Films

Peyton Place (20th Century Fox, 1957)

Louella Parsons breaks the news that Lana will be playing the role of Constance MacKenzie in "Peyton Place" in her column of April 15, 1957. Lou Valentino Collection

Production Dates: Late April, 1957-Late August, 1957

Release Date: December 13, 1957.

Credited Cast and Crew:

Lana Turner, Hope Lange, Diane Varsi, Russ Tamblyn.

Directed by: Mark Robson

Writing Credits: John Michael Hayes (screenplay)

Produced by: Jerry Wald

Original Music by: Franz Waxman

Cinematography by: William C. Mellor

Synopsis: The goings on behind the closed doors of a sleepy New England Town.

My Review: By 1957, Lana Turner had come full circle. She had begun her career two decades before playing teenagers and ingénues and now here she was playing a mother to one.  The role of the repressed Constance MacKenzie was a departure for her, after she had been playing the man killer for so long and she drabbed up her clothes, darkened her hair and made the part her own. The result was (for once) a critically lauded performance, Oscar nomination and new phase of her career. Her days of being Louis B. Mayer's little blonde vamp were over.

As terrific as Lana was in her role, Peyton Place is very much an ensemble piece, and Hope Lange, Diane Varsi, Russ Tamblyn, Arthur Kennedy and Terry Moore all shine in their roles as the residents of the town, most of whom keep dark secrets. The confrontation scenes between Lana and Varsi are the stuff that Oscar nominations are made of and one wonders what direction Lana's career (and life) would have taken, had she taken home the award. Beautifully shot in Maine, the DVD of this film, with it's bright colors and restored soundtrack, is definitely worth checking out.

Your Review: What are YOUR thoughts on this film? Contact me at Liza@lanaturneronline.com

Highlights and Trivia

*This was the highest grossing film of 1957.

*Some of the jewels that Lana wears in this film were gifts from her then boyfriend, Johnny Stompanato. Lana later recalled that when watching the film on television she would always get chills whenever she recognized them.

*Exterior scenes of Peyton Place were photographed in the town of Camden, Maine.

*Based on the book Peyton Place by Grace Metalious

*Lana received her only Oscar nomination for this film.                  

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Photo Gallery

Lana and Diane Varsi share a moment 1957's "Peyton Place" Lou Valentino Collection.    A Spanish lobby card for "Peyton Place", 1957.    A lobby card for 1957's "Peyton Place".   Lana and Hope Lange in a tense scene from 1957's "Peyton Place".

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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