Grace Metalious deserved a happier and longer life. Sometimes, when you dare to expose the truth, there are hypocritical and self-righteous people who attack you claiming that they are protecting others when in fact they are only protecting themselves. Grace was brave and received a lot of attention and fame but she paid the price in the end. She was buried in her hometown but only after her family fought for that. "Return To Peyton Place" is reflective of her struggles after the first book.
Loved this Backstory, and Peyton Place is one of my favorite movies of all-time. Several years ago, I heard that Sandra Bullock was interested in bringing Grace Metallious's life to the big screen with herself in the lead... unfortunately, it never came to fruition; I hope that one day it still will. Today, Bullock DEFINITELY has the clout with her combined box office appeal and now Oscar recognition, to make it happen if she really wanted it to, I would think. It could very potentially be Oscar-caliber material for her if she'd pull it off properly (which I have no doubt that she could. She's been a nonstop critical force since The Blind Side).
I heard that Grace Metalious gave up the rights to Peyton Place which meant that when it became a Hit Movie and TV Series, she didn't get "Paid". She did inspire Jacqueline Sussann (Valley Of The Dolls), who inspired Jackie Collins (Chances).
She said in the same interview (parts of which were in the clip) that she was paid $125,000 for the rights. Because she signed away the rights, she had no say in the movie adaptation.
Great movie. Great star (Lana). Great documentary. Sad what happened to Grace Metalious. But she was wrong...PP IS remembered! Thank you for posting this.
BOTH instances in the story involve incest, A stepfather is enough of a father figure and member of the family to where it is BOTH rape AND incest in Selena's case. I don't know how far Normans mom went, as I've never read the book, but it sounds too sick for words to me
I grew up in Gilmanton NH and the surrounding small towns and still 60 + years there are people that refuse to talk about "that woman"..and let me tell you..these gossiping small towns, where everyone thinks they know your business? They haven't changed a bit! Gilmanton New Hampshire is also the birthplace of HH Holmes the country's first serial killer. and you'll find people that will show you the house he grew up in but won't show you where Grace's house was! I think it's disgraceful! I visit her grave quite often.
@@steveb1164 The real Selena Cross, Barbara Roberts, was convicted of manslaughter and spent a few years in prison; she later married and moved away. Not sure what happened to her after that.
I heard that Grace actually lived in a small subdivision of Gilmanton called Gilmanton Iron Works. Even though it's an unincorporated community, it has its own separate zip code (03837).
Good for you, VICTORIA V, for visiting Grace's grave and for keeping her memory alive! They really still refer to Grace as "that woman," all these years later? Can you imagine how much Grace must have been drinking to be dead of cirrhosis of the liver at age 39? I've heard that in some small towns, you don't dare even open a checking account, because then everybody ends up knowing your business!
That woman was nothing more than a drunk that wrote down delusions she had in her drunken stupor. She would continually lock the house to be undisturbed while "writing " but by the time her kids got home from school she would be passed out from drinking. Her kids would have to wait for there father got home to take care of them. In bad weather the kids would go to a neighbor 's house. Don't idolize that woman because she was never someone to look up to. She literally drank herself to death and that's not something that started after the book.
"You couldn't get an enema in a movie, in 1956" (13:30) True. But in PINKY/1949, with Jeanne Crain, as a light skinned black woman, is nursing an eccentric dowager (wonderful performance by Ethel Barrymore)..They are visited by a tedious gossipy relative, and they dread the woman coming into the upstairs bedroom, where Ethel is laid up. The amazing Miss Barrymore gets away with the line, .."Tell her I can't see her now, tell her you have to..give me an enema, or something.." Utterly delightful!!! I roared...
Personally, I saw PP in the late 90s as a teen. I don't mind the sanitization. I don't need to see graphic violence and explicit sexual images from a rape scene- that's traumatizing and triggering to millions. I purchased, read a few pages then tossed the novel. All in all, I appreciated the awareness of how gossip can destroy lives because talking doesn't help those in need. As a teen, Peyton Place helped me to find the voice to stand up for my friends who needed someone to be their voice for them when they lived in fear or mistreated. I appreciated that it opened my eyes to how teens even back in the 50s had emotional and psychological struggles and how much we all need true friends, stop judging others, and HONESTY.
I come from a small town in South Carolina, and I think peytons place was and is a true, gritty window into the real experience most ppl had. There are stories in my town of key parties and even rumors of a lost book with the dark secrets of the town.
Raine Pierre Whenever I watch these behind-the-scenes documentaries, I'm always reminded of just how many of the actors, directors, producers, and associated personnel are now gone.
I know. I watched the commentary of the movie on DVD and I'm so thankful that Russ Tamblyn and Terry Moore are still living and were able to contribute various stories concerning the filming of it. Thankfully, it's been done before, unfortunately, they're gone and there won't be anyone alive anymore personally associated with the movie left to talk about it.
One thing I've always wondered about: In the book, the "Mike Rossi" character is a Greek-American named Tomas Makris. You can see the name on one of the pages of the book that's shown. I've always wondered why the movie (and later the television series) changed it. Anybody out there know?
Grace Metalious: the single most influential author of all times, the creator of "Reality show/literature/everything." Way ahead of Shakespeare, as she influenced the entire world literature and art, pushing them towards showing the reality and trying to fix them. The sick habit of hiding incest, rape, murder, wicked behavior--by the family, clan, town and the nation to "keep up appearances"--the poisonous Victorian Mentality--was destroyed by Grace Metalious.
Did you know that the Court Stenographer was a Young Man named Phil Spector. He got his first big break as a Member of The Teddy Bears (To Know Him Is To Love Him), then became a successful Record Producer whose probably best known for helping to usher in The "Original" Girl Group Phenomenon.
I believe that Peyton place should be remade, but it should be unsanitized. It would sell better if it were so. I believe the remake should be directed by Wes Anderson.
I'm reading the book now, and it's about as trashy as expected. The characters are interesting, but the writing is average. My small hometown in the Northeast had its share of oddballs and hidden scandals. If something bad happened, it meant everything to keep it out of the local newspaper. There was no internet, so if the paper (and radio and TV) didn't cover it, all anybody had were rumors. Also, today it's the opposite: take an average book or an historical event, and Hollywood would insist on "sexing it up," or at least adding some romantic element.
Lana Turner was certainly not a great actress. I can't think why people keep saying that. Compare her to Bette Davis or Katherine Hepburn and tell me she has that kind or screen presence and emotional range.
Grace Metalious deserved a happier and longer life. Sometimes, when you dare to expose the truth, there are hypocritical and self-righteous people who attack you claiming that they are protecting others when in fact they are only protecting themselves. Grace was brave and received a lot of attention and fame but she paid the price in the end. She was buried in her hometown but only after her family fought for that. "Return To Peyton Place" is reflective of her struggles after the first book.
Loved this Backstory, and Peyton Place is one of my favorite movies of all-time. Several years ago, I heard that Sandra Bullock was interested in bringing Grace Metallious's life to the big screen with herself in the lead... unfortunately, it never came to fruition; I hope that one day it still will. Today, Bullock DEFINITELY has the clout with her combined box office appeal and now Oscar recognition, to make it happen if she really wanted it to, I would think. It could very potentially be Oscar-caliber material for her if she'd pull it off properly (which I have no doubt that she could. She's been a nonstop critical force since The Blind Side).
I heard that Grace Metalious gave up the rights to Peyton Place which meant that when it became a Hit Movie and TV Series, she didn't get "Paid". She did inspire Jacqueline Sussann (Valley Of The Dolls), who inspired Jackie Collins (Chances).
Love Animals i wish she had held out for a percentage of film rights; yet its a moot point as she wdnt be here long enough to enjoy it
She said in the same interview (parts of which were in the clip) that she was paid $125,000 for the rights. Because she signed away the rights, she had no say in the movie adaptation.
SANDRA CANT ACT, SHE WOUL D HAVE PLAYED THE MOM NO T MUCH DIFFERENT FROM THE BRADY BUNCH MOM
Maria Von Trapp also made the same mistake with The Sound Of Music.
Great movie. Great star (Lana). Great documentary. Sad what happened to Grace Metalious. But she was wrong...PP IS remembered! Thank you for posting this.
I wish AMC would bring this back
A fourteen year old being sexually assaulted by her stepfather is not "incest". it's rape.
if you knew anything about the book.. the "incest" occurred between Norman page and his mother...
+Stacey Kansier
What did I say that you find offensive?
BOTH instances in the story involve incest, A stepfather is enough of a father figure and member of the family to where it is BOTH rape AND incest in Selena's case. I don't know how far Normans mom went, as I've never read the book, but it sounds too sick for words to me
In the book, he was her father, not stepfather. It was changed for the movie, as incest was taboo.
Ugh. terrible
I grew up in Gilmanton NH and the surrounding small towns and still 60 + years there are people that refuse to talk about "that woman"..and let me tell you..these gossiping small towns, where everyone thinks they know your business? They haven't changed a bit! Gilmanton New Hampshire is also the birthplace of HH Holmes the country's first serial killer. and you'll find people that will show you the house he grew up in but won't show you where Grace's house was! I think it's disgraceful! I visit her grave quite often.
@@steveb1164 The real Selena Cross, Barbara Roberts, was convicted of manslaughter and spent a few years in prison; she later married and moved away. Not sure what happened to her after that.
I heard that Grace actually lived in a small subdivision of Gilmanton called Gilmanton Iron Works. Even though it's an unincorporated community, it has its own separate zip code (03837).
Good for you, VICTORIA V, for visiting Grace's grave and for keeping her memory alive! They really still refer to Grace as "that woman," all these years later? Can you imagine how much Grace must have been drinking to be dead of cirrhosis of the liver at age 39? I've heard that in some small towns, you don't dare even open a checking account, because then everybody ends up knowing your business!
VICTORIA V: DisGRACEful? Pun intended?
That woman was nothing more than a drunk that wrote down delusions she had in her drunken stupor. She would continually lock the house to be undisturbed while "writing " but by the time her kids got home from school she would be passed out from drinking. Her kids would have to wait for there father got home to take care of them. In bad weather the kids would go to a neighbor 's house. Don't idolize that woman because she was never someone to look up to. She literally drank herself to death and that's not something that started after the book.
I read it hidden in a school book in 7th grade 1956. lol I still stayed a virgin until 25, so it was educational.
"You couldn't get an enema in a movie, in 1956" (13:30) True. But in PINKY/1949, with Jeanne Crain, as a light skinned black woman, is nursing an eccentric dowager (wonderful performance by Ethel Barrymore)..They are visited by a tedious gossipy relative, and they dread the woman coming into the upstairs bedroom, where Ethel is laid up. The amazing Miss Barrymore gets away with the line, .."Tell her I can't see her now, tell her you have to..give me an enema, or something.." Utterly delightful!!! I roared...
I loved this movie!! Wish the book was reprinted or the movie remade!!! Amazing!
Movie does not need to be remade. It was perfect. If you haven't done so, watch the soap opera, all the episodes are on YT.
Personally, I saw PP in the late 90s as a teen. I don't mind the sanitization. I don't need to see graphic violence and explicit sexual images from a rape scene- that's traumatizing and triggering to millions. I purchased, read a few pages then tossed the novel. All in all, I appreciated the awareness of how gossip can destroy lives because talking doesn't help those in need. As a teen, Peyton Place helped me to find the voice to stand up for my friends who needed someone to be their voice for them when they lived in fear or mistreated. I appreciated that it opened my eyes to how teens even back in the 50s had emotional and psychological struggles and how much we all need true friends, stop judging others, and HONESTY.
Grace Metalious kept it 100% real in that interview lol
I come from a small town in South Carolina, and I think peytons place was and is a true, gritty window into the real experience most ppl had. There are stories in my town of key parties and even rumors of a lost book with the dark secrets of the town.
Three people that were interview are dead:
Connie Wald died in 2013
Hope Lange died in 2003
David Nelson died in 2011
Raine Pierre Whenever I watch these behind-the-scenes documentaries, I'm always reminded of just how many of the actors, directors, producers, and associated personnel are now gone.
I know. I watched the commentary of the movie on DVD and I'm so thankful that Russ Tamblyn and Terry Moore are still living and were able to contribute various stories concerning the filming of it. Thankfully, it's been done before, unfortunately, they're gone and there won't be anyone alive anymore personally associated with the movie left to talk about it.
May they all rest in peace
GM’s blow against the stungy holier-than-thou New England Puritans. Good for her.
I just read the book. thanks for this posting. it answers the questions I wanted to know.
One thing I've always wondered about: In the book, the "Mike Rossi" character is a Greek-American named Tomas Makris. You can see the name on one of the pages of the book that's shown. I've always wondered why the movie (and later the television series) changed it. Anybody out there know?
I believe thomas makris sued them for slander
Allan Sherman brought me here
Um dos dez melhores Filmes que assisti da Fábrica de Sonhos
Grace Metalious: the single most influential author of all times, the creator of "Reality show/literature/everything." Way ahead of Shakespeare, as she influenced the entire world literature and art, pushing them towards showing the reality and trying to fix them. The sick habit of hiding incest, rape, murder, wicked behavior--by the family, clan, town and the nation to "keep up appearances"--the poisonous Victorian Mentality--was destroyed by Grace Metalious.
Did you know that the Court Stenographer was a Young Man named Phil Spector. He got his first big break as a Member of The Teddy Bears (To Know Him Is To Love Him), then became a successful Record Producer whose probably best known for helping to usher in The "Original" Girl Group Phenomenon.
EVEN BIGGER SHOCKK DID YOU KNOW THE SKINNY DANCER IN GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDS IN THE JANE RUSSELL SCENE WAS ARRON SPELLING?
I believe that Peyton place should be remade, but it should be unsanitized. It would sell better if it were so. I believe the remake should be directed by Wes Anderson.
They said Grace could not handle the fame from the success of "Peyton Place"
She died at age 39, months before Peyton Place was adapted to television and became a success.
good movie I thought
So that’s Peyton place no wonder billy Joel mention it in we didn’t start the fire
I'm reading the book now, and it's about as trashy as expected. The characters are interesting, but the writing is average.
My small hometown in the Northeast had its share of oddballs and hidden scandals. If something bad happened, it meant everything to keep it out of the local newspaper. There was no internet, so if the paper (and radio and TV) didn't cover it, all anybody had were rumors.
Also, today it's the opposite: take an average book or an historical event, and Hollywood would insist on "sexing it up," or at least adding some romantic element.
How did she die?
Lana Turner was certainly not a great actress. I can't think why people keep saying that. Compare her to Bette Davis or Katherine Hepburn and tell me she has that kind or screen presence and emotional range.
She should have told them all to Eff off, and moved to California and live a great life!
Hypocrisy.
I remember you, Grace. thank you. great job!