Peyton Place: The Next Generation
Encyclopedia
Peyton Place: The Next Generation is a 1985 television film directed by Larry Elikann. The film is based on the TV series Peyton Place
, which aired from 1964 to 1969, and the plot is set twenty years after the original sage. The film contains many of the original cast members, and there were hopes of inspiring a TV series, but such a program was never made.
). She identifies herself as Megan MacKenzie (Marguerite Hickey
), Allison's long lost daughter who believes that she was conceived during a night when Allison was raped, severely beaten and left for dead in a ditch. Megan is immediately taken in by Constance and Elliot Carson (Tim O'Connor
), and she tells them that Allison has been in a Boston mental institution for twenty years now. She has not spoken a word since, until Megan gave her a visit recently, she said 'Peyton Place'.
Megan becomes involved with Dana Harrington (Bruce Greenwood
), the son of Betty Anderson (Barbara Parkins
) and late Rodney Harrington - who died in 1980. Much to Dana's dissatisfaction, Betty is now engaged to Dorian Blake (John Beck
), and they together live in the mansion that once belonged to Rodney's grandfather Martin Peyton, with Peyton's loyal housekeeper Hannah Cord (Ruth Warrick
), with whom Betty does not get along. Dana's connection with Megan affects his relationship with Kelly Carson (Deborah Goodrich), who lives with Constance and Elliot and is less than happy with Megan's arrival.
Some residents, including Norman (Christopher Connelly), Rita (Patricia Morrow
) and Ada (Evelyn Scott
) suspect that Rodney was Megan's father. Norman and Rita's son Joey (Tony Quinn) overhears this, and soon everyone knows. Believing that they are half brother and sister, Megan and Dana immediately end their relationship. Kelly is overjoyed when she finds out, but Dana wants nothing to do with her anymore, and they get into a quarrel, which leads to a car accident. Dana is arrested for speeding, and Dorian, fed up with his behavior, forces him to work in the mill, where Dana is bullied by the co-workers because of his background. Kelly realizes that she has no future with Dana and reluctantly elopes with Joey.
Meanwhile, Allison is relocated to the Peyton Hospital, where her parents try to have contact with her. One night, she is strangled to death by someone, and the next day she is found hanging. The police overrule her death as a suicide, but lawyer Steven Cord (James Douglas
) believes that she could never hang herself and suspects that she was murdered. He travels to the farm where she was found in a ditch 21 years earlier, and the owner (Lou Hancock) tells her that around the same time, a Boston University student was working for her. He disappeared shortly after the raping, and was never questioned by the police.
Steven believes that this man has raped Allison, and through Elliot's newspaper archive, he finds out that this man is Dorian. At the same time, Dorian harasses Megan. Scared, she calls to Dana for help, and afterwards goes outside, where Dorian runs over her with his car. Afterwards, Dorian returns home, where he finds out through the news that Megan is still alive, but in critical condition. He calls to the hospital for further details on Megan's condition, which confuses Betty, who tries to understand why her husband is so taken with the girl. When Dorian admits to having raped Allison, Betty tries to run away into the woods, but he catches her and almost pushes her off a cliff.
However, Steven arrives around the same time at the cliff, and after a struggle, Dorian is pushed off and falls to his death. Steven takes Betty back home, where she reveals that he is Dana's biological father. She explains that she kept this a secret to assure that Dana would inherit Peyton's estate. Steven is initially upset with Betty, but he later forgives her, and then bonds with his son. Dana next goes to the hospital, where he tells Megan that they are not related, after which they kiss.
was penning the script. Filerman revealed that Barbara Parkins
, Ed Nelson
, Ruth Warrick
and James Douglas
had already showed interest in reprising their role. Furthermore, Lana Turner
was approached in playing the same role that she played in the original 1957 film
, but the part eventually went to Dorothy Malone
, who portrayed Constance MacKenzie
in the soap opera. Malone was "overjoyed at the prospect of rejoining her old friends and stepping back into her past."
In December 1984, it was announced that production was set to begin in February 1985, with a cast including Parkins, Leslie Nielsen
, Nelson and Warrick. Whereas Parkins refused to appear in the show's precedent TV film Murder in Peyton Place
(1977), she "was quick to agree to the reunion show." She admitted that she did not like the first script, until several rewrites were made in December 1984. Furthermore, Nelson exclaimed that he was "thrilled" to return. His real life son was set to play his son in the film, but he did not appear in the definite film. Filming was set to commence in either Dallas or Vancouver
. Nielsen did not appear in the film. The crew aspired to inspire a TV series with this film, and therefore it was also promoted as a television pilot.
Filerman believed that they were "going to capture a big audience that fondly remembers the series and the excitement it created at the time." He also explained that there were too many actors in the original series to bring back in the film. As for Murder in Peyton Place, Mia Farrow
and Ryan O'Neal
were not approached to reprise their roles, because the crew thought that they would not be interested and that they "would've cost too much."
Actor Christopher Connelly, who had a large role in Murder in Peyton Place, only had little to do in this film, to which Connelly publicly has exclaimed his disappointment. Most of the attention went to 'the new generation', which included Deborah Goodrich, Bruce Greenwood
and Marguerite Hickey
. Parkins recalled that filming with her former colleagues was "strange", and said that it was "hard work in a strange atmosphere."
Other critics also explained that this show was only appealing for those who watched the show, and that the film is tame compared to shows such as Dallas
and Dynasty
.
Peyton Place (TV series)
Peyton Place is an American prime-time soap opera which aired on ABC in half-hour episodes from September 15, 1964 to June 2, 1969.Based upon the 1956 novel of the same name by Grace Metalious, the series was preceded by a 1957 film adaptation. A total of 514 episodes were broadcast, in...
, which aired from 1964 to 1969, and the plot is set twenty years after the original sage. The film contains many of the original cast members, and there were hopes of inspiring a TV series, but such a program was never made.
Plot
The film starts with a young, blonde woman, very much resembling Allison MacKenzie - who has disappeared years ago - arriving in town, and startling Allison's mother Constance (Dorothy MaloneDorothy Malone
Dorothy Malone is an American actress. Her film career began in 1943, and in her early years she played small roles, mainly in B-movies. After a decade in films, she began to acquire a more glamorous image, particularly after her performance in Written on the Wind , for which she won the Academy...
). She identifies herself as Megan MacKenzie (Marguerite Hickey
Marguerite Hickey
Marguerite Hickey is an American actress most notably recognized for her role as the second Flame Beaufort on NBC's soap opera Santa Barbara. She portrayed the role briefly in 1991. Prior to joining the show, Marguerite also had a short role as Sherri Masterson on NBC's drama Another...
), Allison's long lost daughter who believes that she was conceived during a night when Allison was raped, severely beaten and left for dead in a ditch. Megan is immediately taken in by Constance and Elliot Carson (Tim O'Connor
Tim O'Connor (actor)
Tim O'Connor is an American character actor known for his prolific work in television, although he has made only a few appearances since the early 1990s. Before moving to California, he lived on an island in the middle of Glen Wild Lake, near Bloomingdale, New Jersey.O'Connor specialized in...
), and she tells them that Allison has been in a Boston mental institution for twenty years now. She has not spoken a word since, until Megan gave her a visit recently, she said 'Peyton Place'.
Megan becomes involved with Dana Harrington (Bruce Greenwood
Bruce Greenwood
Bruce Greenwood is a Canadian actor and musician. He is generally known for his roles as U.S. presidents in Thirteen Days and National Treasure: Book of Secrets and for his role as Captain Christopher Pike in the 2009 Star Trek film...
), the son of Betty Anderson (Barbara Parkins
Barbara Parkins
Barbara Parkins is a Canadian television and film actress.-Early life and rise to stardom:Parkins was born in Vancouver, British Columbia. At the age of sixteen, she and her mother moved to Los Angeles, where she enrolled at Hollywood High School and began to study acting, tap, ballet, and...
) and late Rodney Harrington - who died in 1980. Much to Dana's dissatisfaction, Betty is now engaged to Dorian Blake (John Beck
John Beck (actor)
John Beck is an American actor. He grew up in Joliet, Illinois. Renowned as a gritty actor with plenty of presence on set, he is ultimately best-known worldwide for playing the role of Mark Graison in Dallas during the mid-1980s, but is also well-known for several other roles in which he...
), and they together live in the mansion that once belonged to Rodney's grandfather Martin Peyton, with Peyton's loyal housekeeper Hannah Cord (Ruth Warrick
Ruth Warrick
Ruth Elizabeth Warrick , DM, was an American singer, actress and political activist, best known for her role as Phoebe Tyler on All My Children, which she played regularly from 1970 until her death in 2005....
), with whom Betty does not get along. Dana's connection with Megan affects his relationship with Kelly Carson (Deborah Goodrich), who lives with Constance and Elliot and is less than happy with Megan's arrival.
Some residents, including Norman (Christopher Connelly), Rita (Patricia Morrow
Patricia Morrow
Patricia Morrow is a former actress, best known for her portrayal of waif-like Rita Jacks in the primetime soap opera Peyton Place from 1965 to 1969.-Acting career:...
) and Ada (Evelyn Scott
Evelyn Scott (actress)
Evelyn Scott was an American actress.Scott began her career as a disc jockey for KMPC. Her career as an actress started in 1952, guest starring in several shows, including Schlitz Playhouse, Gunsmoke, The Danny Thomas Show, Dragnet, Perry Mason, The Untouchables, and Bonanza...
) suspect that Rodney was Megan's father. Norman and Rita's son Joey (Tony Quinn) overhears this, and soon everyone knows. Believing that they are half brother and sister, Megan and Dana immediately end their relationship. Kelly is overjoyed when she finds out, but Dana wants nothing to do with her anymore, and they get into a quarrel, which leads to a car accident. Dana is arrested for speeding, and Dorian, fed up with his behavior, forces him to work in the mill, where Dana is bullied by the co-workers because of his background. Kelly realizes that she has no future with Dana and reluctantly elopes with Joey.
Meanwhile, Allison is relocated to the Peyton Hospital, where her parents try to have contact with her. One night, she is strangled to death by someone, and the next day she is found hanging. The police overrule her death as a suicide, but lawyer Steven Cord (James Douglas
James Douglas (actor)
James Douglas is an American actor probably best known for his role as Grant Colman on As the World Turns ....
) believes that she could never hang herself and suspects that she was murdered. He travels to the farm where she was found in a ditch 21 years earlier, and the owner (Lou Hancock) tells her that around the same time, a Boston University student was working for her. He disappeared shortly after the raping, and was never questioned by the police.
Steven believes that this man has raped Allison, and through Elliot's newspaper archive, he finds out that this man is Dorian. At the same time, Dorian harasses Megan. Scared, she calls to Dana for help, and afterwards goes outside, where Dorian runs over her with his car. Afterwards, Dorian returns home, where he finds out through the news that Megan is still alive, but in critical condition. He calls to the hospital for further details on Megan's condition, which confuses Betty, who tries to understand why her husband is so taken with the girl. When Dorian admits to having raped Allison, Betty tries to run away into the woods, but he catches her and almost pushes her off a cliff.
However, Steven arrives around the same time at the cliff, and after a struggle, Dorian is pushed off and falls to his death. Steven takes Betty back home, where she reveals that he is Dana's biological father. She explains that she kept this a secret to assure that Dana would inherit Peyton's estate. Steven is initially upset with Betty, but he later forgives her, and then bonds with his son. Dana next goes to the hospital, where he tells Megan that they are not related, after which they kiss.
Cast
- Christopher Connelly as Norman Harrington, Rita's husband and Joey's father.
- James DouglasJames Douglas (actor)James Douglas is an American actor probably best known for his role as Grant Colman on As the World Turns ....
as Steven Cord, a lawyer at law, who since breaking up with Betty, has become the town drunk. - Dorothy MaloneDorothy MaloneDorothy Malone is an American actress. Her film career began in 1943, and in her early years she played small roles, mainly in B-movies. After a decade in films, she began to acquire a more glamorous image, particularly after her performance in Written on the Wind , for which she won the Academy...
as Constance MacKenzieConstance MacKenzieConstance MacKenzie is a fictional character in the 1956 novel Peyton Place by Grace Metalious. In the subsequent film adaptation, she was played by Lana Turner; in the sequel Return to Peyton Place, by Eleanor Parker; in the primetime television series, by Dorothy Malone ; and in daytime soap...
, Elliot's wife who has long been searching for her missing daughter Allison. She now takes care of Kelly, and also offers Megan a home. - Patricia MorrowPatricia MorrowPatricia Morrow is a former actress, best known for her portrayal of waif-like Rita Jacks in the primetime soap opera Peyton Place from 1965 to 1969.-Acting career:...
as Rita Harrington, Norman's wife and Joey's father. - Ed NelsonEd NelsonEdwin Stafford Nelson is an American actor.Nelson has appeared in numerous television shows, more than fifty motion pictures, and hundreds of stage productions. Until 2005, he was teaching acting and screenwriting in his native New Orleans at two local universities there...
as Michael RossiMichael RossiMichael Rossi, is a fictional book character from Peyton Place by Grace Metalious. Set in a small New England town whose peaceful facade hides love and passion, scandal and hypocrisy...
, a doctor at the Peyton Hospital, who is keeping a secret that affects Dana. - Tim O'ConnorTim O'Connor (actor)Tim O'Connor is an American character actor known for his prolific work in television, although he has made only a few appearances since the early 1990s. Before moving to California, he lived on an island in the middle of Glen Wild Lake, near Bloomingdale, New Jersey.O'Connor specialized in...
as Elliot Carson, Constance's husband who works for the local newspaper. - Barbara ParkinsBarbara ParkinsBarbara Parkins is a Canadian television and film actress.-Early life and rise to stardom:Parkins was born in Vancouver, British Columbia. At the age of sixteen, she and her mother moved to Los Angeles, where she enrolled at Hollywood High School and began to study acting, tap, ballet, and...
as Betty AndersonBetty AndersonBetty Anderson is a fictional character in the novel Peyton Place, written by Grace Metalious, as well as the subsequent films and TV series based on the novel. In the film, she was played by actress Terry Moore; and in the TV series, she was portrayed by actress Barbara Parkins; in the short-lived...
, Dana's mother who has recently become engaged with Dorian. She carries a secret about Dana's father. - Evelyn ScottEvelyn Scott (actress)Evelyn Scott was an American actress.Scott began her career as a disc jockey for KMPC. Her career as an actress started in 1952, guest starring in several shows, including Schlitz Playhouse, Gunsmoke, The Danny Thomas Show, Dragnet, Perry Mason, The Untouchables, and Bonanza...
as Ada Jacks, Rita's mother and the owner of a local tavern. - Ruth WarrickRuth WarrickRuth Elizabeth Warrick , DM, was an American singer, actress and political activist, best known for her role as Phoebe Tyler on All My Children, which she played regularly from 1970 until her death in 2005....
as Hannah Cord, the housekeeper of the Peyton mansion and caretaker of Dana. - Deborah Goodrich as Kelly Carson, Dana's vicious and spoiled girlfriend. It is uncertain whether she is Constance and Elliot or Allison's daughter. She struggles with the burden of standing in Allison's shadow.
- Bruce GreenwoodBruce GreenwoodBruce Greenwood is a Canadian actor and musician. He is generally known for his roles as U.S. presidents in Thirteen Days and National Treasure: Book of Secrets and for his role as Captain Christopher Pike in the 2009 Star Trek film...
as Dana Harrington, Betty's rebellious son with a wealthy background. He has a relationship with Kelly, but falls in love with Megan. - Marguerite HickeyMarguerite HickeyMarguerite Hickey is an American actress most notably recognized for her role as the second Flame Beaufort on NBC's soap opera Santa Barbara. She portrayed the role briefly in 1991. Prior to joining the show, Marguerite also had a short role as Sherri Masterson on NBC's drama Another...
as Megan MacKenzie, Allison's 20-year-old daughter who becomes the love interest of Dana. Despite her tough childhood - growing up mostly in orphanages - she is described as sweet and caring. - Tony Quinn as Joey Harrington, Norman and Rita's teenage son who is in love with Kelly.
- John BeckJohn Beck (actor)John Beck is an American actor. He grew up in Joliet, Illinois. Renowned as a gritty actor with plenty of presence on set, he is ultimately best-known worldwide for playing the role of Mark Graison in Dallas during the mid-1980s, but is also well-known for several other roles in which he...
as Dorian Blake, Betty's strict and demandful fiance who does not get along with Dana.
Production
In June 1984, it was reported that executive producer Michael Filerman was in charge of the TV film Peyton Place: The Next Generation, and that writer Rita LakinRita Lakin
Rita Lakin is the creator of the Gladdy Gold mystery books. These include Getting Old Is Murder, Getting Old Is The Best Revenge, and Getting Old Is Criminal....
was penning the script. Filerman revealed that Barbara Parkins
Barbara Parkins
Barbara Parkins is a Canadian television and film actress.-Early life and rise to stardom:Parkins was born in Vancouver, British Columbia. At the age of sixteen, she and her mother moved to Los Angeles, where she enrolled at Hollywood High School and began to study acting, tap, ballet, and...
, Ed Nelson
Ed Nelson
Edwin Stafford Nelson is an American actor.Nelson has appeared in numerous television shows, more than fifty motion pictures, and hundreds of stage productions. Until 2005, he was teaching acting and screenwriting in his native New Orleans at two local universities there...
, Ruth Warrick
Ruth Warrick
Ruth Elizabeth Warrick , DM, was an American singer, actress and political activist, best known for her role as Phoebe Tyler on All My Children, which she played regularly from 1970 until her death in 2005....
and James Douglas
James Douglas (actor)
James Douglas is an American actor probably best known for his role as Grant Colman on As the World Turns ....
had already showed interest in reprising their role. Furthermore, Lana Turner
Lana Turner
Lana Turner was an American actress.Discovered and signed to a film contract by MGM at the age of sixteen, Turner first attracted attention in They Won't Forget . She played featured roles, often as the ingenue, in such films as Love Finds Andy Hardy...
was approached in playing the same role that she played in the original 1957 film
Peyton Place (film)
Peyton Place is a 1957 American drama film directed by Mark Robson. The screenplay by John Michael Hayes is based on the bestselling 1956 novel of the same name by Grace Metalious.-Plot:...
, but the part eventually went to Dorothy Malone
Dorothy Malone
Dorothy Malone is an American actress. Her film career began in 1943, and in her early years she played small roles, mainly in B-movies. After a decade in films, she began to acquire a more glamorous image, particularly after her performance in Written on the Wind , for which she won the Academy...
, who portrayed Constance MacKenzie
Constance MacKenzie
Constance MacKenzie is a fictional character in the 1956 novel Peyton Place by Grace Metalious. In the subsequent film adaptation, she was played by Lana Turner; in the sequel Return to Peyton Place, by Eleanor Parker; in the primetime television series, by Dorothy Malone ; and in daytime soap...
in the soap opera. Malone was "overjoyed at the prospect of rejoining her old friends and stepping back into her past."
In December 1984, it was announced that production was set to begin in February 1985, with a cast including Parkins, Leslie Nielsen
Leslie Nielsen
Leslie William Nielsen, OC was a Canadian and naturalized American actor and comedian. Nielsen appeared in more than one hundred films and 1,500 television programs over the span of his career, portraying more than 220 characters...
, Nelson and Warrick. Whereas Parkins refused to appear in the show's precedent TV film Murder in Peyton Place
Murder in Peyton Place
Murder in Peyton Place is a 1977 television film directed by Bruce Kessler. The film is based on the TV series Peyton Place, which aired from 1964 to 1969, and it was billed as a reunion movie as well as a NBC special...
(1977), she "was quick to agree to the reunion show." She admitted that she did not like the first script, until several rewrites were made in December 1984. Furthermore, Nelson exclaimed that he was "thrilled" to return. His real life son was set to play his son in the film, but he did not appear in the definite film. Filming was set to commence in either Dallas or Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
. Nielsen did not appear in the film. The crew aspired to inspire a TV series with this film, and therefore it was also promoted as a television pilot.
Filerman believed that they were "going to capture a big audience that fondly remembers the series and the excitement it created at the time." He also explained that there were too many actors in the original series to bring back in the film. As for Murder in Peyton Place, Mia Farrow
Mia Farrow
Mia Farrow is an American actress, singer, humanitarian, and fashion model.Farrow first gained wide acclaim for her role as Allison Mackenzie in the soap opera Peyton Place, and for her subsequent short-lived marriage to Frank Sinatra...
and Ryan O'Neal
Ryan O'Neal
Charles Patrick Ryan O'Neal , better known as Ryan O'Neal, is an American actor best known for his appearances in the ABC nighttime soap opera Peyton Place and for his roles in such films as Paper Moon , Stanley Kubrick's Barry Lyndon , A Bridge Too Far , and Love Story , for which he received...
were not approached to reprise their roles, because the crew thought that they would not be interested and that they "would've cost too much."
Actor Christopher Connelly, who had a large role in Murder in Peyton Place, only had little to do in this film, to which Connelly publicly has exclaimed his disappointment. Most of the attention went to 'the new generation', which included Deborah Goodrich, Bruce Greenwood
Bruce Greenwood
Bruce Greenwood is a Canadian actor and musician. He is generally known for his roles as U.S. presidents in Thirteen Days and National Treasure: Book of Secrets and for his role as Captain Christopher Pike in the 2009 Star Trek film...
and Marguerite Hickey
Marguerite Hickey
Marguerite Hickey is an American actress most notably recognized for her role as the second Flame Beaufort on NBC's soap opera Santa Barbara. She portrayed the role briefly in 1991. Prior to joining the show, Marguerite also had a short role as Sherri Masterson on NBC's drama Another...
. Parkins recalled that filming with her former colleagues was "strange", and said that it was "hard work in a strange atmosphere."
Reception
One reviewer wrote that "it all seems confusing at first, especially if you didn't see the original Peyton Place series. But by the time it's half over, you can easily predict how most of the dilemmas will be solved. [..] Despite nostalgia and raunchiness, this program doesn't work."Other critics also explained that this show was only appealing for those who watched the show, and that the film is tame compared to shows such as Dallas
Dallas (TV series)
Dallas is an American serial drama/prime time soap opera that revolves around the Ewings, a wealthy Texas family in the oil and cattle-ranching industries. Throughout the series, Larry Hagman stars as greedy, scheming oil baron J. R. Ewing...
and Dynasty
Dynasty (TV series)
Dynasty is an American prime time television soap opera that aired on ABC from January 12, 1981 to May 11, 1989. It was created by Richard & Esther Shapiro and produced by Aaron Spelling, and revolved around the Carringtons, a wealthy oil family living in Denver, Colorado...
.