PEYTON PLACE Episode 183. 02-17-66 Dr. Rossi testifies in Rodney's murder trial. Stella is recalled to testify. WA: A promise to the dead is sometimes more binding than a committment to the living. Stella Chernak has bound herself to her father. She has sworn, under oath, that Rodney Harrington threatened to kill her brother. And now, Dr. Michael Rossi must unwillingly add substance to that lie. Intro: In a heavy overcoat, Norman walking bareheaded across the square to the courthouse. Stella. Rossi. Scene 1: In the courtroom, John Fowler asks Rossi what time he arrived at the Peyton house. Fowler turns the doctor over to the defense. Steven asks if it was chance that brought him to the Peyton house. Rossi says that he was Gus Chernak's doctor. Steven asks Rossi to describe Rodney. Rossi describes Rodney as a bright level-headed young man. Steven asks Rossi relationship to Stella Chernak. Rossi completes his testimony. Fowler asks to recall Stella Chernak to the stand. Steven objects and is overruled. Stella takes the stand. Fowler asks Stella to talk some more about Joe Chernak. Stella talks about Rossi's visit to the Chernak house. Stella and Rossi exchange dirty looks. Scene 2: Outside the courthouse, John Fowler and Stella help Anna into his car. She is wearing black and a black veil. The car is parked directly in front of the courthouse. John talks with Stella. She says she'll have to quit her job. Fowler urges Stella not to quit her job at the hospital. He says she is on the winning side. Scene 3: Inside the hospital, in Allison's room, Rossi is trying to help Allison to take some steps. She collapses. Russ Gehring is watching. Scene 4: In the corridor, Rossi talks with Russ Gehring. Russ says that Allison screamed, "He is not my father." Russ says that it is a hysterical paralysis. Rossi asks Russ what he is trying to prove. Scene 5: Russ Gehring places pay phone call to the District Attorney's office. He asks to talk with Mr. Fowler. Fowler isn't in. Russ Gehring leaves his name for Fowler to call. Scene 6: John Fowler talks with Steven Cord. Steven says he was surprised that the judge allowed Stella to be recalled. Fowler says, "It's a wise counselor who knows when to throw in the towel." John says he has a solid case. Steven says that John is bluffing. Steven tells John to go back to his office and book himself a ladies club luncheon. Scene 7: John comes out of the courthouse onto the square. He goes over and talks with his strange wife Marian. Elliot and Constance come out of the Clarion and notice that Marian Fowler has come home. Scene 8: In Rossi's office, Steven continues to ask questions about the trial and about Stella. Steven advises Rossi not to fire Stella. Rossi thinks he may not have the choice. She will probably quit. Rossi tells Steven that Stella is working on an important research project. Rossi decides to give Stella the day off. Scene 9: John, back in the courtroom, talks with his wife Marian. John says that Marian's relationship with Russ Gehring is in the past. He wants to forget it. She tells him about driving back on the beach road. She had broken off the relationship. It wasn't an affair. She said she wouldn't see him again, except in the hospital. [She was a physical therapy volunteer]. The sun was in her eyes. That is when she hit Allison. She knew she hit something but she thought it was a rock or a small animal. John says, "You didn't stop? Why didn't you come to me?" She says she has no excuse. He mentions her calling from California. He tells her that she will have to tell the police. Fowler says that the Harrington trial is far from over now. Fowler is trying to salvage his marriage. [Later in the series his political ambitions are emphasized]. Preview: Elliot talks with Constance. Steven talks to David Schuster about Kim testifying. Russ Gehring asks to talk to John Fowler. EC: I can't believe Fowler didn't know anything about it. And if he did, and I can prove it, I'll get him. SC: I need Kim on that stand again to get at the truth. DS: I'm going to hold you personally responsible for anything that happens to her. RG: I've got to talk with you. John Fowler slugs Russ Gehring with his left hand. Scene ends. Stella Chernak-Lee Grant, guest star. Judge Irwin A. Jessup-Curt Conway. Russ Gehring-David Canary. Marian Fowler-Joan Blackman. Anna Chernak-Anna Karen, maid to the Schusters. PREV HOME NEXT