Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
"The Continuing Story of Peyton Place", March 24, 2009
Shout! Factory is releasing "Peyton Place-Part 2" even before Part 1 is out, so this confirms to us that the studio is dedicated in bringing back this blockbuster soap via DVD format. I for one am very happy. "Peyton Place" was never released commercially through VHS, and this marks the first time the series has ever been on DVD. The serial has also been rarely seen through television during the last several decades. The only time I recall when "Peyton Place" was on was in the late 1990's when Romance Classics aired it, but unfortunately the channel went off the air before the entire library of shows were broadcast. Those episodes that did air were jumpy and scratchy. Now thanks to DVD we will see "Peyton Place" the way it should be shown; in crystle-clear digital format.
This boxset contains 33 30 minute episodes, uncut, without commercials. The reason the studio is releasing the boxsets in "Parts" is because the serial did not run from season to season, but rather was broadcast like a continuing soap opera. "Peyton Place" ran continuously for 5 full years, every week, with a brand new episode, and it never aired reruns, or had a summer hiatus period; it ran straight through the summer with new shows. The serial is the only primtime series to ever air with all-new shows for its entire run, and no other show has ever done this since.
The first year was the show's best as Ryan O'Neil and Mia Farrow played star-crossed lovers Rodney and Allison. Things got worse for them as Betty Anderson, played by Barbara Parkins, pursued Rodney.
"Peyton Place" is regarded by most soap opera critics as being one of the best network serials ever broadcast, and it gave way to other primetime shows like "Dynasty". Even "Peyton Place" star Dorothy Malone stated in 1985 that "Dynasty" was her favorite all-time serial.
The serial was based on the 1957 Lana Turner film of the same name, that received a whopping 9 Academy Award nominations, but winning none. That film, was in turn, based on a novel written by Grace Matalious in 1956. ABC bought the television rights, and in conjuction with 20th Century Fox, produced this television version. At first ABC was going to air an American adaption of Britain's "Coronation Street", but later felt audiences wouldn't warm up to the working-class storyline. The network even hired daytime soap opera creator/writer Irna Phillips, widely regarded as the "Queen of Soaps", to be a consultant.
514 episodes of "Peyton Place" were produced, and the show ran from September 15, 1964-June 2, 1969, and it even spawned a daytime serial, that was only moderately successful, called "Return to Peyton Place", that ran on NBC from 1972-1974. Two TV movies also aired after the mothershow went off the air; "Murder in Peyton Place" aired in 1977, and in 1985 "Peyton Place-The Next Generation" was broadcast on NBC.
Sit back and enjoy a true classic televison program. They don't make soaps like this anymore!
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Mia Farrow: The World of Peyton Place Continues, March 26, 2009
There is no question about it. The best episodes of Peyton Place were the ones which starred Mia Farrow. Mia Farrow is the virginal heroine of the story, who stays innocent, among all the backstabbing, lies of all around her. When Mia left the show, a void was placed, which was never filled. Mia looked so beautiful with her long flowing blonde hair. Also, it was nice to see Mia quoting poetry and using it to understand the troubled world around her. Other beauty queens of the show were Barbara Parkins, Dorothy Malone, Casey Rogers and Lee Grant.
Highlights of the first season: The triangle of Rodney Harrington, Betty Anderson and Alison Mackenzie, Constance Mackenzie's dark secret from her daughter, the romantic development of Dr. Rossi and Constance Mackenzie, the wonderful acting of Casey Rogers as Mrs. Anderson, and the introduction of Lee Grant as Stella Chernak, who blows the other cast members away with her acting. I will not go into details of the plots because I am not a spoiler. It more fun for you to watch this for yourself.
I commend Shout: Factory for releasing these episodes so quickly to the Peyton Place fans and hopefully, a new generation of fans. It would be nice to have interviews with the surviving cast members of the show, especially Barbara Parkins, Mia Farrow and Dorothy Malone. Also, it would be nice to have the two t.v. movies based on the show released as a bonus feature.
Anyway, I love this show and thanks Shout for releasing this on dvd.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The New England Story -If You Want to Believe It, April 15, 2009
In Episode 36, Elliot Carson asks, "All the solid citizens of Peyton Place are good people, aren't they?" to which sensible Ada Jacks replies wryly, "That's the New England story if you want to believe it." Well, don't believe it for a second. As the continuing story of Peyton Place unfolds in this second DVD set from Shout Factory, viewers learn that everything in the town of 9,875 is not really as it seems. While the previous DVD set established core characters and laid the foundation for stories, Peyton Place truly begins firing on all cylinders in the next 31 episodes.
Among the shorter story arcs presented: George and Julie Anderson's marriage crumbles as George begins hallucinating and flashing back to his experiences in World War II. After running away to New York, Betty meets sophisticated "kept woman" Sharon Purcell (a luminous performance by actress Dayna Ceder -whatever happened to her?). Although Betty's New York adventure only lasts for six episodes, its impact will reverberate throughout the remainder of the program's run when Leslie Harrington's private detective makes a grievous misinterpretation of Betty's interaction with Sharon's associates. In other stories, Rodney and Allison move tentatively toward a relationship, while Norman Harrington finds a kindred spirit in the underprivileged Rita Jacks. Patricia Morrow's sensitive portrayal of a bad-girl-gone-good is absolutely flawless, with Rita eventually becoming one of the most beloved characters in the series.
However, it is Elliot Carson's return to Peyton Place in episode 32 which really drives the narrative for the next 30 episodes. In an epic plot involving all of the major characters, dark secrets are finally exposed as Elliot fights to prove his innocence in the brutal murder of his adulterous wife Elizabeth eighteen years earlier. This long story arc culminates with a violent conclusion more or less cribbed years later for the second season finale of Falcon Crest. When the real killer of Elizabeth Carson is ultimately revealed in episode 62, many lives in Peyton Place will be changed forever...
Episodes included in this 5 DVD set (minor spoilers):
Episode 32: Aired: 1/5/1965
Leslie's private detective Mr. Blaine locates Betty in a Boston hotel. George threatens to kill Rodney if anything happens to Betty. Elliot arrives and wanders the deserted streets of Peyton Place.
Episode 33 - Aired: 1/7/1965
Allison tells Rodney that Betty is in New York, but she doesn't want to be "found". A hallucinating George locks himself in the Peyton Place Professional Building with a loaded gun.
Episode 34 - Aired: 1/12/1965
Elliot begs Connie not to be afraid of him. As the police converge at George's office, a shot is fired.
Episode 35 - Aired: 1/14/1965
Laura decides to give up her pursuit of Rossi and leave Peyton Place. Boarding house landlady Mrs. Hewitt tells Elliot that most townspeople think his late wife Elizabeth got exactly what she deserved.
Episode 36 - Aired: 1/19/1965
Betty meets the sophisticated Sharon Purcell in New York. Tavern owner Ada Jacks suggests Elliot let sleeping dogs lie. A tipsy Laura gives some parting advice to the Harrington family.
Episode 37 - Aired: 1/21/1965
Julie prepares to move back into her empty home. Elliot gets a frosty reception from his former father-in-law Calvin Hanley. In New York, Sharon dazzles Betty with her glamorous lifestyle.
Episode 38 - Aired: 1/26/1965
Elliot confronts Paul Hanley, Elizabeth's younger brother, whose eyewitness testimony convicted Elliot. Betty moves into Sharon's luxurious Manhattan apartment. Dr. Rossi has bad news about Elliot's father Eli.
Episode 39 - Aired: 1/28/1965
Betty declares herself a "New York Cinderella". Connie is uncomfortable when Allison speculates about Elizabeth Carson's murder.
Episode 40 - Aired: 2/2/1965
Connie reassures Elliot that growing up, Allison never wanted for anything. Betty's blind date, set up by Sharon, turns dangerous.
Episode 41 - Aired: 2/4/1965
Calvin reassures Paul that he did the right thing by testifying against Elliot at the murder trial. Julie phones Rodney with news that Betty is coming home, but Leslie warns him that Detective Blaine has disturbing information about Betty's escapades in New York.
Episode 42 - Aired: 2/9/1965
Betty returns to Peyton Place. Connie supports Elliot as his father goes into surgery.
Episode 43 - Aired: 2/11/1965
Betty makes a deal with Leslie to free Rodney from marriage. Elliot quite literally shatters Connie's lie. Rodney is jealous of Paul's attention toward Allison.
Episode 44 - Aired: 2/16/1965
Elliot threatens Paul. Matt informs Leslie that Peyton Mill is reverting back to Martin Peyton's ownership.
Episode 45 - Aired: 2/18/1965
Leslie gives Rodney a copy of Detective Blaine's report on Betty. Connie admits to Rossi she's to blame if Elliot actually killed Elizabeth.
Episode 46 - Aired: 2/23/1965
Robert Wainwright, Martin Peyton's lawyer, questions Elliot about the murder of Elizabeth and asks if Elliot knows the identity of the man Elizabeth was seeing. Eli Carson learns the truth about Allison.
Episode 47 - Aired: 2/25/1965
Julie bids Leslie farewell. Elliot orders Allison to stay away from Paul Hanley.
Episode 48 - Aired: 3/2/1965
Elliot warns Connie that Paul is suspicious about what happened 18 years ago. After a visit from Leslie's attorney, a Peyton Place resident collapses and dies.
Episode 49 - Aired: 3/4/1965
Paul finds "Pandora's Box" hidden in a closet. Dr. Rossi helps Betty embark upon a new career.
Episode 50 - Aired: 3/9/1965
Rodney attempts to rekindle his relationship with Allison. Elliot discovers a diary wrapped in an 18 year-old newspaper announcing the murder of Elizabeth Hanley Carson.
Episode 51 - Aired: 3/11/1965
Betty clashes with a new supervisor. Elliot has proof of Elizabeth's affair with a prominent Peyton Place citizen.
Episode 52 - Aired: 3/16/1965
Constance is blackmailed into suppressing evidence in Elizabeth Carson's murder. Norman is taunted by lower-class Rita Jacks and her boyfriend Kitch at The Shoreline Cafe.
Episode 53 - Aired: 3/18/1965
A drunken Norman is confined to the Pillory in the town square. Connie tells an enraged Elliot about the blackmail threats, and Elliot promises to stop it.
Episode 54 - Aired: 3/23/1965
Rita visits Norman in the hospital and meets a disapproving Rodney. Leslie makes an admission about what happened the night Elizabeth was murdered.
Episode 55 - Aired: 3/25/1965
Dr. Morton learns that his daughter Claire is coming home to Peyton Place from Lima, Peru. Paul demands that Elliot return Elizabeth's diary so that the guilty party can be punished at last.
Episode 56 - Aired: 3/30/1965
Paul visits Leslie and accuses him of murdering Elizabeth. Norman asks Rita out on a date, but she insists his family will never approve of her.
Episode 57 - Aired: 4/1/1965
Elliot is served with a subpoena. Ada approves of Rita and Norman's relationship. Leslie receives an unexpected visitor at the Peyton Mill.
Episode 58 - Aired: 4/6/1965
Wainwright offers Leslie a settlement in exchange for his resignation from the Peyton Mill. Elliot attempts to warn Leslie that an enemy is on the way to kill him.
Episode 59 - Aired: 4/8/1965
Paul's revenge against Leslie backfires, leaving an innocent party fighting for life after an attempted murder at the Peyton mansion.
Episode 60 - Aired: 4/13/1965
Dr. Rossi and Dr. Morton fight to save the gunshot victim in surgery. Paul tells Allison about the shooting at the Peyton mansion.
Episode 61 - Aired: 4/15/1965
Claire Morton arrives at Doctor's Hospital and meets Mike Rossi. Elliot receives thanks for saving a life.
Episode 62 - Aired: 4/20/1965
A full confession to Elizabeth Carson's murder is made.
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