was entirely dropped. The show was subsequently dedicated to her memory.
Critical reviews on Lime Street were mixed. There was genuine praise for Smith's talents and acting ability in the few episodes she had completed. However, the series had trouble finding much of an audience, mainly due to competition from NBC's Top 30 hits The Golden Girls
The Golden Girls
The Golden Girls is an American sitcom created by Susan Harris, which originally aired on NBC from September 14, 1985, to May 9, 1992. Starring Bea Arthur, Betty White, Rue McClanahan and Estelle Getty, the show centers on four older women sharing a home in Miami, Florida...
and 227
227 (TV series)
227 is an American situation comedy that originally aired on NBC from September 14, 1985, until May 6, 1990. The series starred Marla Gibbs as a sharp-tongued, inner-city resident gossip and housewife, Mary Jenkins...
. The fifth episode aired on ABC on October 26, 1985, after which the show was cancelled at the request of the producers; the episodes recorded after Smith's death having made them realize that going on with production had not been a wise decision.
However, three then-unaired episodes were shown on the Lifetime network in 1987.
Cast
- Robert Wagner as James Greyson Culver
- Lew AyresLew AyresLew Ayres was an American actor, best known for starring as Paul in All Quiet on the Western Front and for playing Dr...
as Henry Wade Culver - Samantha Smith as Elizabeth Culver
- Maia BrewtonMaia BrewtonMaia Luisa Brewton is an American actress who enjoyed success in the late 1980s and early 1990s.Brewton was born in Los Angeles, California...
as Margaret Ann Culver - Julie Fulton as Celia Wesphal
- Anne HaneyAnne HaneyAnne Haney was an American actress, perhaps best known for her roles as social worker Mrs. Sellner in Mrs. Doubtfire, Greta the secretary in Liar Liar, and for her unique, low-octave voice.-Career:...
as Evelyn Camp - Patrick MacneePatrick MacneePatrick Macnee is an English actor, best known for his role as the secret agent John Steed in the series The Avengers.-Early life:...
as Sir Geoffrey Rimbatten - John StandingJohn StandingSir John Ronald Leon Standing, 4th Baronet is an English actor.-Early life:Standing was born John Ronald Leon in London, the son of Kay Hammond , an actress, and Sir Ronald George Leon, a stockbroker...
as Edward Wingate
Episodes
| Episode # | Episode title | Original airdate |
|---|---|---|
| 1-1 | Pilot | September 21, 1985 |
| 1-2 | "The Mystery of Flight 401" | September 28, 1985 |
| 1-3 | "The Wayward Train" | October 5, 1985 |
| 1-4 | "Diamonds Aren't Forever" | October 12, 1985 |
| 1-5 | "Old Pilots Never Die" | October 26, 1985 |
| 1-6 | "Swiss Watch and Wait" | 1987 |
| 1-7 | "Treasure Hunt" | 1987 |
| 1-8 | "The Three Million Dollar Spirit" | 1987 |
Further reading
- Brooks, Tim and Marsh, Earle, The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV ShowsThe Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV ShowsThe Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946-Present is a trade paperback reference work by the American television researchers Tim Brooks and Earle Marsh, first published by Ballantine Books in 1979. The ninth edition came out in 2007...
, ISBN 0-345-45542-8