From the respectable New England community of Peyton Place, shopkeeper Constance McKenzie tries to make up for a past indiscretion -- that led in her adulterous daughter Allison -- by adopting a prudish attitude towards things sensual. In spite of herself, Constance cannot help but be attracted to handsome new educator Michael Rossi. Meanwhile, the restless Allison, who would like to be footloose and fancy-free as the town's"fast girl" Betty Anderson, drops genuinely in love with mixed up mama's boy Norman webpage.