The Children's Hour (1961)

Director:

William Wyler

Writers:

Lillian Hellman (play)
John Michael Hayes (screenplay)
(more)

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 girls' school accuses two teachers of being lesbians.

Plot Keywords:

School | Girl | Teacher | Lesbian | Lie

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)
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Jered Barclay	...	Grocery Boy (uncredited)
Florence MacMichael	...	Bit Part (uncredited)
Harold Miller	...	Parent on Visitor's Day (uncredited)
Ed Prentiss	...	Head of Hospital (uncredited)

Directed by
William Wyler

Writing credits
Lillian Hellman		(play)
John Michael Hayes		(screenplay)
Lillian Hellman		(adaptation)

Produced by
Robert Wyler	....	associate producer
William Wyler	....	producer
Walter Mirisch	....	executive producer (uncredited)

Original Music by
Alex North

Cinematography by
Franz Planer		(director of photography) (as Franz F. Planer)

Film Editing by
Robert Swink

Casting by
Lynn Stalmaster		(uncredited)

Art Direction by
Fernando Carrere

Set Decoration by
Edward G. Boyle

Costume Design by
Dorothy Jeakins

Makeup Department
Emile LaVigne	....	makeup artist
Frank McCoy	....	makeup artist
Joan St. Oegger	....	hair stylist

Production Management
Allen K. Wood	....	production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Robert E. Relyea	....	assistant director
Jerome M. Siegel	....	second assistant director

Art Department
Frank Agnone	....	property

Sound Department
Don Hall	....	sound editor (as Don Hall Jr.)
Fred Lau	....	sound
Buddy Myers	....	sound re-recordist
Gordon Sawyer	....	sound (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Robert Willoughby	....	special still photographer (uncredited)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Irene Caine	....	wardrobe
Bert Henrikson	....	wardrobe
Ruth Stella	....	wardrobe

Editorial Department
Hal Ashby	....	assistant film editor (as Wm. Hal Ashby)

Music Department
Richard C. Harris	....	music editor
Alex North	....	conductor
Alex North	....	orchestrator (uncredited)
Edward B. Powell	....	orchestrator (uncredited)
Urban Thielmann	....	orchestra contractor (uncredited)

Other crew
Leon Charles	....	dialogue coach
John Franco	....	script supervisor
Clarence Marks	....	assistant to producer
Wayne Fitzgerald	....	title designer (uncredited)
Jean-Étienne Siry	....	poster designer (french version) (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Mirisch Corporation, The (presents) (as The Mirisch Company)

Distributors

• United Artists (1961) (USA) (theatrical) (as United Artists An MGM Company)
• United Artists (1962) (West Germany) (theatrical)
• MGM/UA Home Video (1990) (USA) (VHS) (pan and scan)
• MGM Home Entertainment (2004) (Germany) (DVD)
• Seven Films (2011) (Greece) (theatrical) (re-release)

Also Known As:

Runtime:

107 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

Australia:MA | Canada:18A | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15 | UK:12 (video rating) (2004) | UK:X (original rating) | USA:Approved (certificate #20107) | West Germany:12 (f) (re-rated) | West Germany:16 (f) (original rating) | Portugal:M/12 | USA:Not Rated

Filming Locations:

Shadow Ranch, Vanowen Street, West Hills, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Mirisch Corporation, The

Trivia:

Program notes on back of both of US VHS and DVD editions claim that Katharine Hepburn was sought for one of lead roles that eventually went to Audrey Hepburn and Shirley MacLaine, both of whom played teachers newly-graduated from college. By early Sixties, Hepburn was far too old for either role and, if ever actually considered for a part in the movie, would have been suitable only for far more mature roles played by Miriam Hopkins or, more likely, Fay Bainter.

Goofs:

Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): Upon learning that Mrs. Tilford is telling every in town she's a lesbian, Martha Dobie (a schoolteacher who should know the difference) threatens to sue her for libel (which pertains to printed defamation of character), rather than slander (oral defamation).

Quotes:

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

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Truth About Jane (2000) (TV)

Moving and Intimate and Powerful

A film that shows how a simple lie can unravel the lives of everyone around it. Shirley MacClaine truly captures the pain of unrequited love. The directing of the film brings intimately close with the characters. We see Audrey Hepburn like we've never seen her before, calm cool and collected a far cry from Holly Golightly. The child who plays Mary Tilford is truly evil quite an excellent little drama queen. Her grandmother also plays an excellent role we truly feel for her when she realises her mistakes. We feel her pain. This film shows how what we build up life can be so easily destroyed and it shows society's prejudiced against love. A definite must see for the powerful acting.