Let's be "Peyton Place" (1957)

Hope Lange. Woohoo!!

I'm David Nelson, out of my depth but desperately trying not to let it show.

I'm Betty Anderson, the OG slut from the valley.

I'm the "new" ideas brought to town by new principal Michael Rossi. I'll get tongues wagging!

[quote]I'm Betty Anderson, the OG slut from the valley.

Oh, no you're NOT, bitch!

I'm the glorious Franz Waxman score, which somehow failed to be nominated for an Academy Award.

I'm the light switch in the living room, being furiously flipped by Lana Turner to express my disapproval at (horrors!) TEENAGE NECKING!

I'm the dictionary given to the beloved frumpy h. s. English teacher.

I'm the film's gorgeous location shooting which still looks arousing today. I'm also the film's whole look. I'm one of the most idyllic slices of Americana ever put on film and I somehow make the fact that nobody is trying to make it look like the mid '40s (not the late '50s) not really matter -- because how could the town ever have looked otherwise in the past?

I'm ALSO the studio-bound sequel. I'm only a few years later yet seem like a decade away: the ski-resort, the sleek fashions, the Italian actress... I miss the point entirely.

I'm Lana Turner playing a prude in a bullet bra.

^ Could've stopped at "I'm Lana Turner."

I'm the Tweed Shoppe. Even though I'm owned by Prude-zilla Constance MacKenzie, I still carry plenty of fashions that appeal to trampy Betty Anderson.

One of those rare instances when the movie is far better than the source.

r13, I love the book -- I've read it twice -- but it's very episodic with vignettes that don't go anywhere. The marvel of John Michael Hayes' screenplay is how he streamlines the story into a cohesive whole, adding some humor and making it palatable for movie audiences.

Yes, it's really one of the few 'soap opera' style films that actually has a cohesive narrative. Instead of just being a series of campy 'moments'.

Like *cough* Valley of the Dolls.

Ironically, r15, from the same director, Mark Robson. It's like he really made an effort to create a quality film out of a trashy novel, and then 10 years later couldn't give a shit.

I’m handsome Rodney "Rod" Harrington. Betty Anderson says my name is very appropriate.

R13 / R14 I've never read the book, but I do know that the author, Grace Metalious, was a story consultant for the film and was so horrified by the screenplay's "sanitizing" of the novel that she left the project. She was very outspoken about her displeasure with the film. In any event, I think it is a great movie—melodramatic, yes, but well-structured and visually stunning. It almost has a fairytale-like look to it. I'd highly recommend the Blu-ray edition by Twilight Time to anyone who is a fan of the film. It's one of those movies that really benefits from an HD presentation.

r18 What did she expect? The Production Code was still in effect so there were limits on how much they could do.

I'm the Christmas tree in the fixed-up Cross shack. Whenever I appear in a melodrama, you know someone's getting thrown into me and I'm getting knocked over.

Twilight Time is going out of business, so anyone who wants the Peyton Place Blu-ray better hurry up.

I'm Nellie Cross, just hang'in around Allison's closet.

I'm Arthur Kennedy's dirty greasy overalls.

I’m Doc Swain's abortion instruments, which he just happened to have handy.

I'm Camden, Maine, r9!

Here’s a video for you, R25.

I am the GORGEOUS Lee Phillips, who played Michael Rossi. It's a crime that Barry Coe got to take off his shirt, but not ME! I only got to reveal my buff bod on a Perry Mason episode.

A few years ago, I visited Camden, Maine and took in all the Peyton Place film sites. I can't tell you what a thrill it was! I used to watch the television serial with my mother when I was a wee bairn and have always been fascinated with the property in all its incarnations. It was great to walk down the streets of Camden and explore the area: the library, harbor, churches, commercial district, private homes, and the view atop Mount Battie (which is seen in the opening shot of the movie and where Ms Varsi and Mr Tamblyn take their hike) look EXACTLY the same as they did in the film!! I'm not ashamed to say I took photos!