This TV-movie sequel to the popular nighttime version of "Peyton Place" doesn't follow any version accurately, but it's clearly meant to continue the nighttime serial which ran from 1964-69, and ignore the more recently departed "Return to Peyton Place" 1972-74 daytime series. A quartet of original cast members are back in town - Dorothy Malone (as Constance MacKenzie Carson), Ed Nelson (as Michael "Mike" Rossi), Christopher Connelly (as Norman Harrington) and Tim O'Connor (as Elliot Carson). This is a haphazard, cheap affair, compared to any prior "Peyton Place" standard...
Dangling, lesser-watched story lines like Dr. Rossi's trial and engagement with Marsha Russell are understandably cast adrift. Martin Peyton's fortune is said to be sensibly divided between Rodney, Norman, Steven and Betty. But nobody, not even Steven Cord himself, remembers how he is a Peyton. Martin's grandson, Steven is referred to as a "cousin" by Joyce Jillson (as Jill Smith Rossi Harrington); her psychic powers are obviously on the fritz. Probably because Pat Morrow was unavailable, Ms. Jillson comes back as Norman's second wife, and she has big new "trailer park" family...
The story involves a former resident returning for revenge, and the car crash of two popular cast members. Unlike many in the supporting cast, the vengeful character was a part of the old series; she seemed at peace when she originally left town. The popular couple getting on the wrong side of a car accident are familiar. The young woman's disappearance was unsolved, while her companion recovered from his motorcycle accident, married Betty and left for Boston. The substitute cast and new faces are fine, but seek out the far superior, "Peyton Place: The Next Generation" (1985).
**** Murder in Peyton Place (10/3/77) Bruce Kessler ~ Ed Nelson, Stella Stevens, Christopher Connelly, Joyce Jillson
