Films are an important part of my life since I am a film studies major, and I think it is important for people to make it a point to explore some of the amazing films from the decades preceding the 2000‘s. You read classic books, so why not watch classic films? That is why I have decided to share one of my favorite classic films about incest, adultery, suicide, homicide, and the ugly consequences of rumors in a sleepy New England town.

Peyton Place was released in 1957, one year after the highly popular book of the same title was published. The film centers around Constance McKenzie, played by Lana Turner, and her daughter Allison, played by Diane Varsi. Constance has been keeping a dark secret from her daughter for most of her life concerning the truth of who her father was. Although the McKenzies seem to have a perfect life, Allison and her mother bump heads constantly, and Allison is forced to find comfort in her close friends Norman Page and Selena Cross. But what Allison comes to learn from her friends is that they too are hiding dark secrets. Norman Page is a mama’s boy that has never gone against anything his mother has had to say, whereas Selena Cross has been molested and beaten by her stepfather for as long as she could remember. It isn’t until Selena becomes ill and visits her doctor that she finds out she is pregnant. When the doctor finally finds out about the incest he performs a secret abortion on Selena. After the procedure the doctor goes to Selena’s home and tells her stepfather he must leave Peyton Place, or he will turn him into the authorities. It seems as though things are slowly starting to get back on track for the town folks of Peyton Place, but soon a horrible rumor is started that literally tears the town apart.

Constance McKenzie is informed by a snoopy neighbor that her daughter was seen skinny dipping with Norman Page in the lake. Although the two kids that were seen were in fact not Allison and Norman, Constance chooses to believe the ridiculous rumor of her neighbor over her daughter. Allison is fed up and decides she can no longer live in her mothers house, and takes off to live in New York City where she cuts off all contact with her. It isn’t until Allison gets word that Selena Cross is going on trial for the murder of her stepfather that Allison returns. Apparently Selena’s stepfather had returned to Peyton Place to handle unfinished business, but in a blind rage Selena murders him. Well the ending of the film is pretty climactic, but you will just have to rent it. What is the joy of telling you how it ends, you will thank me in the end.