Peyton Place: Part Two

"The Continuing Story of Peyton Place"
Shout! Factory is releasing "Peyton Place-Part 2" even before Part 1 is out, so this confirms to us that the studio is dedicated in bringing back this blockbuster soap via DVD format. I for one am very happy. "Peyton Place" was never released commercially through VHS, and this marks the first time the series has ever been on DVD. The serial has also been rarely seen through television during the last several decades. The only time I recall when "Peyton Place" was on was in the late 1990's when Romance Classics aired it, but unfortunately the channel went off the air before the entire library of shows were broadcast. Those episodes that did air were jumpy and scratchy. Now thanks to DVD we will see "Peyton Place" the way it should be shown; in crystle-clear digital format.
This boxset contains 33 30 minute episodes, uncut, without commercials. The reason the studio is releasing the boxsets in "Parts" is because the serial did not run from season to season, but rather was...

The New England Story -If You Want to Believe It
In Episode 36, Elliot Carson asks, "All the solid citizens of Peyton Place are good people, aren't they?" to which sensible Ada Jacks replies wryly, "That's the New England story if you want to believe it." Well, don't believe it for a second. As the continuing story of Peyton Place unfolds in this second DVD set from Shout Factory, viewers learn that everything in the town of 9,875 is not really as it seems. While the previous DVD set established core characters and laid the foundation for stories, Peyton Place truly begins firing on all cylinders in the next 31 episodes.

Among the shorter story arcs presented: George and Julie Anderson's marriage crumbles as George begins hallucinating and flashing back to his experiences in World War II. After running away to New York, Betty meets sophisticated "kept woman" Sharon Purcell (a luminous performance by actress Dayna Ceder -whatever happened to her?). Although Betty's New York adventure only lasts for six episodes, its impact...

Mia Farrow: The World of Peyton Place Continues
There is no question about it. The best episodes of Peyton Place were the ones which starred Mia Farrow. Mia Farrow is the virginal heroine of the story, who stays innocent, among all the backstabbing, lies of all around her. When Mia left the show, a void was placed, which was never filled. Mia looked so beautiful with her long flowing blonde hair. Also, it was nice to see Mia quoting poetry and using it to understand the troubled world around her. Other beauty queens of the show were Barbara Parkins, Dorothy Malone, Casey Rogers and Lee Grant.

Highlights of the first season: The triangle of Rodney Harrington, Betty Anderson and Alison Mackenzie, Constance Mackenzie's dark secret from her daughter, the romantic development of Dr. Rossi and Constance Mackenzie, the wonderful acting of Casey Rogers as Mrs. Anderson, and the introduction of Lee Grant as Stella Chernak, who blows the other cast members away with her acting. I will not go into details of the plots because I am...

Click to Editorial Reviews