8.8/1012 votesLoading...#1 - PP-20
Season 1 Episode 20 - Aired 11/24/1964
Returning to the Harrington home following dinner with Betty's parents, Rodney learns that his mother has been rushed to the hospital. Betty, who has just had an argument with Rod, presses him to go without her. She packs a bag and heads for the bus station, but is ultimately dissuaded from leaving town by Allison MacKenzie. Believing Catherine can't wait for Morton's arrival at the hospital, Rossi once again pressures Leslie for permission to operate. Leslie reluctantly agrees. Midway through surgery, Morton arrives and causes commotion in the operating room by insisting he take over. Despite Rossi's efforts, Catherine Harrington expires. Learning of his wife's death, Leslie admits he should have waited for Morton, who denies Rossi's request for an autopsy and vows to run the younger doctor out of town.
Director: Walter Doniger
Writer: Robert J. Shaw
- 8.4/1010 votesLoading...
#2 - PP-21
Season 1 Episode 21 - Aired 11/26/1964
Old Eli Carson suffers an angina attack in the town square and is attended to by Dr. Rossi, who instructs Laura to have Catherine Harrington's autopsy rescheduled. Chief of Staff Dr. Morton pulls rank and proceeds with the autopsy. Underage Norman Harrington is refused liquor at Ada's Tavern and proceeds to get into fisticuffs with some ""wharf rats"". Discovered by Rossi and the MacKenzie women, he accuses Rossi of allowing his mother to die. Allison comforts Norman and brings him to the Harrington home. Betty is unusually cordial towards Allison, thanking her for preventing her from leaving town and wondering if they could become friends. Driving Allison home, Rodney professes that his feelings toward her haven't changed; Allison later confesses the same emotions to her mother. When he returns home, Betty finally makes a full admission to an incredulous Rod regarding her deception about their baby.
Director: Ted Post
Writer: Robert J. Shaw
- 8.4/1011 votesLoading...
#3 - PP-25
Season 1 Episode 25 - Aired 12/10/1964
Failing to heed Kennerling's request, Leslie insists they get on with the reading of the will. As he predicted, Leslie is bequeathed all stocks in the Peyton Mill, while Dr. Morton receives 15% of any dividends accrued to be used for the hospital. Her sons, Rodney and Norman, equally share cash assets upon reaching their twenty-fifth birthday and Laura Brooks is given all of Catherine's clothing---minus jewelry and furs, of course. Laura declines Catherine's token gift. Leslie's victory, however, is short-lived: William Kennerling, Peyton's Boston attorney, arrives to inform Harrington of a codicil to the will wherein all stocks revert to Martin Peyton, in effect disinheriting Leslie! George Anderson suffers a minor crisis when he loses a client; and daughter Betty seeks her mother's advice about accepting Rodney's inheritance in exchange for ending their marriage. Although Constance and Dr. Rossi's relationship continues to blossom, she fears that Elliot Carson will return to town u
Director: Ted Post
Writer: Robert J. Shaw
- 8.3/1033 votesLoading...
#4 - Pilot
Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 9/15/1964
Dr. Michael Rossi arrives by train in the New England village of Peyton Place, Massachusetts. He is met by young Rodney Harrington, whose Aunt Laura was married to Dr. Donald Brooks, Peyton Place's recently deceased GP. Rodney and his girlfriend Betty Anderson drive Rossi to the inn. Later, Rod stops by the office of his father Leslie, who manages the Peyton Mill. Rod discovers his father locked in a passionate embrace with secretary Julie Anderson, Betty's mother. Leslie attempts to explain the situation, but Rodney leaves in silence. Leslie assures Julie he will make his son understand, but she's skeptical. Rod's unwillingness to comment on his sudden aloofness angers Betty. He takes her home then drives wildly into the night, almost hitting virginal Allison MacKenzie. Rod offers Allison a lift home. Her innocence touches him, and he impulsively kisses her. She withdraws, stating flatly that he can tell everyone she's frigid. Rod says she can tell everyone that he's dumb, prompting A
Director: Walter Doniger
Writer: Robert J. Shaw
- 8.3/108 votesLoading...
#5 - PP-18
Season 1 Episode 18 - Aired 11/17/1964
Eli Carson receives a special delivery letter and rushes to Dr. Rossi's office. He reveals that his son, who has been imprisoned for murdering his wife eighteen years ago, may soon be paroled. Elliot Carson has maintained his innocence all these years and is determined to prove it. Eli is concerned that Elliot may want to take possession of his old beach cottage which was recently rented to Rossi. Upon hearing of Elliot's imminent release, Constance confesses to Rossi that the photograph of Allison's father on the mantle is a fake; there never was a Mr. MacKenzie. Before going out of town, Dr. Morton pays a call to the Harrington home. While he doesn't reveal his knowledge to Catherine, he makes it obvious to Betty that he is aware of her deception. During his absence, Catherine takes a turn for the worse and Laura Brooks summons Dr. Rossi to the house.
Director: Ted Post
Writer: N/A
- 8.3/1012 votesLoading...
#6 - PP-19
Season 1 Episode 19 - Aired 11/19/1964
Newlyweds Rod and Betty dine at the Inn with her parents, unaware of the drama being enacted at the Harrington home. With Dr. Morton away in Boston, Rossi attends to the ailing Catherine (Peyton) Harrington. A ruptured ulcer is his initial diagnosis, but Rossi takes her to the hospital for further tests. Morton calls Rossi at the hospital and insists the junior doctor await his return---since Catherine is his patient. As Catherine's condition worsens, and without any other available doctors to confirm his diagnosis, Rossi feels he must operate immediately. Leslie Harrington wavers over granting consent, prefering to wait for Morton.
Director: Walter Doniger
Writer: N/A
- 8.3/109 votesLoading...
#7 - PP-23
Season 1 Episode 23 - Aired 12/3/1964
Desperate for his son's sham of a marriage to be ended, Leslie Harrington inquires into Betty's divorce ""price"", but she stubbornly clings to her desire to remain Rodney's wife. Harrington then pleads his case to the Andersons. Observing an interchange between his wife and her former lover, George reminds Julie that while Leslie might be free she is not. Dr. Morton informs Rossi that the review board has determined Catherine Harrington's surgery unnecessary and, accordingly, Rossi's hospital privileges have been suspended. Rossi determines to uncover the truth and clear his medical reputation. Confident his son will soon be paroled, Eli Carson reminds Rossi that he might have to vacate the beach cottage when Elliot is released. Matthew informs a worried Constance about Elliot Carson's probable prison release.
Director: Walter Doniger
Writer: N/A
- 8.3/1011 votesLoading...
#8 - PP-31
Season 1 Episode 31 - Aired 12/31/1964
Allison admits to Connie that she doesn't believe that Elliot Carson murdered his wife, prompting Connie to remark that Allison is becoming obsessed with Carson's case. Betty visits Julie at the Mackenzie home. Julie tells her that she intends to rent a room somewhere and let George have the house. Later, Betty encounters a drunken George who mistreats her with same anger he uses to humiliate Julie. Connie reveals to Rossi that Elliot Carson is Allison's biological father. Betty talks to Rodney about their marriage and realizes that there is no love between them. Allison spots Betty, suitcase in hand, boarding a bus. Betty begs Allison to keep quiet about seeing her leave, adding that no one really cares about her -not her parents or her husband. Allison watches sadly as Betty leaves Peyton Place.
Director: Walter Doniger
Writer: N/A
- 8.2/1020 votesLoading...
#9 - PP-2
Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 9/17/1964
Leslie Harrington and Julie Anderson's affair is having an effect on several others: Julie's daughter Betty has come to the realization that Rodney, Leslie's son, is avoiding her---and Leslie's wife, Catherine Peyton, suggests that Julie give up her job as Leslie's secretary now that her husband, George, has gainful employment. Mike Rossi has a flicker of recognition when he encounters Constance MacKenzie at her book shop, sending Connie into a panic. She confesses to Matthew Swain, family friend and editor of the local newspaper, that Rossi was an orderly at the NYC hospital where daughter Allison was born. Matthew advises her to be truthful with Rossi about her questionable pregnancy. Laura Harrington Brooks offers to assist Rossi with the management of his practice.
Director: Walter Doniger
Writer: Robert J. Shaw
- 8.2/1011 votesLoading...
#10 - PP-10
Season 1 Episode 10 - Aired 10/15/1964
Rossi intercepts Betty before she gets to Rodney and questions her intentions. Although she wants to be Rod's girl, Betty expresses reluctance in entrapping him. Later, Betty presses Leslie Harrington for the reason his son rejected her. Unwittingly, Leslie reveals that Betty's mother, Julie, was in the office with him when Rod came in on that fateful night. George Anderson speaks with Dr. Rossi about his medication. Rossi, more concerned with George's violence toward his wife, suggests psychiatric therapy. Leslie confesses his slip of tongue with Betty to Julie, who decides to resign from her position at the mill. Unhappy in his own marriage, Leslie is not yet ready to give up on Julie. Watching Rod and Allison dancing in the bandstand, Betty determines to make him aware of her pregnancy.
Director: Walter Doniger
Writer: Robert J. Shaw
- 8.2/1012 votesLoading...
#11 - PP-11
Season 1 Episode 11 - Aired 10/20/1964
Constance and Matthew are invited by Dr. Rossi to join himself and Laura Brooks at the Colonial Post Inn, where Laura can't help but make some jealous barbs toward Connie. Jealous George tells Julie he saw her with Leslie Harrington, prompting Julie to reveal that she has quit her job as Les' secretary. George further tells her that Dr. Rossi recommended him to a Boston psychiatrist. Allison doesn't like Rodney referring to her as a ""fair lady"" and wonders if he used the title on Betty. Later, George rescues Allison from some annoying motorcycle bikers and takes the opportunity to question her about Rodney. Prompted by Betty, Rod finally agrees to speak with her in private and they go off in his car for a drive. She reveals to him that she knows about the relationship between her mother and his father---and confesses her pregnancy. Stunned, Rod agrees to marry her but doesn't want to hear her admissions of love. In his agitated state, he drives directly in front of an oncoming tr
Director: Walter Doniger
Writer: Robert J. Shaw
- 8.2/1012 votesLoading...
#12 - PP-12
Season 1 Episode 12 - Aired 10/22/1964
Rodney and a badly hemorrhaging Betty are rushed to Doctor's Hospital, where Rossi attends to the patients. Rodney, uninjured in the accident, confesses to his father that Betty is pregnant with his child. Likewise, Julie Anderson apprises her husband of their daughter's predicament. George visits his daughter's bedside and tries to reassure her. Leslie Harrington insists that he will pay all hospital bills; George is concerned about the broken vows of love Rod made toward Betty. ""Uncle"" Matt Swain reports Rod and Betty's condition to Allison, who expresses little interest in the ravages of maturity and later commiserates with Norman, Rod's younger brother, as Founder's Festival winds down.
Director: Walter Doniger
Writer: N/A
- 8.2/108 votesLoading...
#13 - PP-26
Season 1 Episode 26 - Aired 12/15/1964
Matthew Swain journeys to the Massachusetts State Prison to visit inmate Elliot Carson (played by Tim O'Connor), who declares his innocence and the belief that his wife's murderer is still at large in Peyton Place. Disturbed when observing his daughter's husband in the company of young Allison MacKenzie, George takes out his frustration on his wife, who suggests he see Dr. Rossi. Rossi recommends psychiatric therapy. Rossi becomes suspicious of Dr. Bradley, who performed the autopsy on Catherine Peyton Harrington, and questions Laura Brooks about the former surgeon turned pathologist. Confronted by Rossi, Bradley claims he switched specialties because of rheumatoid arthritis and resents any implication of wrong-doing in the Harrington autopsy. Troubled by Rossi's interrogation, Bradley telephones Dr. Morton, disconnects the call, and then attempts to locate Laura Brooks.
Director: Ted Post
Writer: N/A
- 8.1/1013 votesLoading...
#14 - PP-13
Season 1 Episode 13 - Aired 10/27/1964
George Anderson has pipe dreams of quitting the Peyton mill and starting up an insurance company with wife Julie as his secretary. Rodney reassures Allison that, despite whatever happens, he meant every vow of love he made to her. Betty, having lost her baby as a result of the car accident, has a series of bedside visitors. First up is mother Julie, who insists that she must tell Rod of their loss. Then Leslie Harrington, unaware of the circumstances, offers Betty money to have the baby out of town and put it up for adoption. Finally, father George urges Betty not to tell Rod the truth and marry into the Harrington family. Rodney arrives, bearing flowers, and Betty is hard-pressed to tell him of their illegitimate child's demise.
Director: Ted Post
Writer: N/A
- 8.1/109 votesLoading...
#15 - PP-22
Season 1 Episode 22 - Aired 12/1/1964
Despite suffering a backlash of patient cancellations, Dr. Rossi remains convinced that Catherine Harrington's autopsy will confirm his diagnosis. Leslie Harrington appears somewhat suspicious when Dr. Morton urges him to be present at the ensuing inquest where, to Rossi's shock, the pathologist's report fails to back up his diagnosis. Rodney shares the news of Betty's deception with his father, who insists on an immediate divorce and later accuses Dr. Rossi of aiding and abetting the pregnancy lie. Betty goes off on a Boston shopping spree and returns to inform the Harringtons that she has seen a lawyer and there will be no forthcoming divorce. Allison wants to graduate from writing teen columns in the ""Clarion"" to something more adult.
Director: Ted Post
Writer: N/A
- 8.0/108 votesLoading...
#17 - PP-24
Season 1 Episode 24 - Aired 12/8/1964
With the encouragement of Constance and Matthew Swain, Rossi pursues vindication of the charges against him. His suspicions are further aroused when Dr. Bradley informs him tissue samples from Catherine Harrington have been destroyed and therefor unavailable for further inspection. As the Harrington family gathers for the reading of Catherine's will, Leslie is confident his deceased wife left him in control of the Peyton mill. As local attorney Theodore Dowell begins reading of the last will and testament of Catherine Harrington a telephone call arrives from Boston attorney William Kennerling who, unknown to the others, holds a codicil to the will. He requests they postpone the reading until his arrival.
Director: Walter Doniger
Writer: N/A
- 8.0/109 votesLoading...
#18 - PP-28
Season 1 Episode 28 - Aired 12/22/1964
Rossi is summoned to the Anderson home and quickly sums up the domestic situation. George is taken to Doctor's Hospital where, when ordering x-rays for his patient, Rossi is reminded that his privileges are suspended. Dr. Morton arrives at the hospital to loudly reiterate the fact. At Rossi's suggestion, Julie goes to stay at the MacKenzie home. Betty pays a call on her mother, seemingly holding Julie responsible for the problems in the Anderson marriage. Recalling the kiss Rodney witnessed between Julie and his father, Betty wonders how many other times the two were intimate. Rossi barges in on Dr. Joe Bradley, who becomes visibly nervous when confronted with the inconsistencies in his last surgery five years before. Shaken, Bradley seeks out Morton and reveals that he lied about the Harrington autopsy out of a sense of obligation to Morton for having saved his career after the Swain surgery. Morton sends Bradley into ""hiding"".
Director: Walter Doniger
Writer: Robert J. Shaw
- 8.0/108 votesLoading...
#19 - PP-29
Season 1 Episode 29 - Aired 12/24/1964
Norman overhears Leslie urging Dr. Morton to proclaim Catherine incompetent when she ordered the codicil to her will, but Dr. Morton declines Leslie's request. Laura visits Rossi at his cottage and insists she will arrange his reinstatement of all hospital privileges. Rossi warns her to stop manipulating his life. Eli reveals to a distressed Connie that Elliot's parole hearing is tomorrow. Connie appears visibly shaken at the thought that Elliot might return to Peyton Place. Dr. Morton shows Rossi Dr. Bradley's signed statement clearing Rossi of malpractice in Catherine Peyton's death. Dr. Morton admits that Rossi is a fine doctor, and he intends to make a public apology.
Director: Ted Post
Writer: N/A
- 8.0/109 votesLoading...
#20 - PP-30
Season 1 Episode 30 - Aired 12/29/1964
Rossi tells George that Julie is temporarily staying with Connie Mackenzie, while Julie reveals to Leslie that she is leaving George. Leslie offers Julie her old job back at the mill, but she refuses, stating that it won't solve anything. Later, George informs Julie that he will not give her a divorce. Allison asks Connie about the town in Scotland where her ""father"" was born. Connie wants Allison to attend college away from Peyton Place, but Allison reminds her that it's too late to enroll anywhere else for the winter semester. Eli meets Elliot at the state prison as the parole hearing begins.
Director: Ted Post
Writer: N/A
- 7.9/1011 votesLoading...
#21 - PP-9
Season 1 Episode 9 - Aired 10/13/1964
Catherine Peyton Harrington takes ill at Sunday brunch and retires to her room, where she is attended to by Dr. Morton. Norman, Catherine's favored son, sits with her. At her mother's insistence, Betty telephones Rodney at the Peyton mansion. He doesn't wish to speak with her. Matthew Swain, grand marshal of Founder's Day, fires the cannon to commence festivities. Constance has a flare of envy when she observes Laura putting an affectionate arm around Rossi; and George Anderson appears livid when Leslie Harrington, atop a float in the parade, waves to Julie. Betty spies Rodney with Allison in the crowd and advances upon them.
Director: Ted Post
Writer: N/A
- 7.9/1011 votesLoading...
#22 - PP-16
Season 1 Episode 16 - Aired 11/10/1964
Betty attempts niceties with her new mother-in-law, but Catherine is perfectly cold toward her. Norman uses his mother's illness as an excuse for her rude behavior. Betty pays a call on Dr. Rossi, who urges her to tell Rod the truth about the baby while, later, her father reassures her on her course of action. Having already made plans with Constance, Rossi declines a country club date with Laura Brooks, who observes them driving away. Constance is visibly upset when Rossi takes her to the old Carson cottage, which he has rented from Eli Carson, a bronchitis patient. Constance reveals that a woman was murdered in the cottage around the time of the war.
Director: Walter Doniger
Writer: Robert J. Shaw
- 7.9/1010 votesLoading...
#23 - PP-27
Season 1 Episode 27 - Aired 12/17/1964
Laura accepts a luncheon date with Dr. Joe Bradley. Laura's deceased husband, Donald Brooks, and Dr. Bob Morton assisted Bradley in his final surgery some five years ago. Her curiosity aroused by Bradley's inquiries regarding anything Donald may have told her about the surgery on Matthew Swain, Laura relays the conversation to Rossi. Rossi immediately questions Matthew, who reports that Morton attended to him after Bradley suffered some sort of illness. Excited that his son may be home for the holidays, Eli shares the news with Constance---who is guardedly enthusiastic. Losing another client sets George Anderson on a drinking binge, prompting Julie to go to the Mill to persuade Leslie to reinstate her husband. When she returns home George, who had followed his wife to the Mill, physically attacks Julie. In the act of defending herself, Julie knocks George unconscious.
Director: Walter Doniger
Writer: N/A
- 7.6/1018 votesLoading...
#25 - PP-6
Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 10/1/1964
With Allison out of the house on a date with Rodney, Matthew Swain urges Constance to tell Allison the truth about her father so they both can get on with their lives. Dr. Rossi has dinner with Laura Brooks, widow of the doctor he has replaced at Doctor's Hospital and Leslie Harrington's sister. At the local teen spot, the Shoreline, Betty makes a spectacle of herself in order to get Rodney's attention. Norman, Rod's younger brother, keeps Allison company in the Shoreline while Rod is outside with a persistent Betty, who insists she must talk with him.
Director: Walter Doniger
Writer: Robert J. Shaw
The Best Episodes of Peyton Place
Every episode of Peyton Place ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Peyton Place!
Like the novel and film of the same name, this nighttime soap opera is set in the small New England town of Peyton Place, whose...
Genres:DramaSoapMystery
Network:ABC
Best Episodes Summary
"PP-20" is the best rated episode of "Peyton Place". It scored 8.8/10 based on 12 votes. Directed by Walter Doniger and written by Robert J. Shaw, it aired on 11/24/1964. This episode scored 0.4 points higher than the second highest rated, "PP-21".