With fine acting by Dorothy malone, Mia Farrow and Ryan O’Neal, among others, the nightime soap opera stretched the boundaries of what was considered morally acceptable in pre-sexual revolution America.
“Peyton Place” was one of those TV series that helped mold a generation of teens, becoming the topic of conversation in school yards and on campuses around the country. Others that come to mind are “The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet” (as David and Rick grew into teens) and “The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis,” which aired from 1959 to 1963.
“This is the continuing story of Peyton Place” the soothing voice of benevolent town elder Matthew Swain (Warner Anderson) would begin every episode. But the stories that followed were anything but soothing. Extramarital affairs, unwed teen pregnancies, family betrayals, mental illness and even murder were all lurking behind the storybook façade of this picture-perfect, centuries-old New England village and its citizens.
The series ran for 514 episodes until 1969.
In the 50s people were shocked by the book and teens had to carry their copies wrapped in book covers or plain paper; in the mid-60s we were shocked when Mia Farrow cut her loose, blond hair to less than a few inches in length before leaving the show and marrying Frank Sinatra in 1966; now we’re shocked that it’s taken so long for the series to come to home video.
Due May 19, 2009 is “Peyton Place: Part One,” a five-disc set with 31 episodes, to be followed by “Peyton Place: Part Two,” another five-disc set with 31 episodes, due July 14.
Both sets have a $39.99 list price.
Now if only Dobie would come to DVD.
Source: Shout! Factory press release.
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