Peyton Place (TV series)

History

ABC aimed to replicate the success of the British serial Coronation Street in America with Peyton Place, deciding to air it in prime time. The influence of CBS head James T. Aubrey's salacious programming also played a role. Producer Paul Monash sought to revive Grace Metalious's novel, refusing to label the show a soap opera, instead calling it a 'high-class anthology drama'. An hour-long pilot was shot in 1962, originally including the Cross family from the novel, but Irna Phillips, contracted to revise the pilot, scrapped that family.

Disagreements among the creators delayed the official pilot until September 15, 1964. Early stories adapted the 1956 book and 1957 film, though some character names, backstories, and occupations were changed or eliminated. The time setting shifted from the early 1940s to the present day, and the town's location was established as Massachusetts in the fourth episode. Sensational plot lines like incest were replaced with less controversial themes such as teen pregnancy.

The series faced immediate criticism for its sexual themes. Peyton Place became an instant hit, initially airing twice weekly, then increasing to three times a week in June 1965. When Dorothy Malone underwent emergency surgery, Lola Albright temporarily took over her role as Constance MacKenzie.

Plots

The series opens with a shot of a church steeple, the words 'Peyton Place' superimposed, and tolling church bells. Announcer Dick Tufeld states, 'This is the continuing story of Peyton Place.' Scenes of the town square, a brook, and a panoramic view follow, dissolving to cast members, a sponsor tag, and narration of previous events by Warner Anderson, who also played Matthew Swain. In 1966, the message changed to 'In color, the continuing story of Peyton Place.'

Anderson left the series after the first season but continued as narrator until the final episode. In the first episode, Dr. Michael Rossi arrives from New York City to set up practice. Newspaper editor Matthew Swain remarks that people usually try to leave towns like Peyton Place, not move there. Matthew's third cousin Allison MacKenzie, a friend of classmate Norman Harrington, begins falling in love with his older brother Rodney after their first kiss.

Allison's mother Constance disapproves of the relationship. Rodney discovers his father Leslie embracing his secretary Julie Anderson, the mother of Rodney's girlfriend Betty. Confused, Rodney breaks up with Betty and starts seeing Allison. Betty, hurt, discovers she is pregnant and tells Rodney; he agrees to marry her.

After a car accident, Betty miscarries but does not tell Rodney until after their wedding, though Dr. Rossi, his nurse Laura, and Betty's parents knew. Dr. Rossi and Constance grow closer, though she is uneasy about his possible purchase of the Carson beachfront home due to Elizabeth Carson's murder there.