Return to Peyton Place is a 1961 American drama film in color by De Luxe and CinemaScope, produced by Jerry Wald, directed by José Ferrer, and starring Carol Lynley, Tuesday Weld, Jeff Chandler, Eleanor Parker, Mary Astor, and Robert Sterling. The screenplay by Ronald Alexander is based on the 1959 novel Return to Peyton Place by Grace Metalious. The film was distributed by 20th Century Fox and is a sequel to their earlier film Peyton Place (1957).
The film's storyline centers on the life and loves of bestselling author Allison MacKenzie. She has followed in the footsteps of her mother Constance by having an affair with a married man, her publisher Lewis Jackman (Chandler). She goes on to publish a tell-all novel that fictionalizes the scandal, homicide, suicide, incest, and moral hypocrisy that belies the tranquil façade of her hometown. She is quickly criticized by friends, family, and neighbors as a result.
Plot The film takes place some eight to ten years after the events of the original film.
Allison MacKenzie receives a phone call from publisher Lewis Jackman, who shows interest in publishing her book, promising to turn her into a household name whose books are exclusively bestsellers. Allison is ecstatic after hearing the news. Her best friend Selena Cross, however, continues to receive a lot of criticism from the townspeople for her "shameful" past.
Among these criticizing her is Mrs. Roberta Carter, an old-fashioned, domineering woman who is unhappy that her son Ted has a close bond with Selena. Later that day, Mrs. Carter is visited by her son, who is in town while visiting from Boston. He surprises her with the shocking news of his having impulsively married a former Italian fashion model, Raffaella. Mrs. Carter looks down on the foreigner and contacts Selena with the couple's news, with the hope that Selena will drive the couple apart. Selena sees through Mrs. Carter's scheme and refuses, angrily leaving and getting herself involved in a car accident. At the accident scene, young ski instructor Nils Larsen helps Selena, and although she initially treats him coldly, she feels attracted to him.
Meanwhile, Constance reluctantly allows her daughter to visit New York for a meeting with her publisher, Lewis. Allison is unhappy when she finds out that he wants to make changes to her book, but she finally agrees to cooperate. Constance calls the next morning and discovers that Allison and Lewis have been working together all night, so she immediately suspects the worst.
Back in Peyton Place, Raffaella threatens to ban Ted's mother from their life, if she continues to treat her horribly. Raffaella and Ted go skiing later that day, and Ted is surprised to see Selena with Nils. Selena finally agreed to date him after bumping into him several more times following the accident.
During the following weeks, Allison spends her time promoting her book, doing TV talk shows and radio show interviews. She is slowly turned into a celebrity, and she is continually with Lewis. She is angry after their time together to discover that he is married, but after she receives the first copy of her book, she kisses him. The book soon becomes a commercial success due to its scandalous contents.
In Peyton Place the book is heavily criticized by its townspeople. Constance is soon disappointed with Allison for allowing so many changes to be made during the book's editing process. Selena is disgusted by the way she is portrayed in the book. She loses her mind, as a result, and strikes Nils with a fireplace poker, having flashed back to her past trauma and confusing him with Luke, her abuser.
Meanwhile, Mike Rossi, principal of the local high school, husband of Constance and the only defender of Allison's book, risks being discharged by the head of the school board, Mrs. Carter, for refusing to remove Allison's book from the school library. At the Carter home, Ted confronts Raffaella about her quarrel with his mother. Realizing that Ted will never stand up to his mother, Raffaella reveals she is pregnant, before angrily leaving him. Determined, now, to terminate her pregnancy, she purposely causes a skiing accident to end it.
When Allison finds out Mike has been fired, she decides to face the wrath of Peyton Place's residents. They are still incensed by their barely disguised fictional counterparts and her book's revelations of the town's many secrets. She is immediately confronted by her mother for having sold her decency and self-respect for success and money. Despite the quarrel with her mother, Allison decides to support Mike, who has taken his case of being fired directly to Peyton Place's town hall.
Among the people defending Mike are Lewis, Nils, and Ted. Nils points out that the bigoted townspeople have now driven away Selena, who is nowhere to be found, revealing his hope to marry her if she ever returns to Peyton Place. Selena returns and blames the small-minded townspeople for making her feel ashamed, while thanking Allison for having written the truth about their hypocrisy. In the end Roberta is denounced and Mike is given back his job after Constance publicly points out that the older, bigoted townspeople have been manipulating the lives of their children for far too long.
Afterwards, Allison, having emotionally matured and become an adult, breaks off her affair with Lewis, explaining that she does not want to ruin his marriage. She decides to leave Peyton Place to start a new life elsewhere.
Cast Carol Lynley as Allison MacKenzie, a stubborn young writer who agrees to turn her book into a controversial, tell-all novel in order to become famous and successful. Jeff Chandler as Lewis Jackman, a married editor and publisher, who helps Allison become a celebrity, while they have a romantic affair. Eleanor Parker as Constance Rossi, Allison's overprotective mother and wife of Mike, who is upset about her daughter's novel. She changes her mind, however, and later defends her daughter. Mary Astor as Mrs. Roberta Carter, a snobbish, domineering woman who is reluctant to allow her son to lead his own life and is among the people boycotting Allison's novel. Robert Sterling as Mike Rossi, the high school principal and husband of Constance, and one of the few locals supporting Allison's novel. Luciana Paluzzi as Raffaella Carter, a former Italian fashion model and the current pregnant wife of Ted, who deals with the constant judgment and criticism of her mother-in-law. Brett Halsey as Theodore "Ted" Carter, the son of Roberta, who is afraid to stand up to his mother's dominant behavior. Gunnar Hellström as Nils Larsen, a ski instructor who constantly bumps into Selena, resulting in a romantic relationship. Tuesday Weld as Selena Cross, Allison's best friend, a former rape victim by her stepfather, who is still looked down upon by various judgemental townspeople because of her past.
Production Development The 1957 screen adaptation of Metalious' first novel had been a critical and commercial success, ranking second at the box office and garnering nine Academy Award nominations. Film rights to the sequel were sold to Fox for $500,000 before a word of the novel had been written. This amount also meant Fox owned the film rights to Metalious' second novel, The Tight White Collar.'Peyton Place' Sequel Nets $500,000 Chicago Daily Tribune 10 Oct 1958: d2. This was part of a long range plan: Buddy Adler, head of production at Fox, was paying authors in advance to write novels that he could turn into films.HOLLYWOOD PLAN: Authors Asked to Write Novels Based On Twentieth Century-Fox Ideas By THOMAS M. PRYOR HOLLYWOOD. New York Times 23 Nov 1958: X9.
Casting Fox wanted Diane Varsi to reprise her role of Allison MacKenzie. However, in March 1959, Varsi announced she was walking out on Hollywood, despite being only two years into a seven-year contract with the studio. "Acting is destructive to me", she said. "I don't see any reason to be made miserable just because other people say I should go on with my career".HECTIC EXIT: Diane Varsi Flies Away, Ends Career Ames, Walter. Los Angeles Times 20 Mar 1959: B1
In June 1959, Hedda Hopper announced that Margaret Leighton would play a woman who tries to kill her daughter-in-law. Producer Jerry Wald was hopeful that Varsi would play Allison but said Diane Baker was a possible back up. Lana Turner had already passed the role of Constance MacKenzie, which was then offered to Joan Crawford.TV's Carl Reiner Gets a Role in 'Gazebo' Hopper, Hedda. Chicago Daily Tribune 27 June 1959: s_a12.
In August 1959, Wald announced Varsi was not reprising her role, and that he was planning on replacing her with Anna Maria Alberghetti, with production slated to begin in November 1959."Borgnine Still Looks Ahead", Anderson Daily Bulletin, August 24, 1959, p. 12 By that time, producer Buddy Adler had already cast Robert Evans as Nils Larsen. Both Alberghetti and Evans were eventually replaced.
While shooting Hound-Dog Man in the fall of 1959, Wald met Carol Lynley. With no announcement of Baker's withdrawal, Wald announced in September 1959 that Lynley was set to star as Allison MacKenzie."Hedda Hopper's Hollywood" by Hedda Hopper, The Lima News, September 2, 1959, p. 9 Despite rumors that Varsi changed her mind and was signed on after all, Lynley eventually was cast. When Wald was later asked about a possible return of Varsi, he responded: "Ridiculous. She hasn't been back to Hollywood since she left here, and I doubt that she'll ever make another movie again"."'Ben Hur' Of Westerns Set With Cost Of $7,000,000" by Louella O. Parsons, Anderson Daily Bulletin, June 24, 1960, p. 9 Brett Halsey was revealed to be among the co-stars in the film."Tony Curtis Gets Top Role In Film Of 'Great Imposter'" by Louella O. Parsons, Anderson Daily Bulletin, September 8, 1959, p. 7 It is doubted if he was cast as Ted, the role he eventually played, because a February 1960 news article reported Dean Stockwell was cast in the role."Swamped With Offers" by Hedda Hopper, Rocky Mount Evening Telegram, February 11, 1960 p. 40 Later that month, it was reported he was in talks for playing the ski instructor.
In October 1959, Wald announced Hope Lange would return as Selena.Entertainment Films Stage Music: Remake of 'Heaven' to Star Hope Lange Los Angeles Times 16 Oct 1959: A7. By November she had pulled out.Looking at Hollywood: Yul's Roles: Ancient Greece to Gangster Hopper, Hedda. Chicago Daily Tribune 24 Nov 1959: b6.
In January 1960, Wald said Stephen Boyd would play Lewis.Stephen Boyd Will Star in 'Peyton': Joan Crawford Also Probable; Los Angeles Times 14 Jan 1960: C11. That month, Joan Crawford was set to play Roberta and he was hoping for Norma Shearer as Constance, with Carol Lynley as Crawford's daughter-in-law and Diane Baker as Allison.Looking at Hollywood: Cast Set for Second 'Peyton Place' Movie Hopper, Hedda. Chicago Daily Tribune 22 Jan 1960: a2.
In February 1960, it was reported that Trevor Howard would play a doctor who marries young bride "Stephanie", played by Suzy Parker."Hedda Hopper" by Hedda Hopper, Altoona Mirror, January 27, 1960, p. 28Howard to Star With Suzy Parker: Will Play Country Doctor; Latin Vacation for Claudette Hopper, Hedda. Los Angeles Times 10 Feb 1960: 24. By June, Parker's role had been cut from the script; Wald announced that none of the original cast were returning.Looking at Hollywood: 'Return to Peyton Place' to Feature New Cast Hopper, Hedda. Chicago Daily Tribune 30 June 1960: c12.
The production was stalled in early 1960 through the following summer because of a Hollywood writer's strike."Eddie Fisher Is Signed To Produce Two Movies A Year" by Louella O. Parsons, Anderson Daily Bulletin, June 2, 1960, p. 15 It allowed Wald in June 1960 to travel to the East in order to offer a role in the film to Mary Ure, a stage actress.Patrick and Stark Pool Properties: Mary Ure for 'Peytoni Place'; Lom Late 'Spartacus' Recruit