PEYTON PLACE Episode 161. 12-28-65 Rodney's trial opens. WA: Fittingly, autumn has come with a sudden chill to Peyton Place. At 10:00 o'clock this morning, Rodney Harrington will be tried for the murder of Joe Chernak, brooding and silent in the dawn, different. Intro: Clock striking. Leslie leaves the Colonial Post Inn and walks past the police station up to the courthouse. A truck drives up to the Clarion. Scene 1: Leslie asks Jimmy, a paper delivery boy, "May I buy a paper from you?" Eli greets Ron, standing by a Clover Dairy truck. Eli offers to buy Leslie a cup of coffee. Leslie decllnes. Eli suggests that Leslie go talk with his son. They talk about Rodney and Elliot. Eli regrets that he never believed his son, Elliot, was innocent. Scene 2: In the apartment, the alarm clock rings. Rodney asks, What does it say?" It is 6:00 o'clock. Norman sits up. Rodney tries to sleep. Norman offers Rodney some cold pizza. He says it is four days old, but that it will last two weeks. Norman says it is 20 minutes to White River. And that he'll be back in 20 minutes. Norman goes down the steps barefooted. Rodney throws Norman's shoes down to him saying, "Don't you know it's illegal to drive barefooted." Norman picks up the Clarion which has the headline: HARRINGTON TRIAL TODAY Scene 3: The white phone rings and Steven answers it. He says to the man on the other end that it must be 3:00 am. He is talking to a detective Lawrence in California. Lawrence says that Stella has a "double A one credit rating, over 5 grand in the bank." The phone rings again. This time it is Martin Peyton. He orders Steven to bring Leslie over to the Peyton house. Steven says that he will try. Peyton ends the conversation by hanging up. [Dr. Gleason in the Foley Medical Center in Oakland.] Scene 4: Constance wakes up and calls for Elliot. She doesn't look too good of a morning before she puts her face on. Elliot selects a tie and puts it on. He does much better tying it than he did the day he was released from prison. Referring back to his own ordeal, Elliot says, "Starting today, another twelve strangers will determine Rodney's future." Scene 5: Miss Choate goes into Rossi's office and talks with Stella Chernak. Stella offers Choate some coffee. Stella has been working. Choate seems sympathetic to Stella about her losing her brother, Joe. She indicates that she is also sympathetic to Betty Anderson. Miss Choate tells Stella that she may be part of the action. She has received a jury summons for the jury panel. Stella says, "See you in court." Choate replies, "See you in court." Scene 6: Allison is hysterical, she is having a nachtmare. She screams at the nurse, "Don't shut the door." The nurse tells miss Choate. Choate tells the nurse to call Dr. Rossi. Rossi arrives to calm Allison. Scene 7: Steven and Leslie arrive at the mansion and go in to see Peyton. Martin asks Steven how he got Leslie there, by telling him that he was dying? Peyton offers a truce to Leslie. They talk about the proposed monument for Catherine. Peyton is concerned about public opinion. Peyton wants Leslie to stay away from the courtroom. Peyton offers a bargain. Leslie stays away from court and Peyton puts the monument on hold. Leslie says that he came back from Europe for the trial. Steven tries to arbitrate the monument question. Scene 8: Eli knocks on Rodney's door and offers Rodney a cup of coffee that he supposedly has made himself and put in a sack. Eli says Rodney deserves the best. Rodney says he doesn't need any more moral support. He is however grateful. Eli admits that he bought the coffee at the drug store. Eli says, "The essence of good coffee is a good woman who will get up at the crack of dawn and make it for you." Preview: In the courtroom, the jury panel is being questioned. Steven questions Charlie Devlin, who identifies himself as a boat builder. Martin Peyton talks to Dr. Rossi. SC: Mr. Devlin, do you mind telling me what criminal case did you serve on? CD: Elizabeth Carson murder case. MP: You came here a stranger. Will you die here a stranger? Will you always be a spectator? Instead of, what is the word doctor, "Committed?" Ralph, the bailiff-Gino De Agustino. Detective Lawrence-Bert Remsen. Charlie Devlin-uncredited. PREV HOME NEXT