These Three (1936)

User Rating:

7.9/10   

Director:

William Wyler

Writer:

Lillian Hellman (story)

Release Date:

18 March 1936 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Plot:

This first film version of "The Children's Hour" uses a heterosexual triangle rather than the play's lesbian theme...

Plot Keywords:

Student | Scandal | School | Love Triangle | Teacher

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar.

Cast

Miriam Hopkins	...	Martha Dobie
Merle Oberon	...	Karen Wright
Joel McCrea	...	Dr. Joseph "Joe" Cardin
Catherine Doucet	...	Mrs. Lily Mortar (as Catharine Doucet)
Alma Kruger	...	Mrs. Amelia Tilford
Bonita Granville	...	Mary Tilford
Marcia Mae Jones	...	Rosalie Wells
Carmencita Johnson	...	Evelyn
Mary Anne Durkin	...	Joyce Walton (as Mary Ann Durkin)
Margaret Hamilton	...	Agatha--Maid
Walter Brennan	...	Taxi Driver

Also Known As:

The Children's Hour (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

93 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | German | French | Latin

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Wide Range Noiseless Recording)

Certification:

Finland:K-16 | USA:Approved (PCA #2003) | USA:Passed (National Board of Review)

Filming Locations:

Franklin Canyon, Santa Monica Mountains, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Samuel Goldwyn Company, The

Trivia:

Because of the lesbian theme of the play, the Hays office refused to allow the original title to be used, nor any mention of it onscreen or in publicity materials. Hence, Lillian Hellman is credited only for original story and screenplay.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: Before Mrs. Tilford's maid slaps Mary (Bonita Granville) in one of the final scenes of the film, she grabs the girl and says, "Bonita, come here."

Quotes:

Dr. Joseph 'Joe' Cardin: When three people come to you with their lives spread out on a table for you to cut to pieces, then the only honest thing for you to do is to give them a chance to come out whole.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Rescued from the Closet (2001) (V)

Tribute to Wyler

For a film that opened in 1936, "These Three" manages to hold the attention seventy years later.

True, Lillian Helmann's heterosexual adaptation may seem a bit over-baked now; still, there are some compelling scenes which are touching.

Working with a top-notch cast and crew, Director William Wyler managed to coax some pretty heartfelt performances from his ensemble.

The whole thing looks like it may have been an extremely difficult shoot, especially for its principals. Word has it that Miriam Hopkins was very difficult to work with, and that Merle Oberon's normally meager talent was stretched beyond its capacity by the demanding director.

Yet, through probably endless retakes, the final result from the editing room is impressive. The child actors are quite good, without which the drama's effectiveness would have been considerably lessened. All the adult performers are strong, rendering commendable work.

Judging from the viewer's and critic's evaluation on IMDb, "These Three" is still very much appreciated.