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The “Career Girls” of Apartment 3-G

The “Career Girls” of Apartment 3-G

A comic strip about three career girls living in Apartment 3-G, a Manhattan locale full of glamour and drama serves as an ideal window into how women were represented in that era in popular culture. The Career Girl was the new iteration of the Working Girl archetype (see Winnie Winkle), suggesting a woman’s personal investment in the work itself, rather than just a desire to make ends meet. In addition, each of the residents of Apartment 3-G represented a different feminine archetype in 1960s popular culture.

LuAnn Wright was the innocent, moving to the big city for the first time. She was a school teacher and a little naive, always assuming the best of people. According to original artist Alex Kotzky, LuAnn was visually patterned after Tuesday Weld, a beautiful blonde actress of that era. Needless to say, men were always falling in love with her. For them, she was the ultimate Miss Right.

Margo Magee was an executive secretary. A veteran of New York City, she was somewhat cynical and more than willing to take action to get the attention of men she was interested. Though a “career girl,” it would seem that Margo’s number one career goal was to marry a handsome and successful businessman. A brunette, Margo’s look was patterned after Joan Collins of later Dynasty fame. The parallels held up!

“Tommie” Thompson was the practical one, level-headed and not preoccupied with romance. Independent and intelligent, Tommie was a nurse. With red hair, her look was patterned after Lucille Ball, though she shared none of the comedienne’s zaniness. Nick Dallis, the original writer and creator of the strip, found inspiration for her character in his wife, who was also a nurse. Given her no nonsense demeanor, Tommie was featured in significantly fewer romances than either LuAnn or Margo. Or perhaps Dallis hated to see a character so much like his wife fall in love with other men.

Nicholas Dallis, Influential Creator

Apartment 3-G is the third and final comic strip created and written Nicholas Dallis, a psychiatrist turned author. Created in 1961, Dallis was following up on the notable success of his earlier creations, Rex Morgan and Judge Parker. No other comic strip writer launched as many enduring enterprises other than perhaps Allen Saunders, co-creator of a modernized Mary Worth, Steve Roper and Kerry Drake. Their influence remains to be felt on the comic pages of newspapers and now online sources.

Apartment 3-G Supporting Characters

Aristotle Papagoras moved in to a neighboring apartment. An older bear of a man, he was a wise professor–a confidante, protector, and source of guidance to the three single women. He also enjoyed an unlikely number of romances with younger women. As the creators of the strip grew older, there was likely some vicarious satisfaction in that.

Newton Figg is the most popular reoccurring character, featured in five stories between 1966 and 1986. A handsome but childlike author of children’s book, Figg talks to his stuffed animals. As might be guessed, Figg isn’t always on top of his often unsuccessful romances. A favorite of Dallis, none of the subsequent writers utilize 

Narrative Overview

The narrative begins with Margo Magee, Abigail “Tommie” Thompson, and LuAnn Wright moving in together into a new apartment, apartment 3-G. Margo and Tommie had been roommates before, but this was the first time that Lu Ann, fresh from South Dakota, had lived on her own.

Margo Magee was a spoiled rich girl attempting to make it without her parents’ largess. From 1961 to 1993 Margo works first as a secretary and then as an administrative assistant to Byron Frost, a businessman on the rise for an advertising agency. When Margo’s position is lost due to corporate “restructuring,” Margo is forced to begin her own business in public relations and serving as an agent to actors and other “talent” and manager (and later owner) of the Mills Art Gallery.

“Tommie” Thompson was an attractive red-haired nurse. Tommie tends to be cautious and conservative in her choices and struggles with a sense of herself as boring. At the same time Tommie is considered the level-headed one to whom all of her friends come to for good advice.

LuAnn Wright is naïve, though less so as the years go on, and good-hearted. Exceptionally beautiful, the blonde-haired LuAnn is largely unaware of the impact she has on men. A school teacher for a time, LuAnn marries Garth Powers in November 1964 and thus moves out of the apartment.

New roommate Beth Howard takes her place in the revolving storylines but fails to catch on as a character. She also leaves after securing a securing a marital commitment from Dr. Lester Pride. LuAnn moves back into the apartment in August 1967 when her husband has been declared missing in action. She refrains from romance for several years. LuAnn finally resumes a social life in the mid-seventies. Even though she’s inherited a significant amount of money from her husband’s death, LuAnn continues on as an art teacher, ultimately emerging as a talented painter who also works at Mills Gallery.

The narrative alternates between these three women, though Margo and LuAnn are featured more often than Tommie. While initially amused by their larger than life neighbor,  Aristotle Papagoras, the women soon come to regard him as a surrogate father figure and value his advice. Stories often revolve around the men who move into adjoining apartments. 

Apartment 3-G: A Slow Decline

Besides featuring engaging storylines, Apartment 3-G benefited from exceptional art by Alex Kotzky, who excelled at drawing realistic scenes and beautiful women. His son, Brian Kotzky carried on the art chores after the 1996 death of his father. Frank Bolle proved an able replacement as artist in 1999, though his art style diverged significantly from Kotzky’s and thus alienated some readers who felt the character “didn’t look like themselves.”

As Bolle grew older his artistic skills began to fade. In the final years of the comic strip, the artwork showed a shaky line and backgrounds in the panel disappeared entirely. The writing declined significantly as well. It was unfortunate, as in the fifties and sixties Bolle did excellent work in comic books. Stories of the western hero Red Mask and a superhero named Doctor Solar representing some of his most notable achievements. When Apartment 3-G was finally cancelled in November 2015 it was something of a relief to readers who remembered the comic strip’s glory days.

Timeline of Apartment 3-G

Dallis narratives

1961    LuAnn moves in with Margo and Tommie; all three meet Aristotle Papagoras.

1962    Margo’s boss, Byron Frost enters the narrative.

1963    LuAnn breaks off her engagement with Gary West.

1964    LuAnn falls in love with and marries Garth Powers.

1965    Beth Howard is the new roommate. Aristotle is entranced by model Eden Lowry.

1966    The girls meet eccentric children’s author, Newton Figg.

1967    Beth marries Les Pride. Garth Powers declared MIA. LuAnn moves back in.

1968    Sanford Price proposes to Tommie. Eden Lowry returns to star in a movie.

1969    Scheming Web Stewart does Margo, LuAnn and Byron Frost all wrong.

1970    Sgt. Wesley Smith falls for LuAnn due to letters his sister wrote in her name.

1971    Garth is declared legally dead. Newton Figg returns into the girls’ lives.

1972    Bryan Rapell, an open-hearted Vietnam vet, proves too kind for his own good.

1973    Margo’s first true love, Larry Gage, returns harboring a painful secret.

1974    Enter chavinist radio host Rick Level and aspiring writer Lucas Honeycutt.

1975    Bartender/med student Frank Barto and Janice Brooks fall in love, then break up.

1976    LuAnn returns from Europe engaged to Luis Paterno. Frank and Janice reunite.

1977    Newton Figg falls for book editor Angela Pleshette. Intro photog Heather Pace.

1978    Student Carlos Pineda gives up boxing and falls for aspiring model Penny Magee.

1979    Carlos and Penny find love, but with other people.

1980    Newton Figg and Angela, now married, return to visit the gals in 3-G.

1981    Frost associate Frank Desmond juggles his wife, Margo, and a third woman.

1982    Homeless 13-year old Eddie Manos captures the heart of all concerned.

1983    Eddie’s mother is found. Landlord Priscilla Jones runs escort service for women.

1984    Eddie has a happy ending. Caretaker/escort Hunter Lee is more than he seems.

1985    African American football star Calvin Bolton falls for a med student.

1986    Newton Figg returns a final time with eccentric millionaire Mr. MacLeech in tow.

1987    Tommie loves a married man. Lu Ann cousin Hattie Carson takes up acting.

1988    A “reformed” Frank Desmond secretly romances Margo’s mom, Roberta.

1989    Byron Frost turns down a female executive’s account to Margo’s delight.

1990    Heather Pace returns and becomes entangled with gang leader Julian Baron.

1991    Billionaire conservationist Maxwell Finster fails to win Tommie’s hand.

Alex Kotsky narratives

1992    Sadie Saddler and Papagoras are an item. Widow Flo Rowe is pregnant.

1993    Max Paige cross dresses as “Maxine” to get published. Margo loses her job.

1994    Sadie falls for retired boxing great, Stanley “Killer” Kobane.

1995    Dottie Dash has breast cancer. Roberta Magee moves into building’s penthouse.

1996    Margo represents cocky hoop star, Leapin’ Lou Ballek, who’s undone by love.

Trusiani narratives

1997    Harrison Holt sexually harasses Lu Ann. Lou Ballek gives up basketball.

1998    Aspiring actor Blaze Wright, Lu Ann’s cousin, moves to the Big Apple.

1999    Margo learns that her biological mother was the family maid, Gabriella Gatica.

2000    FBI agent Pete Bicman meets Margo and they fall in love.

2001    Blaze joins the girls on an ill-fated boat ride with Lu Ann beau, Greg Winthrop.

2002    Margo discovers Pete Bicman has a four-year old daughter he never mentioned.

2003    The girls discover the secret of Tim Poe (he’s a bigamist). Lu Ann is stalked.

2004    Pete Bicman, having broken up with Margo, proposes to Lu Ann.

2005    Wealthy Scott Gaines and talented painter Alan Lange both fall for Lu Ann.

2006    Gallery owner Eric Mills and Margo fall in love.

Shulock narratives

2007    Lu Ann falls ill. Ruby Wright, Blaze’s older sister, comes to take care of her.

2008    Alan Lange is fatally shot by another addict. Lu Ann is griving yet again.

2009    Erratic Bobbie Merrill dates Papagoras. Missing Eric Mills is declared dead.

2010    Bobbie is Roberta Magee seeking vengeance! Blaze encourages Tommie’s music.

2011    Paul Linski’s romance with Lu Ann sours when he learns of her past marriage.

2012    Ruby Wright is revealed to be Lu Ann’s biological mother.

2013    Governor Peter Russo and a vet with PTSD vie for LuAnn’s affactions.

2014    Carol Collins and Jack Riley of Happiness Falls comfort a grieving Tommie.

2015    Margo develops hyper-thyroidism, is reunited with Eric Mills, but remains single.

Apartment 3-G Bolle artwork

 

 

 

 

Apartment 3-G Friends and Allies

Professor Aristotle Papagoras. Their gray-haired and bearded confidante, originally a mysterious figure but soon a good friend. Papagoras is not without romantic intrigues of his own, and his past associates often cross paths with the girls. 5/61-10/14.

Byron Frost. Margo’s long-time boss, for whom she works first as a secretary and as she continues to prove herself, his trusted gal Friday and administrative assistant. When she first learn she will be working for him, Margo relates to her roommates what she’s heard about him: “cold, driving, cynical, tyrant.” She is initially intrigued by his rival within the company, Hunt Hardwell, who strives to undermine him. It is Hardwell who uncovers that his birth name is Stash Frosniak, a name he changed, embarrassed by his humble background. Ultimately, though, Margo uses a tape recording of Hardwell to prove to Frost’s boss that Hardwell has been sabotaging him. In 1964, Frost enters into an unhealthy relationship with Ellen Denim, becoming engaged to her not realizing she was only after his money. Margo is often romantically linked with business associates or underlings of Frosts who ultimately don’t have his interests at heart: Web Stewart in 1969, Greg Gregory in 1972, and Frank Desmond in 1981. In 1989, Frost is romatically pursued by Tina Lazere, who is jealous of Margo’s close association with her boss. Margo is delighted when Frost decides not to mix business with pleasure, though he suggests to Margo that some of Tina’s criticisms had merit. Frost is not referenced after 1991, and in August 1993 Margo learns that she has been “restructured out of her job.” Frost is shown briefly in 1997 involved in a related deal to one Margo was pursuing. 6/4/62-11/62, 4/63-8/63, 1/64, 12/64-4/65, 7/67, 12/67, 6/68, 10/69-4/70, 3/72-8/72, 10/74, 1/75, 2/81-6/81, 10/85-1/86, 12/87, 6/89-11/89, 6/90-8/90, 9/97.

Gary West. An aspiring writer with mother issues, Gary is briefly engaged to LuAnn before she realizes that she doesn’t really love him. 9/63-1/64.

Garth Powers. The girls first meet Garth when he befriends a sick girl recovering in 3G. Garth is a frugal young man who took classes from Professor Papagoras, who knows of his past with another girl. Garth’s Navy admiral uncle worries about the young man, despite his considerable wealth, and is pleased when LuAnn resolves her love/hate relationship with the sometimes aloof Garth in the young man’s favor. Garth (or LuAnn) is not seen for a few years after his engagement to LuAnn is announced. In April 1965, Margo and Tommie learn that Garth and LuAnn are expecting, but the pregnancy is never referenced again. Now going by Gary, he ultimately enlists in the Air Force becoming a pilot. Gary is sent to Viet-Nam where he is reported missing in action in July of 1967. His death is confirmed in 1971. 6/64-11/64, (referenced 4/65, 7/67).

“Admiral” Powers. Garth’s very wealthy uncle and owner of lucrative Powers Shipping. After Garth’s death, he regards LuAnn as his last remaining relative. 6/64-11/64, 6/67-7/67, 1/76-4/76, others.

Eden Lowry. Model and actress Eden Lowry is also taking college classes and Professor Papagoras falls under her spell. She returns a few years later, starring in a movie with macho actor Rick Strong. Papagoras considers proposing to her but she has fallen for Strong instead. 11/15/65-2/27/66, 6/29/68-12/68.

Beth Howard. A wide-eyed transplant from Atlanta, and friend of LuAnn’s from back home, Beth arrives with a charming Southern drawl. Beth proves a far more suitable roommate after the girls have a bad experience with Ellen Denim. Beth moves out when she becomes engaged to Dr. Lester Pride. 4/65-7/67.

Peter Papagoras. The professor’s ruggedly handsome but naïve to the ways of America nephew. He comes to America from Greece to visit his uncle, unaware that he has just left on a vacation. The enthusiastic Peter becomes infatuated with Beth and seeks to marry her. He remains a source of equal parts amusement and vexation to the girls. 3/66-8/66.

Newton Figg. Handsome but childlike author of children’s books who talks to his stuffed animals. Encountering Margo prompts Newton to aspire to writing adult novels, to his agent’s considerable distress. Returning in 1971, he falls in love with and marries a woman named Marion. This match turns out to be unsuitable and the two are divorced. He finds longlasting love with Angela Pleshette. In 1986 Newton brings to town a millionaire friend named MacLeech, who is nearly as eccentric as he is. 8/66-1/67, 10/71-3/72, 2/77-5/77, 10/80-2/81, 1/86-7/86.

Dr. Lester Pride. Handsome young physician who is torn between the attentions of wealthy Linda Van Nort and Beth Howard. Pride picks Beth, following her to her parents’ home in Macon, Georgia, in order to get their blessing for an impending marriage. 1/67-7/67.

Sgt. Wesley Smith. On leave from duty in Vietnam, Wesley is the brother of Mary Smith, one of LuAnn’s students, who attempted to set the two up by sending letters to him in Vietnam, but signing LuAnn’s name. 8/70-12/70.

Bryan Rapell. A Vietnam veteran who volunteered for a second tour of duty, Bryan is generous and kind-hearted to a fault, giving away all of his clothes to the poor and spending money he can ill afford to spend to buy a struggling artist’s painting. Lacking confidence, he somehow manages to get a job as a bill collector. In trying to collect one such bill, he is pushed down a flight of stairs and has spinal cord damage. He disappears briefly from the narrative and returns fully recovered. He falls in love with Anne Casper, a lovely young mother of two, and they are soon married. 8/72-2/73, 8/73-11/73.

Lucas Honeycutt. Aspiring writer with whom Margo becomes involved. The inexperienced young man from Georgia becomes overly involved with his manipulative editor, Jean Esterlin. 10/74-3/75.

Janice Brooks. The daughter of one of Papagoras’ former romantic entanglement is in town and visits with the professor but ultimately meets a handsome bartender/struggling med student named Frank Barto. She appears to choose another man at the end of their first encounter, but seeks Frank’s  love when they meet again the next year. 7/75-12/75, 5/76-10/76.

Frank Barto. A handsome bartender and med student, Frank is jilted by his first true love, Janice, and attempts to find comfort in the arms of a pretty young nurse but ultimately is drawn back to Janice. 7/75-12/75, 5/76-10/76.

Heather Pace. Adventurous English freelance photographer, Heather accompanies the Professor on a scholarly expedition to Greece and ends up falling for him, though nothing comes of it. Papagoras describes her as “a lovely blithe spirit” prior to her meeting the women of 3-G. Heather returns in 1990, still a photographer but more clearly a journalist, and becomes entangled with gang leader Julian Baron. 10/7/77-1/78, 5/4/90- 9/14/90.

Carlos Pineda. Just short of his 18th birthday, Carlos’ brother convinces him to try and make some quick money by becoming a boxer. LuAnn, his teacher, is worried about him, all the more so when Carlos’ first opponent dies after Carlos knocks him out. Carlos gives up boxing, stays in school, and works nights at a hotel kitchen so he can start college. When a pretty, aspiring model, Penny Magee, comes to town, Carlos is immediately infatuated, but ends up finding a more reliable relationship with a pretty waitress. 8/78-7/79.

Penny Magee. A cousin of Margo, Penny is pretty but not in the conventional way of rail thin, sophisticated models. As she achieves some success, Penny struggles over whether she is in love with Carlos Pineda, ultimately losing him through inattention but finding comfort in the companionship of a kind-hearted advertising executive, Ted Raymond. 12/78-7/79.

Homer Hastings Heath. Kind-hearted son of one of Lu Ann’s mother’s friends, hailing from Charlotte, North Carolina, Homer comes to the big city to make his mark as an actor and takes over the apartment building’s caretaker job with Lu Ann’s recommendation. LuAnn and Homer never make it as a full fledged romance and he serves as a father figure to Eddie Manos, who he takes under his wing after the boy tries to steal his suitcase on his first day in New York City. Home keeps a watchful eye on Eddie, along with Mrs. Paisley, until his mother comes back into the picture. An opportunity in Los Angeles lures Homer away at the same time as Eddie’s departure. 6/18/82-5/83, 10/83, 2/84.

Eddie Manos. Homeless, 13-year old Eddie is taken off the streets by Lu Ann’s friend from back home, Homer Hastings Heath. Presenting a tough exterior, Eddie soon brings a little girl named Maria into the generous caretaker’s small apartment, the girl turning out to be Eddie’s sister. Lu Ann and Homer are able to find the kids’ mother, who is in a psychiatric hospital recovering from severe depression. Eddie, Maria and Julia Manos all move into the apartment of Mrs. Paisly, whom Eddie has charmed and irreverently refers to as “Paisley.” Eddie views Dr. David Kinsman, the psychiatrist who has taken a romantic interest in his mother as a threat, but he ultimately accepts their marriage. All but Margo are tearful over the lovable little tough guy’s departure with his new family. 6/20/82-2/11/84.

Mrs. Paisley. Full name, Sarah Martin Paisley, but known to most simply as Mrs. Paisley, a somewhat formal older woman who lives in apartment 2-B. She is initially skeptical when homeless Eddie Manos shows up to fix her clogged bathroom pipes, but is soon won over by the little guy’s charm. When Eddie’s mother is found, Mrs. Paisley watched over Eddie while she was at work. Mrs. Paisley held the wedding of his mother to Dr. Kingsman and threw a champagne “grieving party” at Eddie’s departure. In 1985, depressed and withdrawn, Mrs. Paisley is befriended by medical student and parttime caretaker Kathy Johnson. In  1986, she and Mr. Parker and Mr. MacLeech—Newton Figg’s eccentric friend—hit it off rather well, their lineages linked by some distant marriage. In 1988, Mrs. Paisley once again looks after a little boy named Dorsey for his father, Ted Fulton. Thereafter she is no longer seen in the narrative though she has never been shown moving out either. 10/82-2/84, 7/84, 2/85-9/85, 3/86-6/86, 8/88-12/88.

Priscilla Jones. Former model and showgirl, Priscilla married well and became a wealthy widow. In 1983, she purchases the apartment building the girls live in and moves into the penthouse suite. Priscilla soons opens Priscilla’s Human Services, Inc., a legitimate escort service for women. She simultaneously romances Ari Papagoras and encourages him to serve as one of her escorts. Priscilla makes a far less auspicious choice in hiring the handsome Hunter Lee, who turns out to have a very dark background. 11/83-2/85.

Kathy Johnson. The new African American caretaker of the apartment building, Kathy is also a medical student. Seeing how depressed Mrs. Paisley in 2-B is, she makes it a point to look after her and bring her back into the world. Along the way, Kathy falls in love with the handsome and charismatic Calvin Bolton. 2/11/85-9/85.

Calvin Bolton. Handsome African American professional football player, 23 years of age, Calvin is smitten by Kathy Johnson while in the hospital for a routine procedure. He fancies himself something of a player but falls for the spunky medical student and Tommie is able to help them meet, since Kathy is also the apartment building’s new caretaker. Calvin is attentive when Kathy is hospitalized with a possible brain tumor. 3/85-9/85.

Dr. Bud Bradford. Devoted pediatrician and oncologist. Tommie and Bud are set up on a blind date, the matchmaker not aware that Bud has a wife who has been psychiatrically hospitalized for years. Her release from the hospital prompts the end of his unsteady relationship with Tommie, who became aware of his situation. 8/2/86-4/87.

Hattie Carsons. A shirttail cousin of Lu Ann’s from Georgie, Hattie has an unforeseen talent for acting, forcing her to choose between a handsome, but small time theatre director named Warren Ames and becoming a regular on the Larry Leeds Show on television. Hattie chooses small time happiness with the promise of greater success. 3/27/87-11/87.

Maxwell Finster. Billionaire environmentalist who wants to start a philanthropic organization named AKALT (Advocating Kindness to All Living Things) and comes into Margo’s orbit as it is Byron Frost’s firm who is to represent him. But Max falls for Tommie instead. Unfortunately, Finster for all of his good intentions arrogantly thinks Tommie will marry him because of their shared values and the lifestyle he can provide for her. Finster ends up returning to the arms of his sympathetic ex-wife, Agatha. 10/11/90-4/91.

Flo Rowe. An attractive pregnant widow moves into Lu Ann’s room while she is away on an extended trip. Flo and Margo’s new boss, Vincent Cordrey, fall in love, much to the chagrin of Vincent’s snobbish mother. 1/92-7/92.

Paul Peach. CEO of a conglomerate represented by the Frost agency ends up proposing to Margo, the development of that relationship or the proposal not portrayed in the narrative. Margo ends up trying to run herd on his 19-year old son Kirby. The “romance” seems lacking in passion and ends easily. 2/9/93-5/93.

Max Paige. Restaurant busboy who aspires to being a romance novelist. The girls devise a scheme to sell his novel as Maxine Paige, a ruse that requires him to dress as a woman. This has the unintended consequence of hunky cover model Alfredo falling for Maxine. Hijinx ensue. 7/8/93-10/93.

Dotty Dash. Tommie’s old friend, a married nurse with two kids, whose mammogram reveals that she has breast cancer. The six months of chemotherapy means tough choices for Dotty and her struggling screenwriter husband, Clifford. 1/12/95-6/3/95.

Louis Ballek. African American basketball star Leapin’ Lou Ballek is represented by the Margo Magee Sports Agency. He meets feisty Nancy Terell, a Black community activist, who despite her shows of strength needs a kidney which Lou, very much in love, offers to her. When next in the narrative, a year later, the two are married and have founded the Terrell-Balleck Community Center. Lou gives up basketball, drops Margo as his agent, but later seeks her representation again. At the same time he advocates for Margo to represent a rookie hoopster, also Black, named Harris McBride (introduced 10/17/97). Harris seems smitten by Margo, but nothing comes of this brief interracial flirtation. 6/19/96-10/96, 6/97-11/97.

Blaze Wright. A struggling actor, Ruby’s younger brother and LuAnn’s protective cousin. Blaze grew up in South Dakota and often sports a cowboy hat and bolo tie. Margo hires Blaze as an assistant in 2000 to help him make ends meet, a move that doesn’t work out for either of them. Blaze shows a brief interest in seeing a girl named Joyce in 2001 that never results in even a date. Blaze joins the girls on their extended cruise in the Fall of 2001. Lu Ann braves her agoraphobia to see Blaze’s play in 2001. Blaze perhaps foolishly indulges Margo’s brief foray into acting in 2004. Blaze introduces his old school friend, Alan Lange to LuAnn late in 2005. In 2010, Blaze produces a play that requires a pianist, a skill Tommie just happens to have. Throughout all of this, Blaze is never shown to have a romantic relationship with a woman. 8/9/98-4/99, 3/00-4/00, 6/00, 10/01, 6/01, 9/01-10/01, 7/01-3/02, 1/03-3/03, 2/04-5/04, 12/05, 5/06, 11/06-12/06, 6/07-7/07, 1/10, 5/10, 9/10, 1/11-4/11.

Martin Magee. Also called Paul Magee, Margo’s wealthy father who is often emotionally disengaged from his daughter and uses his wealth at times in attempts to influence her. 5/99-9/99, 3/09-4/10, 6/10, 9/10.

Rosa Gatica. Martin and Roberta Magee’s longtime maid who doted on Margo as she grew up. It later emerges she only worked for the Magees to keep close watch over Margo, who was actually her sister Gabriella’s daughter. Roberta fires her for revealing the secret but Margo insists that her father rewards Rosa’s loyalty. He does so by making Rosa and Gabriella co-owners of a restaurant, where Rosa will serve as chef. 5/99-10/99.

Gabriella Gatica. Rosa’s sister and Margo’s Latina mother who Martin had an affair with while she worked as the family maid. Gabriella gave Margo up to Martin as an infant in hopes she might have a better life. Gabriella and Aristotle briefly flirt with a relationship in 2001. Margo stays in regular contact with Gabriella but only calls her mother for the first time in January 2008, distraught over Eric Mills leaving for China. Margo is pleased with the 2015 marriage of Gabriella and her father Martin. 8/99-9/99, 6/01-7/01, 11/01,  8/03, 11/05, 5/07, 1/08, 7/08 and possible other sporadic appearances, with more extended narratives in 5/09-4/10, 12/14-11/15.

Pete Bicman. Dark-haired FBI agent who soon becomes initially becomes infatuated with Margo. After several happy months together, Margo is unhappy to discover in 2002 that Pete has a four-year old daughter named Gretchen. Pete catches Margo kissing another man just as he is growing closer to LuAnn. He alone recognizes her symptoms of agoraphobia, after she has suffered a kidnapping ordeal with Marcella Della. But the two have a nasty argument when LuAnn goes against Pete’s wishes and encourages his ex to have Gretchen tested for dyslexia. He nonetheless proposes to LuAnn in July of 2004. LuAnn feels things are moving too fast and declines. Margo unsuccessfully attempts to reconnect with Pete but washes her hands of him when he asks her if she was romantically involved with a criminal named Harold Eldon. 11/00-4/01, 6/02-12/02, 2/04-10/04, 1/05.

Greg Winthrop. Owner and captain of a seaworthy boat, Greg romances LuAnn and invites the girls and Blaze on an extended cruise to the Bahamas. Greg ultimately asks LuAnn to marry him, then neglects to mention that he has fallen in love with and married Marcella, a Cuban girl Margo rescues adrift in the Caribbean Sea. Greg shallowly claims credit for the rescue. 7/01-3/02.

Marcella Della. A talented athlete seeking to escape Cuba, Marcella becomes the first female baseball player to compete in the major leagues. A failed minor leaguer named Earl kidnaps Marcella out of rage at her success and LuAnn who is unlucky enough to witness the abduction. 1/02-7/02.

Alexandra. LuAnn’s pregnant niece, nicknamed Mim. Alexandra gives birth to a healthy baby girl named Liliana. Later, she accidentally reveals that Ruby is LuAnn’s biological mother, her own mother leading her to believe LuAnn already knew. 1/05-5/05, 11/08.

Scott Gaines. Apparently a school teacher who is simply concerned about social issues, Scott turns out to be a very wealthy man who likes to see the work of his family’s philanthropy close up. He falls in love and proposes to LuAnn, who he meets working on a school service project together. But LuAnn breaks off the engagement when she learns from Margo that he has been engaged several times before, relationships that always end due to interference by his mother. To her dismay, in 2006, Margo discovers she is serving as the wedding planner for an impending marriage to a wealthy woman named Nina Blake. Later, in 2012, Scott and Nina return when Nina is pregnant and want Tommie to serve as her midwife. The baby is born healthy, but not before a drunken kiss with Margo creates further difficulties. 5/05-10/05, 2/06-4/06, 2/12-7/12.

Eric Mills. Handsome owner of Mills Gallery, Eric gives LuAnn the confidence to pursue painting professionally and successfully romances the jaded Margo to whom he declares his love. In January 2008, Eric travels to Tibet to help free his brother Tim, who is being held there as a political prisoner. His contacts with Margo taper off until he proposes to Margo in a voice mail message in October before embarking on a dangerous mission to free a young Buddhist monk destined to be the next Dalai Lam. Margo ultimately learns that he was killed in an avalanche helping a monk/political prisoner escape. His body, however, is never found. 6/06-1/08, 3/08, 5/08-8/08, 10/08, (7/09 flashback only; 1/13, 3/13 referenced.), 11/14, 1/15, 4/15, 7/15-11/15.

Ruby Wright. Blaze’s older sister and apparently LuAnn’s cousin, Ruby comes to New York from Texas when LuAnn suffers a serious case carbon monoxide poisoning. Ruby largely raised Blaze herself. An older woman with bright red-hair, Ruby is something of a caretaker and loves to cook. She soon becomes romantically interested in a low key way  with Papagoras. and moves into apartment 3B when an actress named Gina moves to Hollywood. Ruby supports herself working as a wedding planner. By 2009, Ruby is dropping occasional comments about the price of secrets. In January 2012, she is revealed to be the biological mother of LuAnn. Ruby’s aunt and uncle adopted LuAnn to save the South Dakota family from scandal. Ruby is last seen in the narrative in 2013. 7/07-3/13.

Nora Mills. The dark-haired sister-in-law of Eric, she falls in love with him while Eric dotes of his cancer-ridden niece in the absence of her presumed dead husband. When Eric finds evidence that Tim may still be alive, she doesn’t believe it and declares her love to Eric instead. Eric dies seeing to the rescue of Tim who then is happily reunited with his wife, presumably unaware of these details. 4/07-10/07, 1/09-2/09, 6/09-7/09.

Gary Walker. Blond-haired, glasses wearing suitor of Tommie, a self-proclaimed geek. Tommie is initially disinterested when she thinks he is a low level theatrical worker, but her interest is peaked later on when she realizes he is a successful computer systems engineer. Their romance hits a rough patch when he doesn’t warn Tommie that he is investigating Joe Kelly, her medical colleague, for criminal wrongdoing. When Gary gets a promotion in Denver, he proposes to Tommie hoping she will join him there, but she turns him down. 1/07-2/07, 8/07-12/07, 10/08-5/09.

Tim Mills. The brother of Eric, held prisoner for assisting the young Buddhist monk that Eric ultimately rescues. He is reunited with his wife and only meets Margo at the reading of his brother’s will, when she is left full ownership of the gallery. 8/08, 7/09,12/09, 8/15-9/15.

Jack Davis. An old friend of Eric Mills who had been a curator at his studio until Eric encouraged him to follow his passion of producing quality art prints. Handsome with short dark hair, Jack meets LuAnn when Margo arranges for him to produce a series of prints of her botanical paintings. He alone realizes that she has only been painting “species threatened by habitat loss.” He is initially interested in LuAnn romantically but helps out Margo when she must take over Eric’s business during his trip to China. When he rekindles an interest in LuAnn, Margo’s jealousy is aroused. Jack ultimately decides to romance Doris McGill, the long-suffering support staff of the Mills Gallery instead. Jack announces their engagement to the surprise of both women and then marries Doris the following year. 4/08-12/08, 2/10-6/10, 9/10-11/10, 5/11.

Iris Thompson. Tommie’s globe-trotting aunt who enlivens the apartment building with her optimism, introducing Trey Brooks to Margo in the process. She also actively supports Tommie’s fledgling singing career, managing to get Tommie’s timid mother Susan to attend one Tommie’s performances, but only after Iris has already returned to Europe. 10/10-6/11.

Paul Linski. Wealthy blond-haired youth who quickly falls in love with LuAnn and proposed marriage, but is ultimately unable to cope with the fact that she had never told him that she had been married before. The two subsequently break off their engagement, LuAnn realizing they never really knew each other. 11/10-12/11.

Greg Cooper. A handsome, dark-haired actor who is currently starring in the James Bond film franchise. He comes into conflict with Margo when he hires her as his publicity agent, but the two ultimately fall in love and become engaged. 8/12-3/13, 4/15-6/15, 10/15-11/15.

Governor Peter Russo. Republican governor of New York who becomes infatuated with LuAnn even though she doesn’t share his politics. A vet with PTSD named Cole Spencer provides competition for Russo. While Russo is proposing marriage to LuAnn at the Governor’s Ball, Luann accepts an “important” call from Spencer’s daughter about her father. Russo reads the tea leaves and Spencer moves to upstate New York for treatment  of his disorder. 4/13-12/13.

James Clifton Alesworth. Tommie falls in love with and become engaged to a British pilot while touring Europe with her mother (all portrayed “off stage”). Alesworth visits her once in America before dying in a plane crash. 2/14.

Carol Collins. Lady friend of veterinarian Jack Riley of Happiness Falls, whom Tommie works for to recover from the loss of Alesworth and also to tend to a wounded fawn named Lily. Ultimately it is Collins who helps Tommie get over her loss, not Riley. Collins and Riley become engaged. 5/14-10/14.

 

Apartment 3-G Notable Adversaries

Alan Lange. A talented painter and old school friend of Blaze’s. Blaze introduces him to LuAnn, who encourages his talent and celebrates his show at the Mills Gallery. Alan falls in love with LuAnn but falls in with a bad crowd after he learns LuAnn was engaged to, and might still have feelings for, Scott Gaines. After blowing up at LuAnn,  Alan decides to leave New York and return to Maine, declaring his love for her in a letter he leaves behind. Later, Alan returns and briefly becomes curator of the Mills Gallery. Unfortunately, troubled Alan uses drugs, and ultimately becomes a drug dealer who cheats on Lu Ann and steals money from Margo. Nonetheless, LuAnn grieves his death when Alan is fatally shot by another addict. 12/05-3/06, 6/06, 8/06, 3/07-10/08.

Diane Devine. Manipulative “psychic” who gains undue influence over Gabriella in planning her wedding to Martin, proposing extremely expensive plans. Devine subsequently warns Gabriella that someone is out to harm her, increasing her dependence and paranoia. Margo resolves to take Devine down. 2/15, 4/15-5/15.

Dr. Joseph R. Kelly. Medical colleague of Tommie who treats LuAnn’s case of carbon monoxide poisoning. The recently divorced physician later asks Tommie out, but begins to call her into work unnecessarily to disrupt her blossoming romance with Gary Walker. Kelly is ultimately arrested on charges of grand larceny for padding medical bills and physically threatening Tommie. 6/07-8/07, 11/08-5/09.

Ellen Denim. Con-woman and jewel thief who wiles her way into living with the girls after LuAnn moves out and who almost lands wealthy Byron Frost as a husband. Lacking any loyalty, she throws her criminal colleague and likely paramour Artie Price under the bus when it serves her purposes. 11/64-4/65.

Frank Desmond. A womanizing cad, Margo falls for his charms on two different occasions. In 1981, Margo meets Desmond through work, as he is a business associate of Byron Frost’s. The two begin to date, Margo totally unaware that he is married and cheating on his wife with a third woman. Desmond returns years later in 1988, divorced and claiming to be reformed. But when the rogue meets Roberta Magee, Margo’s wealthy mother in town for a visit, he secretly begings dating her. It all turns out to be a ruse of Roberta’s to protect her daughter and expose Desmond. 2/81-6/81, 12/98-4/89.

Harrison Holt. Principal at the school where Luann teaches, Holt turns out to be a creep, sexually harassing through a slowly progressing series of behaviors beginning with a back massage and building to leaving an x-rated tape in her desk drawer. He also goes on a date with Margo while apparently pursuing Luann. The school board provides a benign excuse for ushering out but Margo blackmails him into giving his severance money to Luann. 11/18/96-6/97.

Harry Eldon.  A wealthy client of Margo’s public relations business, Eldon also turns out to own a garment sweatshop and kidnaps Margo when she uncovers the truth. 8/04-12/04.

Hunter Lee. Handsome, aspiring actor, Hunter is a friend of Homer Hastings Heath who arranges for him to take over the apartment caretaking job when Homer moves to Los Angeles. As the building is owned by Priscilla Jones, who also runs a legit escort service for women, Hunter is soon making money on the side dating wealthy older women. It gradually emerges that Hunter is a con man and bigamist, who beat and then deserted his wife and children. Hunter dates Margo and several older women before finally being arrested. 3/84-2/85.

Jeremy Dratman. New owner of the apartment complex, Dratman attempts to get the residents to leave the building for obscure reasons. He hires Horatio Carlos, “a death squad leader in Argentina’s dirty war,” as a super whose sole purpose is to create havoc in the building. The two men ultimately and unsuccessfully try to burn the apartment to the ground. In the aftermath, Dratman is arrested for attempted arson, but gets out on bail. Margo negotiates the sale of the building to the residents. 7/00-4/01.

Johnny Hugo. A struggling law student who befriends LuAnn in the months after her husband’s death. He convinces her that another man is after her money and shows his apparent virtue by refusing to accept her offer of financial help. Hugo ultimately reveals to the Professor that all this was a scheme to get her to marry him so he could be rich. He only gives up his scheme when he realizes he has actually fallen in love with her. Johnny leaves law school and town, hoping to return if he can become a “better man.” 8/67-1/68.

Larry Gage. In 1973, Margo described the “late” Larry Gage as her only true love, who had seemingly died in a boating accident (while he was still seeing Margo) that also resulted in the death of the older woman he was with. Margo is unnerved when he shows up alive, but the two resume a romance, which at his request she keeps secret. A private detective finds Margo and informs her that she has been dating a married man who goes by the name of Paul Lester and whose wife has also had a fatal fall down a flight of stairs. Gage says he adopted a new identity out of shame at not trying to rescue the older woman in the boat accident. But Gage’s innocence or guilt in either episode is left uncertain. 12/73-4/74.

Luis Rodriguez Paterno. Spanish born but French citizen, the handsome Paterno was a Olympic level skier untila broken ankle ended his career. A jet setter, Paterno meets LuAnn while she is vacationing in Europe and the two fall in love. Paterno travels with his “aunt,” Annabella Valenciano, to New York to finalize the marriage. After the Admiral investigates, it emerges that Paterno is broke and seeking LuAnn’s fortune and “Aunt” Annabella is actually a con woman. 1/76-4/76.

Roberta Magee. Margo’s presumed biological mother who has always been withholding of maternal affection. In 1998, Roberta and Margo are both romanced by the incorrigible Frank Desmond. In 1995, Roberta moves into the penthouse in Margo’s building without even contacting her daughter to let her know. While there, the Professor introduces her to a colleague of his, David Feather, a retired corporate businessman who now teaches. The two end up marrying later that year. By 1999, that marriage is apparently a forgotten memory as Margo learns that Roberta is not her biological mother and that Gabriella Gatica was forced to give up Margo to be raised by Roberta and Martin, Margo’s biological father. Most recently, in 2009, Roberta adopts her nickname and maiden name—Bobbie Merrill—and begins a romance with Ari Papagoras, who provided a one time consultation for her while a psychiatric colleague was on leave. Unaware of her true identity, Papagoras notes her dramatic mood swings. Bobbie stalks her husband, Martin, who is seeking a divorce, and is enraged when she discovers that Martin has renewed his love affair with Gabriella. Roberta ultimately threatens to shoot her estranged husband, and possibly Margo as well. Martin takes her gun away when she is distracted by a call from Aristotle and Papagoras subsequently arranges for Roberta’s private hospitalization. Martin declines to press charges and she has not been heard from since. 12/30/88-5/89, 6/18/95-10/95, 5/99-9/99, 8/09-4/10.

Tim Poe. Husband of Alexis and father to Julia and Laura, Tim’s frequent trips and troubling inconsistencies trouble the roommates of 3-G. It ultimately emerges that he is maintaining a double life with his first wife, whose marriage Alexis knew was still valid, but not that he was still sleeping with her! For a time, Tim was suspected of stalking Lu Ann for revenge, but that turned out not to be the case. 5/03-9/03.

Web Stewart. Ambitious business man who is being groomed to take Bryon Frost’s vice president role with Frost’s promotion as W and P Industries prepares for a takeover. Lacking a moral compass, the darkly handsome Stewart engages in corporate sabotage to undermine Frost and romances both Margo and LuAnn putting a major strain on their friendship. He does all of this, even as he beds the attractive but perennially drunk Lelah, who—when seen with her—describes as his sister. Frost learns of his perfidy and informs LuAnn and Margo, just in time to prevent LuAnn’s marriage to the rogue. 10/22/69-4/70.

Sightings: Menominee Falls Gazette 165-223 (circa 1975).

Chroniclers: Nick Dallis (w) 5/61-x/91

Alex Kotsky (w) x/91-x/96

Lisa Trusiani (w) x/96-10/05

Margaret Shulock (w) 11/05-2/14+

Alex Kotzky (a) 5/61-x/xx

Brian Kotzky (a) x/xx-12/99

Frank Bolle (a) 12/99-2/14+

Mark Carlson-Ghost

 

 

 

 

 

One Response to The “Career Girls” of Apartment 3-G

  1. Another great read. A bit sad that, I assume, it was written just before the strip came to its extremely underwhelming conclusion–though it had been on life support for a long time, although I admit I was never really a fan of Margaret Shulock’s writing and Frank Bolle’s art, which had started off as a credible take on Kotzky’s stunning original art, was absolutely dismal in the final years.

    I’m actually surprised that none of the 1960s strips have been collected–just because, more than a lot of soap opera strips, I would think they would hold appeal for their so on the nose mod style.

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