Santa Barbara (1984–1993)

In Santa Barbara, California, the fascinating and tumultuous life of the rich Capwells around who gravitate other families, from the Lockridges, the rival family, to the Andrades or the ... See full summary »

Creators:

Bridget Dobson, Jerome Dobson

Stars:

A Martinez, Marcy Walker, Lane Davies

45 wins & 113 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
A Martinez	...	Cruz Castillo (743 episodes, 1984-1992)
Marcy Walker	...	Eden Capwell (667 episodes, 1984-1989)
Lane Davies	...	Mason Capwell (656 episodes, 1984-1989)
Judith McConnell	...	Sophia Capwell (481 episodes, 1984-1993)
Nancy Lee Grahn	...	Julia Wainwright (467 episodes, 1985-1993)
Robin Wright	...	Kelly Capwell Perkins (453 episodes, 1984-1988)
Todd McKee	...	Ted Capwell (450 episodes, 1984-1989)
Jed Allan	...	C.C. Capwell (395 episodes, 1986-1993)
Robin Mattson	...	Gina Capwell (379 episodes, 1985-1993)
Nicolas Coster	...	Lionel Lockridge (307 episodes, 1984-1993)

Storyline

In Santa Barbara, California, the fascinating and tumultuous life of the rich Capwells around who gravitate other families, from the Lockridges, the rival family, to the Andrades or the Perkins, more modest families but which destinies know the same torments.

---

Plot Keywords:

barbara | santa barbara california | soap opera | nun

---

Genres:

Drama

---

Certificate:

TV-PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

30 July 1984 (USA)

Also Known As:

California Clan

Filming Locations:

Burbank, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Dobson Productions, New World Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

45 min 45 min (2123 episodes) 60 min (2137 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono (1984-1987) Stereo (1987-1993)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

When the characters of Cuz and Eden were expecting a child an audience poll was conducted to see what name they would like the child to be given. Two boys names and two girls names were given. In the end they had a girl and the child was named Adriana.

---

Quotes

Julia Wainwright Capwell: No, Gracie, you can't push yet! Not 'til the baby's head's out!
Mason: Julia, if the woman wants to push...
Julia Wainwright Capwell: What'd you do, get a uterus for Christmas?

---

Connections

Referenced in Moskovskiye kanikuly (1995)

User Reviews

A well-done soap opera

I have good memories of this daytime serial, which debuted in Australia in 1987, when I was in high school. Even though the later years of the show were unwatchable, when the head writers in the early years were Bridget and Jerome Dobson, it was simply magical. I remember well the beautiful romances of Kelly and Joe (Robin Wright and Dane Witherspoon), the high-camp aristocratic antics of Augusta and Lionel (Louise Sorel and Nicolas Coster) and, and best of all, the heavenly romance between ex-nun Mary and the hard-bitten, cynical Mason (Harley Kozak and Lane Davies). This storyline in particular was brilliantly acted, movingly written, and thoroughly touching. Mason's transformation into a more sympathetic character through his love affair with Mary was wonderfully handled.

It is a shame that the programme is no longer on the air, but if it had firmer handling, it may have caught on and built a substantial audience. All it needed was more story consistency, and some more appealing love stories to hook the audience. SANTA BARBARA's penchant for the quick fix, and inability to give its actors stable storylines may have contributed to its undoing. Anyway, I hope that the show one day either turns up again on TV, if not in its full run, but even in 'best of' shows. I rate it as one of the best shows on TV, then, now, and everafter.