PEYTON PLACE
First COLOR episode
First B & W episode
Episode 514.
06-02-69
FINALE:
Written by Del Reisman.
Directed by Everett Chambers
Produced by Paul Monash.
Series adapted for television by Paul Monash
Introductory Credits:
Starring:
Ed Nelson Dr. Michael Rossi
Barbara Parkins Betty Anderson
Christopher Connelly Norman Harrington
Patricia Morrow Rita Harrington
James Douglas Steven Cord
Elizabeth "Tippy" Walker Carolyn Russell
Percy Rodriguez Dr. Harry Miles
And also Starring:
Barbara Rush Marsha Russell
MEL: Ryan O'Neal was not credited in the last several episodes.
Rodney Harrington had moved to a college apartment in Boston.
His last episode was 501. Ryan O'Neal plays Rodney
Scavo in episode 13 of "Desperate Housewives," the father of
Tom Scavo, and the father-in-law of Lynette Scavo. And the
grandfather of Peter, Porter, Preston, and Penny Scavo.
Elizabeth Walker assumed the name "Tippy" in honor of "Tippi
Hedron".
WA: Mr. and Mrs. Norman Harrington saw Dr. Michael Rossi less than
an hour ago, and promised him that when they took the stand as
witnesses in his preliminary hearing, they would speak the
truth, no matter how damaging it might be to Dr. Rossi. But
during the past hour, Norman and Rita have become increasingly
concerned. They feel that their statements from the stand will
help bind Dr. Rossi over for trial, on a charge of murder.
Intro: Rita and Norman are walking across the square to the courthouse.
They walk past a woman [actress Nikki Wilk] and her two children
[the real-life children of Everett Chambers], seemingly waiting
for another court. Spectators and witnesses entering the Rossi
courtroom.
Scene 1: In the preliminary hearing, Michael F. B. Rossi is charged with
first degree murder of Fredrick A. Russell. The witnesses are
sworn in, en masse. Police Sgt. William Wilson Walker gives
his name and address, 80 Collins Street. Steven Cord expertly
cross-examines Sgt. Walker. The judge [name never given]
examines Sgt. Walker. The judge is concerned about state of
mind. After he finishes his testimony, and is excused police
Sgt. Walker walks over, whispers to his potential son-in-law,
Lewis, and asks the young man to follow him out. Outside, Sgt.
Walker tells him that he has an arrest warrant for Lewis for
felony hit-and-run, in New York City. As soon as he is free,
he is to come to Sgt. Walker's desk at the police station.
Scene 2: Back in the courtroom, Marsha testifies, intersperced with
brief flashbacks of her ex-husband abusing her and when he was
in his hospital bed. She begins being vague and unresponsive.
She finally admits that Fred accused Rossi of what eventually
resulted in his death. Norman Harrington is called to the
stand. He testifies about the scene outside the hospital when
Rossi and Russell almost came to blows. The prosecutor,
Assistant District Attorney Jerry Carter, objects to one of
Steven's questions and is overruled. A brief flashback is
shown. Norman continues. Another brief flashback is shown.
Rita is called to testify. Rita reluctantly relates her
knowledge of the feud between Rossi and Russell. The Judge,
[played by Michael Strong, Dr. Roger Korby in Star Trek episode
"What Little Girls are made of"], recesses court until 1:45.
Scene 3: Still in the courtroom, Marsha and Rossi talk, and drink coffee
out of those classy paper cups, the expensive kind of paper
cups that have fold-out handles.
Scene 4: Ada Jacks is called to testify. She gives a description of an
encounter that Dr. Rossi and Fred Russell had at the Tavern.
Dr. Miles testifies. Michael Rossi, the defendant, testifies
in his own behalf.
Mr. Hagen, the proprietor of a small motel, "out near the
junction," testifies about Fred Russell and a woman purported
to be Mrs. Russell, checking in to his motel. [This was of an
era before the large motel chains]. He says the woman had a
ton of long blonde hair. [This would tend to infer to us that
it was Susan Winter who had a motive for killing Mr. Russell.]
The judge asks counsel to approach the bench. He then requests
the attorneys waive final arguments, and binds Dr. Rossi over
for trial. Eli Carson, whose son spent 18 years in prison,
unjustly convicted, goes over and pats Rossi on the back as a
gesture of support.
Dr. Rossi hugs Marsha Russell. Steven Cord tries to assure
Rossi that the indictment will be overturned. Marsha tells
Rossi that she loves him. Rossi is then led away to his cell
by the jailer. Leaning on the bench, Marsha cries, and her
daughter, Carolyn, comes over to comfort her.
Scene 5: Leaving the courtroom, Lewis Miles almost collides with a woman
and her two young children on their way to room 120, most
likely domestic court.
MEL: The two children were played by Darin and Alicia Chambers, the
real-life children of Director Everett Chambers. The mother
was played by Nikki Wilk, also the first day waitress at the
Colonial Post Inn in episode 502. The actor who played Freddy,
who was standing near Gus Chernak when Peyton visited the mill
in Episode 159, appears to be the same actor as the one who
played Mario, friend of Lee Webber. Webber greeted Mario after
charges were dropped in the preliminary hearing. Mario appears
in several scenes in the Tavern. Another instance, including
the Markham twins, of a person playing two separate and
distinct roles in this series.
Scene 6: Dr. Miles talks to his son, Lewis. The doctor tells Lewis that
he will let his son make his own decisions. Lewis has not yet
decided what he is going to do, but he says that he is not
running anymore.
Scene 7: Susan and Tom talk. Susan tells Tom that she is thinking of
going to see Dr. Rossi. Tom suggests that she should talk with
Steven. He places her hand in his. One of the few instances of
closure in this teledrama.
Scene 8: Dr. Rossi in his jail cell, pacing. Still in his dress suit, but
with neither his tie nor belt, Rossi lies down on his jail cot.
THE END
Closing credits:
Co-starring:
Evelyn Scott as Ada Jacks
Morris Buchanan as police Sgt. William Wilson Walker
William Sargent as Asst. D.A. Jerry Carter
Glynn Turman as Lew Miles
Robert Hogan as Rev. Tom Winter
George Dunn as Mr. Hagen, the motel proprietor
Co-starring:
Frank Ferguson as Eli Carson
John Findlater as Jeff Kramer
Joe Maross as Fred Russell [Fugitive, Coralee; 10,000 Pieces of
silver-Mel Bailey].
Nikki Wilk as Mother of two children [the second role for Nikki Wilk].
Darin Chambers as Child
Alicia Chambers as Child
Jacqueline Mayo as Duty Nurse
Guest Star:
Diana Hyland as Susan Winter [Fugitive, When the Bough Breaks-Laura
Pearson.
Set Fire to a Straw Man-Stella.
The Devil's Disciples-Penny.
Dossier on a Diplomat-Ell Priestly.]
And:
Michael Strong as judge [Fugitive, A Clean and Quiet Town-Ollie Enright].
Music:
Arthur Morton
Music Supervision:
Lionel Newman
Our special thanks to these fans and scholars
of Peyton Place who contributed in one way or
another to the preparation of this web site:
Matthew, the New Mexican
Craig, the Brit
Gary, the Canadian
Andy, the collector
Peter, the educator
Amanda, the Queen of Peyton Place, now a proud Texan
Sandra, the screen writer
Bob, the collector
Derek, the actor / now a programmer
Kemal, the diplomat
Suzanne, from Indiana via LA
Pascal, from France
R. Hightower,
Rita, the scribe,
Eric,
Stephen,
Linda S.,
George K.,
and others.
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