ROCKPORT — 2016 marks the 60th anniversary of the publication of Grace Metalious' novel "Peyton Place." Steeped in controversy, this book set in New England was a best-selling novel. The movie adaptation — released the following year and nominated for nine Academy Awards — was shot extensively in the Midcoast area.

This two-evening class will be presented by writer, director and producer Willard Carroll and will cover the background to the novel, its impact on American popular culture, and the movies which ensued from it. Carroll wrote and directed Miramax's "Playing by Heart" with Sean Connery, Angelina Jolie, and Gena Rowlands and more recently wrote and directed the romantic musical comedy "Marigold" filmed entirely in India. He is currently in preproduction for his original psychological thriller "Crawl", which he plans to film in Midcoast Maine.

On Tuesday, April 5 there will be a screening of the 1957 20th Century Fox film "Peyton Place," with some introductory remarks and discussion. The second meeting on Tuesday, April 12 will feature a discussion of the considerable page-to-screen adaptation challenges presented by an "unfilmable" book and conclude with an overview of the 40-plus Maine locations used in the movie. Mr. Carroll recently researched and filmed the locations to be part of the Blu-ray edition being released this year.

Both evenings will be held at Camden Hills Regional High School in Rockport. The April 5 class will be from 6-9 p.m., the April 12 class will be from 6-8 p.m.

For more information or to sign up contact adult ed at fivetowns.maineadulted.org or 236-7800, ext. 5.