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Here are some customer reviews of Peyton Place : A less than ordinary town is displayed through the eyes of the diverse lives of the residents. Ahead of its time then and contains thought-provoking moments, but it might not connect with viewers today. A disappointing conclusion it has, but Lana Turner is a real standout. Peyton Place is one of my favorite books and one of my favorite movies. The filming and score are beautiful. The scenery of coastal Maine is fantastic. This is one of the most popular soap operas...the term "Peyton Place" has come to mean a gossipy community. Most of the acting is great... the only actor that does not seem right for the role is Lee Philips. He is does not see the type of guy Lana Turner would go for. Lana Turner and Diane Varsi have some great mother daughter conflicts. Lloyd Nolan is great as the doctor caught in the moral dilemma of covering up a miscarriage (which was an abortion in the book) The DVD adds an interesting commentary by Russ Tamblyn and Terry Moore. You feel as if you are sitting with them as the watch the film. They give share stories of what it was like to be a young actor in the 1950s. This is a great film and even better DVD. My wife and I liked the book and movie so much we named our daughter Allison after Peyton Place's main character. This video is an important storyline to the New England cultures. This is a story that undoes the stereotypes of "pure" pastoral vs. corrupt "city." The underlying story is one which Metalious as a writer, and the film brings to the screen, of the inner workings of small town life as it really is and a major service is done to the national psyche in cracking the illusions. The novel "Peyton Place", by Grace Metalious has over time become "infamous", for its frank depiction of sex in all its raw forms under the outwardly respectable facade of life in a prosperous New England Town. The movie version of the novel while necessarily diluted to have been able to get onto the screen in 1957 still retains a great deal of that original material which is handled in an intelligent and most often surprisingly honest way. Considering the restrictions on what could, and could not be depicted on screen in the late 1950's it is doubly amazing that the film could be so honest about depicting previously taboo topics as teenage pregnancy, rape and extra marital affairs. Obviously by today's movie standards "Peyton Place", seems very tame and at times almost quaint, however it is an intelligently written and honestly acted melodrama that holds your attention for its lengthy two and a half hour running time. "Peyton Place", marked a big comeback in the career of legendary screen Goddess Lana Turner after a lean period of mediocre films in the mid 1950's. Here we see her at the beginning of a new period of stardom where she played more mature sophisticated women often involved in emotional dilemmas. Turner plays Constance Mackenzie, a dress shop owner in the beautiful town of Peyton Place and she is one of the many residents who beneath their outwardly respectable facade is hiding a dark secret from her past. She has one daughter Alison ( a radiant Diane Varsi),a High School graduate who dreams of becoming a writer. During the course of the film we are introduced to the others who make up the Peyton Place community. Firstly there is the School's new Principal Michael Rossi (Lee Philips), who has progressive ideas about education and develops a passion for Constance despite her unexplained remoteness toward him. Other memorable characters are the tragic Selena Cross (Hope Lange), Allison's best friend who is a poor girl trapped in a terrible homelife of abuse, care of her step father Lucas (Arthur Kennedy) and who around much of the sordid side of the story revolves. Also present are Allison's friends Norman (Russ Tamblyn) who is eager to escape his domineering mother and flashy girl about town Betty Anderson (Terry Moore) who marries local wealthy boy Rodney Harrington (Barry Coe) against the wishes of his high profile father (Leon Ames),only to see him killed during active duty in World War Two. The film takes us through the trials and tribulations of the real life being led behind closed doors in Peyton Place. Constance is revealed to have been the mistress of a prominent businessman in New York. The revelation of her true background and circumstances of her birth drives Allison away where she seeks a new life for herself in the City away from her mother. In a major story development Dr. Swain (Lloyd Nolan), battles professional ethics when he is forced to cover up a forced termination of Selena's unborn child that resulted from her rape by her drunken step father. This secret comes back to haunt him later when Selena is put on trial for her step father's murder and this one piece of secret evidence proves to be the only thing that will save her from a death sentence. Big Shot Leslie Harrington also learns a sharp lesson in human tolerance when after his son's death he finally begins to see the real value in former good time girl Betty who beneath her extroverted exterior is a sincere and caring girl who despite her reputation only ever truly loved his son. Directed with suitable directness by Mark Robson and nominated for an amazing nine Academy Awards including Best Picture,"Peyton Place", is a stunning film to enjoy on all levels from the fine performances by Lee Philips and especially Lana Turner, who was nominated for the only time in her career for the Best Actress Oscar, to the often truly remarkable work achieved by the younger cast members. It is these junior cast members that lead most of the dramatic action in "Peyton Place". Hope Lange as the tragic Selena probably delivers her finest performance ever and her rape scene and where she murders her step father are truly harrowing even by modern movie standards. Terry Moore another fifties starlet as Betty also shows new depths to her acting and her later scenes with Leon Ames as her disapproving father in law are top rate. Veteran Stalwarts, Ames, Mildred Dunnock, Lorne Green and especially Lloyd Nolan also add to the dramatic impact in their respective roles. Boasting a magnificent musical score by Franz Waxman and breathtaking onlocation photography in New England, these very superb credentials give the film a very handsome look and create an interesting contrast to the often sordid nature of much that goes on behind the white picket fences of Peyton Place. Obvious Soap Opera "Peyton Place", may be dismissed as however you would be hard pressed in this genre to find a more finely crafted production that tells it's story in a more straight forward manner. So successful was this film that it spawned a sequel "Return To Peyton Place", and a long running television series in the 1960's. Lana Turner fans wont be disappointed by her more mature acting here, however full credit goes to the entire cast no matter what level their acting experience as they all succeed in realistically bringing to life the often murky side of life in a "respectable picture postcard town". Definately recommended viewing by those that love well written human dramas. Peyton Place is the quintessential homey New England town complete with the little red schoolhouse and town Doc. But this cover is as deceiving as the cover to the book by Grace Metalious. The movie is being told first person by Allison Mackenzie(supposedly Metalious) as she talks about her town and family & friends. There's Allison's mother(a dress shop owner) who appears prudish and over protective of Allison possibly gaining a reputation, after all her mother had one and it resulted in Allison(the illegitimate of Mr. Mackenzie a married NY business man). She spurns advances by Mike, the new principal at Peyton Place school. She eventually finds that she needs him after Allison ups and leaves after finding A) the body of Mrs. Cross hanging in Allison's closet and B) being told she was illegitimate when, after being accused of skinny dipping with mama's boy Norman(he leaves too, for WWII), the two women have a drag out fight. With her gone there is still plenty of scandal with Allison's friend, poor Selena Cross who lives with her drunk stepfather, mother(who commits suicide) and younger brother(her oldest brother left town in the first 5 minutes of the movie). The family lives in a shack and one night after a dance Selena is raped by her stepfather Lucas. Months later he signs a confession after being warned by the Doc. Selena runs for her life from Lucas(after he learns the Doc knows the truth) and she falls causing a miscarriage(with help from the Doc who falsifies records to maintain her good-standing in the community). Selena never wants her love, Ted to know the truth. As time rolls on all the boys are drafted including Ted and Rodney(who loves and marries the town tramp against his father's judgement). Unfortunately, Lucas returns and when he attempts rape again Selena bludgeon's him to death. When he's considered AWOL Selena breaks down and reveals how she burried him in the Sheep pen. Allison has to come back for the trial and meets up with Rodney, now a confident paratrooper. She also tries to reconsile with her mother. The trail is harried until the Doc takes the stand and reveals all, breaking his promise to Selena. A lot of loose ends need some tying up and this was attempted in Return To Peyton Place but this was extremely disappointing when we see what's happend to all of these characters. Lange received her first and only Academy Award nomination for her role. The scene where she is on the stand is excellent. Again, this strong women role is what she is known for even if she has had limited roles. Get this movie!!!

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