A pilot episode for the series entitled The Vintage Years was filmed in the spring of 1981 but never aired, and featured a number of significant differences from the series that would air in December. The character of Richard Channing was present in the original pilot, played by Michael Swan; this alternate Richard was Angela's biological son fighting for his domineering mother's favor. Abby Dalton's character, Julia, was called Dorcas, Jane Wyman wore a grey wig as Angela, and Chase and Maggie were played by Clu Gulager and Samantha Eggar respectively. Emma was not seen but there was a subplot concerning a mysterious woman crying for her mother while locked away in one of the upstairs rooms.
Though never broadcast or released on DVD, The Vintage Years pilot was made available for download on the AOL video-on-demand service In2TV.
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