In this old fashioned Mark Robson soap opera from Grace Metalious' novel, almost all the characters are desperately horny, but the discreet charm calls for respectability and decorum. Even "the town's tramp" (Terry Moore) becomes a respected widow in war time. This over-rated melodrama is a curiosity for today's generations (if they want to learn or laugh at- the rewards of restraining their libidos), with Diane Varsi and Hope Lange in star-turning roles. Unfortunately, Varsi had to wait ten years to break the Allison MacKenzie stereotype with "Wild in the Streets", "Bloody Mama" and "Johnny Got His Gun", and Lange never had another good role again (she has so little screen time on "Blue Velvet" that it does not count.)
Review of Peyton Place
