Leslie Harrington
Encyclopedia
Leslie Harrington is a fictional character in the novel and movie Peyton Place
as well as the television series of the same name. In the movie, Leslie was played by actor Leon Ames
. Paul Langton
played the role in the television series.
Leslie is the richest man in the community of Peyton Place, New Hampshire
. He is the owner of the Cumberland Mills (in the movie, it was called the Harrington Woolen Mills), the community's textile plant and main employer in town. He is a widower, and has a son named Rodney
.
He had courted Elizabeth, even though she had been engaged to Seth Buswell, who later became the editor of the town's newspaper. Elizabeth died while giving birth to Rodney. He and his son had a fine relationship, and he raised him as a single father. When Rodney was accused by amoral Betty Anderson
of getting her pregnant, he tried to buy her off with a sum of $250. He was also assessed a sum of $2,500 when Kathy Ellsworth lost her left arm while she fell over into the mechanics of a fun house at a carnival he owned.
Leslie has a compulsive need to win at absolutely everything. He allowed Rodney to run wild, which did not meet with Peyton Place's approval. Everyone else thought that Rodney was always getting away with too much; but mostly they didn't question him. Mainly because, Leslie was the chairman of the board of trustees of the Citizens National Bank, the main bank in Peyton Place, and could and would yank mortgages from people who displeased him. He was also the head of the Peyton Place School Board; and he was the one who brought Michael Rossi
into town to become the headmaster.
Everyone tolerates Leslie, although the town hopes dearly that he would receive his comeuppance. He eventually does, in more ways than one, when Rodney dies in a car crash. That tragedy knocks the fire out of Peyton Place's leading citizen.
He later on realized that Betty had given birth to his grandson, Roddy. He grew to love Roddy and he spoiled him as unabashedly as he had spoiled his father. Although he had lost a lot of his power; he was still unquestionably, the wealthiest and most powerful citizen of Peyton Place. Leslie Harrington lived in the biggest house, drove the biggest car and had the biggest bank account.
In the TV series, Leslie Harrington was portrayed by Paul Langton
. He ran Peyton Mill but it was his wife Catherine Peyton Harrington
who was the actual owner. When Catherine died, Leslie took it for granted the ownership of the mill would be transferred to him, but before her death she had suspected Leslie of infidelity and amended her will returning ownership and all stocks to her father Martin Peyton. (He had in fact been having an affair with his secretary, Julie Anderson.) Harrington decides to fight the amendment because due to her illness Catherine was not of sound mind. A date is set for a court hearing but the day before going to court Harrington is advised by his lawyer to drop the proceedings, as he cannot possibly win.
Peyton Place (novel)
Peyton Place is a 1956 novel by Grace Metalious. It sold 60,000 copies within the first ten days of its release and remained on the New York Times best seller list for 59 weeks. It was adapted as both a 1957 film and a 1964–69 television series....
as well as the television series of the same name. In the movie, Leslie was played by actor Leon Ames
Leon Ames (actor)
Leon Ames was an American film and television actor. He is best remembered for playing fatherly figures in such films as Meet Me in St. Louis , as Judy Garland's father, and in Little Women ....
. Paul Langton
Paul Langton
Paul Langton was an American actor.He had many film roles during the 1940s and 1950s in which he played supporting parts, but achieved his greatest popular success as Leslie Harrington on Peyton Place.He died two days before his 67th birthday.-External links:...
played the role in the television series.
Leslie is the richest man in the community of Peyton Place, New Hampshire
New Hampshire
New Hampshire is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state was named after the southern English county of Hampshire. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Canadian...
. He is the owner of the Cumberland Mills (in the movie, it was called the Harrington Woolen Mills), the community's textile plant and main employer in town. He is a widower, and has a son named Rodney
Rodney Harrington
Rod Harrington is a fictional character on the television drama Peyton Place. He was portrayed by Ryan O'Neal. He was also a character on the 1957 film adaptation of the original novel. In this version, he was portrayed by Barry Coe.-Film version:...
.
He had courted Elizabeth, even though she had been engaged to Seth Buswell, who later became the editor of the town's newspaper. Elizabeth died while giving birth to Rodney. He and his son had a fine relationship, and he raised him as a single father. When Rodney was accused by amoral Betty Anderson
Betty Anderson
Betty Anderson is a fictional character in the novel Peyton Place, written by Grace Metalious, as well as the subsequent films and TV series based on the novel. In the film, she was played by actress Terry Moore; and in the TV series, she was portrayed by actress Barbara Parkins; in the short-lived...
of getting her pregnant, he tried to buy her off with a sum of $250. He was also assessed a sum of $2,500 when Kathy Ellsworth lost her left arm while she fell over into the mechanics of a fun house at a carnival he owned.
Leslie has a compulsive need to win at absolutely everything. He allowed Rodney to run wild, which did not meet with Peyton Place's approval. Everyone else thought that Rodney was always getting away with too much; but mostly they didn't question him. Mainly because, Leslie was the chairman of the board of trustees of the Citizens National Bank, the main bank in Peyton Place, and could and would yank mortgages from people who displeased him. He was also the head of the Peyton Place School Board; and he was the one who brought Michael Rossi
Michael Rossi
Michael Rossi, is a fictional book character from Peyton Place by Grace Metalious. Set in a small New England town whose peaceful facade hides love and passion, scandal and hypocrisy...
into town to become the headmaster.
Everyone tolerates Leslie, although the town hopes dearly that he would receive his comeuppance. He eventually does, in more ways than one, when Rodney dies in a car crash. That tragedy knocks the fire out of Peyton Place's leading citizen.
He later on realized that Betty had given birth to his grandson, Roddy. He grew to love Roddy and he spoiled him as unabashedly as he had spoiled his father. Although he had lost a lot of his power; he was still unquestionably, the wealthiest and most powerful citizen of Peyton Place. Leslie Harrington lived in the biggest house, drove the biggest car and had the biggest bank account.
In the TV series, Leslie Harrington was portrayed by Paul Langton
Paul Langton
Paul Langton was an American actor.He had many film roles during the 1940s and 1950s in which he played supporting parts, but achieved his greatest popular success as Leslie Harrington on Peyton Place.He died two days before his 67th birthday.-External links:...
. He ran Peyton Mill but it was his wife Catherine Peyton Harrington
Catherine Harrington
Catherine Marie Peyton Harrington is a fictional character on the television drama Peyton Place. She was portrayed by Mary Anderson. She appeared in 12 episodes in 1964. She first appeared in the second episode...
who was the actual owner. When Catherine died, Leslie took it for granted the ownership of the mill would be transferred to him, but before her death she had suspected Leslie of infidelity and amended her will returning ownership and all stocks to her father Martin Peyton. (He had in fact been having an affair with his secretary, Julie Anderson.) Harrington decides to fight the amendment because due to her illness Catherine was not of sound mind. A date is set for a court hearing but the day before going to court Harrington is advised by his lawyer to drop the proceedings, as he cannot possibly win.