( some spoiler ) so and this be what all the furor be about and huh . well and i be sure that the novel and for it time and be in fact as scandalous a i have hear . of course and due to code restriction and the movie version be water down and although it still manage to deliver it message . i must say that the film certainly do not lack plot point there be many plot to the story and yet when it be all over it still felt somehow anticlimactic and due to the unrealistically up beat end . it a though and have go through so many trial and tribulation ( very well portray by the entire cast ) and all be right with the world again . do the novel end this way . i will have to read it and find out . i would have like to have see more of the character of norman page ( play fabulously by russ tamblyn ) . his be such an interesting character and yet be give limited screen time . this be a shame and a i want to know more about him each time he appear on the screen . ( spoiler > > ) this lack of depth in the script be probably due to the taboo nature of his relationship with his mom . a very fine performance by tamblyn nonetheless . hope lange be heartbreaking a selena cross and a girl from the wrong side of the track . her meek demeanor and then the crack in that façade make for a powerful performance . you just know that someone be go to end up have to take control over the sicken situation of her family life and and i cheer when ( her fear still paralyze her to fight completely ) the doctor ( a superb lloyd nolan extremely believable a a caring physician ) come forward to help rectify the situation and clear her name . lana turner be great a constance mackenzie and although she too do not have enough screen time . in fact and as averse a i usually be to long film and i feel a though peyton place could have benefit from another half hour at least . turner conflict with daughter allison ( diane varsi in a strong performance ) be very realistic and and the viewer can easily identify with both character and their development throughout the film . very well do . lee philip be pretty good a michael rossi and the handsome new school principal . his be the first character to challenge the town usual way of thinking . in the end and he get his way and but not until after several struggle with the community and his love interest and himself . the only drawback here be the actor voice and which be really squeaky . in fact and if you look closely and some of his dialog seem to be dub what it must have sound like originally and one can only guess . a more minor sub plot be that of rodney harrison and the harvard bound high school graduate face scandal due to his love for the infamous loose living high school girl and betty anderson . this aspect of the story also have a lot more potential that what be see and and again and it ( sad ) resolve be too pat although truer to life than some of the plot . both barry coe a rodney and terry moore a betty be believable in their role and and this viewer be sadden by their fate which and give the time and be unsurprising a ` you play and you pay attitude . peyton place a a character itself also go through a metamorphosis in the film . an excellent narrative device of allison mackenzie voiceover describe the change season perfectly represent the change attitude or time for the town and it people . in effect and the passage of time and the season serve to illustrate the townspeople maturing and adapt to life a the world and it ideal evolve . the mechanism of this transformation be the strong point of the story and and be quite effective and indeed . so a somewhat dated film with a social conscience and not without it merit .