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The Children's Hour

  • 1961
  • Approved
  • 1h 48m
IMDb RATING
7.8/10
19K
YOUR RATING
Audrey Hepburn, Shirley MacLaine, and James Garner in The Children's Hour (1961)
Watch Trailer
Play trailer1:49
1 Video
66 Photos
TragedyDramaRomance

A rebellious student at a girls' school accuses two teachers of lesbianism.A rebellious student at a girls' school accuses two teachers of lesbianism.A rebellious student at a girls' school accuses two teachers of lesbianism.

  • Director
    • William Wyler
  • Writers
    • Lillian Hellman
    • John Michael Hayes
  • Stars
    • Audrey Hepburn
    • Shirley MacLaine
    • James Garner
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.8/10
    19K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • William Wyler
    • Writers
      • Lillian Hellman
      • John Michael Hayes
    • Stars
      • Audrey Hepburn
      • Shirley MacLaine
      • James Garner
    • 169User reviews
    • 49Critic reviews
    • 49Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 5 Oscars
      • 1 win & 12 nominations total

    Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 1:49
    Trailer

    Photos66

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    Top cast25

    Edit
    Audrey Hepburn
    Audrey Hepburn
    • Karen Wright
    Shirley MacLaine
    Shirley MacLaine
    • Martha Dobie
    James Garner
    James Garner
    • Dr. Joe Cardin
    Miriam Hopkins
    Miriam Hopkins
    • Mrs. Lily Mortar
    Fay Bainter
    Fay Bainter
    • Mrs. Amelia Tilford
    Karen Balkin
    • Mary Tilford
    Veronica Cartwright
    Veronica Cartwright
    • Rosalie Wells
    Mimi Gibson
    Mimi Gibson
    • Evelyn
    Debbie Moldow
    • Student
    Diane Mountford
    Diane Mountford
    • Student
    William Mims
    William Mims
    • Mr. Burton
    Sallie Brophy
    Sallie Brophy
    • Rosalie's Mother
    Hope Summers
    Hope Summers
    • Agatha - the Tilford Maid
    Jered Barclay
    • Grocery Boy
    • (uncredited)
    Paul Bradley
    • Parent at Piano Recital
    • (uncredited)
    Stuart Hall
    Stuart Hall
    • Mourner
    • (uncredited)
    George Holmes
    George Holmes
    • Mourner
    • (uncredited)
    Pete Kellett
    Pete Kellett
    • Taxi Driver
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • William Wyler
    • Writers
      • Lillian Hellman
      • John Michael Hayes
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Veronica Cartwright (Rosalie) said in an interview that she and the other children were told not to hang around with Shirley MacLaine on set because she "cursed a lot". They all did, however, because they thought she was "cool" and "very generous". She also became Cartwright's mentor throughout the making of the film.
    • Goofs
      Upon learning that Mrs. Tilford is telling everyone 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). However, later in the film, "slander" is used correctly.
    • 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.

      Martha: It's funny. It's all mixed up. There's something in you, and you don't know anything about it because you don't know it's there. And then suddenly, one night a little girl gets bored and tells a lie, and there, for the first time, you see it. Then you say to yourself, did she see it? Did she sense it?

      Karen: But you know it could have been any lie. She was looking for anything to...

      Martha: But why this lie? She found the lie with the ounce of truth. Don't you see? I can't stand to have you touch me! I can't stand to have you look at me! Oh, it's all my fault. I have ruined your life and I have ruined my own. I swear I didn't know it! I didn't mean it! Oh, I feel so damn sick and dirty I can't stand it anymore!

    • Connections
      Featured in Homo Promo (1991)
    • Soundtracks
      Loch Lomond
      (uncredited)

      Traditional Scots-Gaelic song first published in 1841

      Included in piano medley

    User reviews169

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    8/10

    Lillian Hellman's Women

    Lillian Hellman is an American Icon. A woman ahead of her time, in every department. Her women are never easy to read but they are real. From the icy Regina in "The Little Foxes" to the sisters of "Toys In The Attic" - Jane Fonda played her, brilliantly, in "Julia", Here, her women walked a slightly edgier plane."The Children's Hours" was a big Broadway success and William Wyler, one of the best, directed the film version as "These Three" in the 1930's, washing away any reference to homosexuality. I think that may be one of the reasons why he remade it in 1961 under its original title "The Children's Hour" Audrey Hepburn, Shirley MacLaine, James Garner, Fay Bainter and Miriam Hopkins who also was in the original in Shirley MacLaine's part. The film is compelling and looks wonderful and I think it's more a document of its day by one of the most courageous writers of her day. The strange thing here is that the women are the ones who remain firmly in their day, they show us the outrage from their perspective and that's why it feels "dated" They would behave very differently today but not the rich southerners. I believe, they would also remove their children from the school. just like they did then. The oppressed have move on but the oppressors, have diminished in numbers, but they havent changed much. A fascinating film.
    • totalwonder
    • Mar 14, 2018
    • Permalink

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 19, 1961 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • French
    • Also known as
      • Infamous!
    • Filming locations
      • Shadow Ranch, Sylmar, California, USA(Location)
    • Production company
      • The Mirisch Corporation
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    • Budget
      • $3,600,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 48 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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