Rating: 
Summary: Colorful soap classic/less than perfect DVD
Review: Lana Turner and a terrific cast make this toned down version of Grace Metalious's steamy, sensational novel a real potboiling delight! The music, the cinematography, everything...it all evokes a long ago time and place and here it is all beautifully preserved for posterity! Fans will also enjoy its sequel, RETURN TO PEYTON PLACE with luscious Carol Lynley and another good looking cast of youngsters and scenery-chewing veterans.Unfortunately, this DVD has a few jumps and glitches which disrupt perfect viewing. The AMC Backstory documentary isn't all that informative, and you'd think they'd at least have edited out the commercial bumpers. The commentary track by Tamblyn and Moore is one of the most boring ever...nearly impossible to sit through. Neither actor offers much insight into the film they are watching, instead rattling off alot of their own movie credits and misinformation (ie. Dick Sargent was never in "that genie show," Ms. Moore). Who was producing this!?
Rating:
Summary: Colorful soap classic/less than perfect DVD
Review: Lana Turner and a terrific cast make this toned down version of Grace Metalious's steamy, sensational novel a real potboiling delight! The music, the cinematography, everything...it all evokes a long ago time and place and here it is all beautifully preserved for posterity! Fans will also enjoy its sequel, RETURN TO PEYTON PLACE with luscious Carol Lynley and another good looking cast of youngsters and scenery-chewing veterans. Unfortunately, this DVD has a few jumps and glitches which disrupt perfect viewing. The AMC Backstory documentary isn't all that informative, and you'd think they'd at least have edited out the commercial bumpers. The commentary track by Tamblyn and Moore is one of the most boring ever...nearly impossible to sit through. Neither actor offers much insight into the film they are watching, instead rattling off alot of their own movie credits and misinformation (ie. Dick Sargent was never in "that genie show," Ms. Moore). Who was producing this!?
Rating:
Summary: Glossy But Light-Weight Soaper
Review: Lana Turner gives an expert peformance as the mother of a child born out of wedlock in this well-done but considerably watered-down version of the 1950s novel, set in a small New England town that conceals an unsavory secret behind every door. But we're not as easily shocked today as we were when this film was made; consequently, the film lacks impact, and although well-made and well-played, it is no longer surprising, shocking, or even greatly memorable.
Rating: 
Summary: A magnitude 9.0 earth mover and classic
Review: No, Virginia, this is not a sleazy B-grade small town melodrama. Rather, it is a visionary, provocative, exceptionally well produced and well acted story that forever blew away Victorian mores that predominated in America through the 1950's and ushered in the social and sexual revolution of the 1960's. No more were the emotional and sexual sides of humanity strictly taboo. No more was abuse of any kind to be forever hidden so that it would remain forever unresolved. It required highly professional and thoughtful portrayal to make these points in a way that would influence the world, and this movie has all of that and more. Its use of parallel story threads that move fast and come together as appropriate likely also forever changed the concept of cinematic art. An excellent DVD reproduction with a separate 20-minute presentation on its social context enhance the pleasure. Anyone who has interest in America's social history, or in classic theater, or in exceptional acting, would be well advised to pick up this one.
Rating:
Summary: Chic Soaper
Review: One of the most engaging soapers ever made, with Lana Turner as Constance MacKenzie, a woman with some skeletons in her closet, surrounded by an oppressive town society, so puritane as hypocrite and, at times, sordid.
With superb performances and such intriguing stories about uptown scandals, this remains as a kitschy classic, if it would be supreme under the directorial ouevre of Douglas Sirk.
Based upon Grace Metalious' then-scandalous best-seller, it's now more a film for melodrama fans (and specially for Lana's devotees) than the notorious one that shocked audiences at its time; in fact, it was the most money-account title of its year and spanned the well-known TV series.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting, well made soap opera from the fifties
Review: Peyton Place (sometimes called Pagan Place by wagsters) was the King's Row of the fifties. It received a good production with an intelligent script, good performances, fine photography and music (Franz Waxman). Lana Turner emerged as a mature actress in this one. A good example of how Hollywood now and then treated sensational material with good taste and discretion. 3 1/2 stars.
Rating:
Summary: 5 star movie with old-school twist
Review: Peyton Place is a crazy, wonderfully filmed movie.The plot keeps you on the edge of your seat.
Between rape, harsh lies, and death, this movie teaches you about life, and how important family can be.
Rating:
Summary: Get this DVD-Peyton Place the classic soap opera
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Get this DVD-Peyton Place the classic soap opera
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Want To Know Where The Term "Peyton Place" Came From?
Review: 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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