STEVE HAYES: Tired Old Queen at the Movies - PEYTON PLACE

PEYTON PLACE (1957)
"The book that could never be filmed!" In 1957, screenwriter John Michael Hayes faced this kind of stigma over the film version of "Peyton Place", Grace Metalious's scandalous bestseller about the dirty secrets of small town life in America. Hayes however, beat the odds and turned in an Oscar nominated screenplay that eventually earned the film the reputation of being "The best film ever made from a bad book!"
In the lead role of Constance, the repressed mother, director Mark Robson cast Lana Turner against type and she received her only nomination as Best Actress. For the teenagers, he cast virtual unknowns, Diane Varsi, Hope Lange and Russ Tamblin, all nominated as well, along with screen veterans Terry Moore, Betty Field, Mildred Dunnock and Arthur Kennedy who got an Oscar nod as the town drunk. Nominated as Best Picture and shot on location in Technicolor, with a glorious score by Franz Waxman, "Peyton Place" proved to be more than just fodder for soap operas. The end result is a valentine to young love, innocence and life before and after World War II.

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with John "Johnny" Bixler and Steve Hayes

Thanks to Wayne Wilson aka Toyuki1 for this wonderful animation! http://www.youtube.com/user/Toyuki

Category:

Education

Tags:

• John Michael Hayes
• Peyton Place
• Grace Metalious
• gossip
• scandal
• Mark Robson
• Lana Turner
• Academy Award
• Oscar
• Diane Varsi
• Hope Lange
• Russ Tamblin
• Terry Moore
• Betty Field
• Mildred Dunnock
• Arthur Kennedy
• Technicolor
• Franz Waxman
• soap opera
• Return to Peyton Place
• John Bixler
• Steve Hayes
• gay
• animation

[DrewArriola]

hey Steve, can you review a Jayne Mansfield movie? or can you recommend one for me? pleaseee! love ya!

[STEVEHAYESTOQ]

@DrewArriola

I would recommend "Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? " with Tony Randell and "Say One For Me" with Cary Grant. Jayne is funny in both. But her movies are hard to get on DVD for some reason. Thanks for watching!

OXOX

TOQ

[rbrown2697]

Peyton Place is very entertaining!

If you haven't already reviewed it, I'd like to request "A Summer Place" with Sandra Dee and Troy Donahue. I love that movie.

[STEVEHAYESTOQ]

@rbrown2697

And mean ole' Constnace Ford as Sandra's evil momma! I'll put it on the "to do" list. Thanks for watching!

[STEVEHAYESTOQ]

@rbrown2697

And featuring mean ole' Constance Ford as Sandra's awful mother! I'll put it on the "to do" list!!!

Thanks for watching!

OXOXOX

TOQ

[miltsar]

Steve...whatever happened to Diane Varsi ?.... I remember she was being touted as the next big thing and then she disappeared....

[STEVEHAYESTOQ]

@miltsar

I loved her! She made "Ten North Frederick" with Gary Cooper and "Compulsion" with Orson Welles, then got discouraged and left the movie biz for a decade. She then returned in "Johnny Got His Gun" before dying tragically in her early 40's of Lime disease. She, Hope Lange, Russ Tamblyn & Arthur Kennedy were all nominated for Best Supporting Oscars for Peyton Place. They lost to Red Buttons and Myoshi Umeki for "Sayonara". Thanks for watching!

[zanetierney]

you're right! i do really love this movie...its long been an all time favorite of mine. its a beautiful looking film...and i love the truly stellar work of diane varsi and hope lange [to me , she was really robbed of the oscar].....so good!!

[Zander45]

This is how I found your marvelous site!I was looking for info on Peyton Place TV series.You are a wealth of movie knowledge,and knowing that your an actor,I could see you in a in a sitcom.I have had much enjoyment watching your movie reviews,Please don't stop! hugs Alex

[jaymusseato]

>JEEZ-LOU-EEZE...what'chew got against the 1930's ???

[Muirmaiden]

I really love this movie! I love the book too. I really loved the performances of Lana Turner, Diane Varsi, Hope Lange, Russ Tamblyn, Arthur Kennedy, Lloyd Nolan, Mildred Dunnock and Betty Field. Anyone notice the parallel between this film, "King's Row" (1942)? Betty Field played a character very similar to Selena Cross.

[BearyHairy]

Peyton Place (Gilmanton, New Hampshire). GraceMetalious ripped the lid off of the stench-filled community; & they despised her for it. Instead of appreciating the fact that she let some fresh air into the staid, puritanical caldron; the reaction was torrid shunning. How anal can one town be? I've interviewed folks there, (who referred to Grace as “Gracie” in an affectionate tone); who quietly seemed happy she wrote what she did.She is buried in Gilmanton Iron Works, Smith Meeting House Cemetery

[lefa]

I just adore Peyton Place, it's just behind imitation of life for me to say the least.

Thank you!!!

[fancycharmed]

The very first Lana Turner movie I ever saw, before I knew what a big star she was in the 40's and I thought she was ravishing! Hope Lange was so underrated in her career and people only remember her on "Ghost and Mrs Muir".. even though she had an acting career. Love this movie could watch it over and over again (I think I have!)

[KeatonMovieFever]

Steve: It's a great pity that local TV isn't what it used to be. You'd have made a wonderful "Million Dollar Movie"-type host. You're very witty and insightful.

BTW, in regard to your previous comment, both "Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?" and "The Girl Can't Help It" -- both of which starred Jayne Mansfield, were directed by Frank Tashlin, and had two of the most hilarious cold openings ever -- are out on DVD.