Payton Place (1957)

VHS COVER/SIDE

Length of film: 157 Minutes

Rated:  Approved

Genre: Drama, Romance

Director: Mark Robson

Starring: Lana Turner, Lee Phillips, Lloyd Nolan, Arthur Kennedy, Russ Tamblyn Terry Moore, Hope Lange, Diane Varsi

IMDB Rank: 7.2/10

Part 1 Time:  108 Minutes 

Part 2 Time:   49 Minutes

Where does the first part end? Allison MacKenzie (Diane Varsi) gets on a bus leaving for New York. She says goodbye to Selena Cross (Hope Lange)

Final line of dialogue on the first part: “Oh Selena” Allison Mackenzie responds as she hugs Selena Cross.

First line of dialogue on the second part: “I cried all the way to New York and my eyes were the colour of the oak leaves that had started to fall back home.” Allison Mackenzie narrates.

How jarring is it when the first part ends? Somewhat/Jarring, Peyton Place does is not what it seems as various events unfold that challenge the high moral standards upheld within the town. Constance Mackenzie (Lana Turner) reveals the truth to Allison about her father. Allison leaves Peyton Place for good. What will happen to Allison moving forward?

Which part is better? This film is similar to a soap opera having multiple story lines involving various characters and conflicts which resolve throughout. Both parts show the hypocrisy of the many residents living in the town of Peyton Place. Part one is given a slight edge due to the innocence portrayed by the teenagers and varying story lines introduced.

Academy Awards:  Best Picture (Nominated), Best Leading Actress (Nominated-Lana Turner), Best Leading Actor (Nominated-Arthur Kennedy), Best Supporting Actor (Nominated-Russ Tamblyn), Best Supporting Actress (Nominated-Hope Lange), Best Supporting Actress (Nominated-Diane Varsi), Best Director (Nominated), Best Writing-Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium (Nominated), Best Cinematography (Nominated)