An excellent rendering of that steamy, sexy small-town novel that was a runaway bestseller for author Grace Metalious. Lana Turner is perfectly cast in this enthralling film, and she shows what a riveting screen presence she could be, given a passable script. What distinguishes this Peyton Place from other versions is that nothing is crassly overt, but you can feel the tension of people wound-up like coiled springs. To this end, passion tugs at the skirts of hick morality throughout. A real 1950s treat.

In the outwardly respectable New England community of Peyton Place, shopkeeper Constance McKenzie tries to make up for a past indiscretion -- which resulted in her illegitimate daughter Allison -- by adopting a chaste, prudish attitude towards all things sexual. In spite of herself, Constance can't help but be attracted to handsome new teacher Michael Rossi. Meanwhile, the restless Allison, who'd like to be as footloose and fancy-free as the town's "fast girl" Betty Anderson, falls sincerely in love with mixed-up mama's boy Norman Page.