Interesting 'Peyton Place' Facts: Enjoy Watching This Film Series

'Peyton Place' is a movie franchise based on a novel of the same name, and it is sure to keep viewers entertained from beginning to end.

The first film in the series was released in 1957 and was based on the novel by Grace Metalious of the same name. The film was a huge success, grossing over $11 million at the box office.

The second film in the television series, 'Return to Peyton Place,' was released in 1964. The film was not as successful as the first, but it did receive positive reviews from critics.

The third and final film in the series, 'The New Peyton Place,' was released in 1971. The film was not very successful either, but it did receive some critical acclaim.

Despite the fact that the films were not all commercial successes, they remain popular to this day. In fact, the television series has been cited as an influence on many subsequent films and television shows.

The show was originally going to be called 'Somerset' after the town it was set in. However, the town of Peyton Place threatened to sue the show if they used the name, so the producers changed it.

The 'Peyton Place' film series is based on the novel, and it follows the lives of the residents of a small New England town. The series is famous for its frank portrayal of sexuality, and it has been praised by critics for its realistic depiction of life in a small town.

'Peyton Place' was one of the first primetime soap operas when it debuted in 1964. It was also one of the first shows to deal with controversial topics.

Reading on you will learn some interesting facts about 'Peyton Place' that you may not have known before, with a brief overview of the characters so that you can get excited about watching it!

Actors And Characters In 'Peyton Place'

The film series 'Peyton Place' is based on the 1956 novel of the same name by Grace Metalious. The four-part mini-series aired on ABC in September and October 1964. It starred Lee Philips as Lucas Cross, Betty Anderson as Allison MacKenzie, Russ Tamblyn as Rodney Harrington, and Mia Farrow as Rachel Welles.

Grace Metalious, author of the novel 'Peyton Place,' based her work on her own small-town upbringing. Lana Turner was originally cast to play the role of Constance MacKenzie, but she was eventually replaced by Dorothy Malone. John Michael Hayes wrote the screenplay for the film adaptation of 'Peyton Place.'

The movie adaptation of 'Peyton Place' had an all-star cast, including Lana Turner, Ryan O'Neal, and Mia Farrow. Each actor brought their own unique personality to their role, making the film series a must-watch for any fan of the novel.

Turner played the role of Constance MacKenzie with conviction and grace, making her one of the most iconic characters in the series. O'Neal played the role of Rodney Harrington with charisma and charm, endearing him to audiences everywhere.

Farrow brought a sense of innocence and naivete to her role as Selena Cross, making her one of the most memorable characters in the film.

Behind The Scene Facts

The town of Peyton Place was actually filmed in California, not Maine, as the setting would suggest. The exterior shots were done in various locations around Los Angeles, while the interior shots were done on soundstages.

The film series was shot in California over a period of four months. Many scenes were shot on location, including the town square, the library, and several homes.

To create the fictional town of Peyton Place, filmmakers used the towns of Sierra Madre, Monrovia, and Pasadena. Some locals were used as extras in the film, and many of the businesses in town were used as filming locations.

The film's budget was $500,000, and it was distributed by United Artists. 'Peyton Place' was one of the first films to deal with controversial topics.

Budget And Awards

The film series was made on a budget of $11 million, and it managed to rake in a total of $44.25 million at the box office.

Did you know that the Academy Award-winning film producer Mark Robson was responsible for bringing 'Peyton Place' to the big screen? He directed the movie adaptation of the popular novel, which was released in 1957. Interestingly enough, John Lennon's stepfather, Tony Cox, had a small role in the film.

This series was honored with the Best Picture award at the Golden Globes, cementing its place as a classic in American culture.

Filming locations included California, New York, and Massachusetts. Some of the exterior shots were filmed in Salem, Massachusetts. The town's colonial architecture provided the perfect backdrop for the film series.

Costumes were also a major part of the films' success. The wardrobe department spent over $200,000 on clothes alone. Many of the costumes were designed by Edith Head, who had won eight Academy Awards for her costume designs by that point.

The 1957 film, 'Peyton Place,' was nominated for seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture. The school principal in the movie is played by Lee Grant, who would later win an Oscar for her role in the 1975 movie 'Shampoo.'

Another film based on the book, 'Harper Valley PTA,' came out in 1978 and was also among the Oscar nominations.

FAQs

How long did 'Peyton Place' run?

The original 'Peyton Place' TV series aired from September 15, 1964, to June 11, 1969. A total of 324 episodes were produced.

The show was revived in 1977 for a final season, which ran from February 14 to May 23. So in all, the show ran for seven seasons. Interestingly enough, the movie that served as the basis for the series only ran for two weeks in theaters.

Why did Mia Farrow leave 'Peyton Place?'

Mia Farrow left the show after just one season, reportedly because she was uncomfortable with the nature of her character's storylines. She was replaced by another actress, Barbara Parkins.

What happened to Allison on 'Peyton Place?'

Allison left Peyton Place and moved to New York City to start a new life. Allison never talked about what happened to her in Peyton Place, but she did write a book about her experiences. The book was turned into a movie called 'The Allison Mackenzie Story.'

Was the book 'Peyton Place' banned?

The first novel 'Peyton Place' was banned in Boston when it was published in 1956. The reason for the ban was because of the book's frank portrayal of controversial topics.

The book was made into a motion picture in 1957, and the movie was also banned in Boston. However, the ban on the film was lifted after a few weeks.

What was the story of 'Peyton Place?'

The story 'Peyton Place' was a soap opera that aired on ABC from 1964 to 1969. The show was set in the fictional New Hampshire town of Peyton Place and told the stories of its residents.

'Peyton Place' was one of the first primetime soap operas, and it was very popular during its run. The show was known for its dramatic storylines and its all-star cast, which included stars like Mia Farrow, Ryan O'Neal, and Barbara Parkins.

Why is 'Peyton Place' important?

Whether you're a fan of the movie series or not, there's no denying that Peyton Place is one of the most interesting small towns in America. 'Peyton Place' is important because it was one of the first primetime soap operas.

The show was groundbreaking in its depiction of taboo subjects. 'Peyton Place' also featured strong female characters, something that was rare on television at the time.

The show was hugely popular when it aired, and it spawned a number of spin-offs. 'Peyton Place' is still remembered today, and it has been the subject of several remakes and adaptations.