The Children's Hour (1961)

User Rating:

7.6/10   

Director:

William Wyler

Writers:

Lillian Hellman (play)
Lillian Hellman (adaptation)

Release Date:

19 December 1961 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

One of Broadway's greatest hits...becomes powerful, adult screen drama!

Plot:

A troublemaking student at a girl's school accuses two teachers of being lesbians.

Plot Keywords:

School | Teacher | Lesbian | Girls' School | Homosexual

Awards:

Nominated for 5 Oscars. Another 2 wins & 5 nominations

Cast

Audrey Hepburn	...	Karen Wright
Shirley MacLaine	...	Martha Dobie
James Garner	...	Dr. Joe Cardin
Miriam Hopkins	...	Mrs. Lily Mortar
Fay Bainter	...	Mrs. Amelia Tilford
Karen Balkin	...	Mary Tilford
Veronica Cartwright	...	Rosalie Wells
Mimi Gibson	...	Evelyn
Debbie Moldow
Diane Mountford
William Mims	...	Mr. Burton
Sally Brophy	...	Rosalie's mother (as Sallie Brophy)
Hope Summers	...	Agatha (Tilford's maid)

Also Known As:

Infamous! (USA) (working title)
The Infamous (USA) (working title)
The Loudest Whisper (UK)

Runtime:

107 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

West Germany:12 (f) (re-rated) | West Germany:16 (f) (original rating) | Australia:MA | Canada:18A | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15 | UK:12 (video rating) (2004) | UK:X (original rating) | USA:Approved (certificate #20107)

Company:

Mirisch Corporation, The

Trivia:

Audrey Hepburn's final black and white film.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Mary is confronted by her grandmother, Mary's arm positions jump from outstretched, limp at her side, and clutching the staircase. She also moves up and down the staircase suddenly.

Quotes:

Mrs. Lily Mortar: God will punish you.
Martha: He's doing all right.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Rec: Uwasa no futari (#1.6)" (2006)

Powerful and dated yet strangely timeless

The Children's Hour is a powerful film dealing with the effects of lies and discrimination. Shirley MacLaine and Audrey Hepburn give terrific performances as 2 girl school teachers accused of being lesbians. Their lives are ruined by an obnoxious little girl who spreads lies. The film is dated in that society today wouldn't bat an eyelash over such a sitation (in fact their school today would probably set attendance records) but you can substitute any minority or ethnic group for the 2 lead characters and see how people can suffer at the hand of discrimination. The movie is based upon the Lillian Hellman play and recommended for movie buffs of all ages.