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The Children's Hour (1961) More at IMDbPro »

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Overview

User Rating:
7.6/10   3,896 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
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Director:
Writers:
Lillian Hellman (play)
Lillian Hellman (adaptation)
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Contact:
View company contact information for The Children's Hour on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
19 December 1961 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
One of Broadway's greatest hits...becomes powerful, adult screen drama! more
Plot:
A troublemaking student at a girl's school accuses two teachers of being lesbians. full summary | full synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for 5 Oscars. Another 2 wins & 5 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(6 articles)
User Comments:

Cast

  (Complete credited cast)
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Additional Details

Also Known As:
Infamous! (USA) (working title)
The Infamous (USA) (working title)
The Loudest Whisper (UK)
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Runtime:
107 min
Country:
Language:
Aspect Ratio:
1.66 : 1 more
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)

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
William Wyler cut several scenes hinting at Martha's homosexuality for fear of not receiving the seal of approval from the Motion Picture Production Code. At the time, any story about homosexuality was forbidden by the production code. more
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. more
Quotes:
Martha: There's always been something wrong. Always, just as long as I can remember. But I never knew what it was until all this happened.
Karen: Stop it Martha! Stop this crazy talk!
Martha: You're afraid of hearing it, but I'm more afraid that you.
Karen: I won't listen to you!
Martha: No! You've got to know. I've got to tell you. I can't keep it to myself any longer. I'm guilty!
Karen: You're guilty of nothing!
Martha: I've been telling myself that since the night I heard the child say it. I lie in bed night after night praying that it isn't true. But I know about it now. It's there. I don't know how, I don't know why. But I did love you! I do love you! I resented your plans to marry. Maybe because I wanted you. Maybe I've wanted you all these years. I couldn't call it by name before, but maybe it's been there since I first knew you.
Karen: But it's not the truth, not a word of it is true! We've never thought of each other that way.
Martha: No, of course you didn't. But who's to say I didn't. I'd never felt that way about anybody before you. I've never loved a man. I never knew why before, maybe it's that.
Karen: You're tired and worn out.
[...]
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Movie Connections:
Referenced in "Rec: Uwasa no futari (#1.6)" (2006) more

FAQ

Are the two teachers really lovers?
Is this movie about lesbianism?
Where does the title come from?
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19 out of 29 people found the following comment useful.
WOW, 6 February 2000
8/10
Author: RichDLee

Audrey Hepburn, Shirley Mclaine, James Garner... WOW! What else can I say!!! Typically it seems to me that Audrey carries the film... in this one, it is really hard to say who has the best performance. I saw this film due only in part to Audrey Hepburn's starring role in it. However, man did I get into this movie. This film was extremely controversial when it came out in the early 60's and has to do with gay rights. Definitely ahead of it's time.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Children's Hour (1961)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
What a nice surprise gbromberg
Remake! Remake! Remake! brownbunny00
Failed Remake wmoores
Where was the house in the film located? rbl782002
Why Did Karen Put on Martha's Jacket? lbewiz
Was Martha really gay? zuzupetal_99
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