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IMDbPro

A Child Is Waiting

  • 19631963
  • ApprovedApproved
  • 1h 42m
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
3K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
22,320
3,539
A Child Is Waiting (1963)
Psychologist Dr. Matthew Clark is the head of the Crawthorne State Training Institute, one of the first boarding schools for developmentally challenged children. Dr. Clark is sympathetic but demanding of his teachers and students. His approach of tough love is controversial. He takes a chance at hiring former aspiring concert pianist Jean Hansen as the school's music teacher, Miss Hansen who has no background in nursing, teaching or dealing with the developmentally challenged. She herself is trying to find her own place in life. She immediately bonds with autistic student Reuben Widdicombe, who she sees as needing special attention in light of his parents having not visited him since they enrolled him in the school two years earlier. The Widdicombes divorced shortly thereafter because of the pressures their relationship faced in dealing with Reuben. Dr. Clark sees Reuben as the type of child the most difficult with which to deal: Reuben understands just enough to realize that he is different and is often being rejected. Miss Hansen and Dr. Clark disagree on how best to get through to Reuben. Although Dr. Clark admits that his methods have not worked with Reuben, he also does not believe that Miss Hansen's approach of undivided attention is the answer. Through getting to know the Widdicombe's reasons for not visiting and she herself seeing the life of the adult disabled, Miss Hansen comes to an understanding of how she feels she can best help her students, Reuben included.
Play trailer2:46
1 Video
30 Photos
Drama
Psychologist Dr. Matthew Clark is the head of the Crawthorne State Training Institute, one of the first boarding schools for developmentally challenged children. Dr. Clark is sympathetic but... Read allPsychologist Dr. Matthew Clark is the head of the Crawthorne State Training Institute, one of the first boarding schools for developmentally challenged children. Dr. Clark is sympathetic but demanding of his teachers and students. His approach of tough love is controversial. He t... Read allPsychologist Dr. Matthew Clark is the head of the Crawthorne State Training Institute, one of the first boarding schools for developmentally challenged children. Dr. Clark is sympathetic but demanding of his teachers and students. His approach of tough love is controversial. He takes a chance at hiring former aspiring concert pianist Jean Hansen as the school's music ... Read all
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
3K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
22,320
3,539
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Director
      • John Cassavetes
    • Writer
      • Abby Mann(screenplay)
    • Stars
      • Burt Lancaster
      • Judy Garland
      • Gena Rowlands
    Top credits
    • Director
      • John Cassavetes
    • Writer
      • Abby Mann(screenplay)
    • Stars
      • Burt Lancaster
      • Judy Garland
      • Gena Rowlands
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 54User reviews
    • 32Critic reviews
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination

    Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 2:46
    Trailer

    Photos30

    Judy Garland and Bruce Ritchey in A Child Is Waiting (1963)
    A Child Is Waiting (1963)
    A Child Is Waiting (1963)
    Judy Garland and Burt Lancaster in A Child Is Waiting (1963)
    Judy Garland and Burt Lancaster in A Child Is Waiting (1963)
    Judy Garland, Gloria McGehee, Bruce Ritchey, and June Walker in A Child Is Waiting (1963)
    Burt Lancaster in A Child Is Waiting (1963)
    Judy Garland and Bruce Ritchey in A Child Is Waiting (1963)
    A Child Is Waiting (1963)
    Burt Lancaster and Paul Stewart in A Child Is Waiting (1963)
    Judy Garland and Burt Lancaster in A Child Is Waiting (1963)
    Gena Rowlands, Steven Hill, and Bruce Ritchey in A Child Is Waiting (1963)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Burt Lancaster
    Burt Lancaster
    • Dr. Matthew Clark
    Judy Garland
    Judy Garland
    • Jean Hansen
    Gena Rowlands
    Gena Rowlands
    • Sophie Widdicombe
    Steven Hill
    Steven Hill
    • Ted Widdicombe
    Paul Stewart
    Paul Stewart
    • Goodman
    Gloria McGehee
    • Mattie
    Lawrence Tierney
    Lawrence Tierney
    • Douglas Benham
    Bruce Ritchey
    Bruce Ritchey
    • Reuben Widdicombe
    John Marley
    John Marley
    • Holland
    Bill Mumy
    Bill Mumy
    • Boy Counting Jean's Pearls
    Elizabeth Wilson
    Elizabeth Wilson
    • Miss Fogarty
    Jim Backus
    Jim Backus
    • Hot Dog vendor
    • (uncredited)
    John Cassavetes
    John Cassavetes
    • Retarded Adult Who Walks Toward Camera
    • (unconfirmed)
    • (uncredited)
    Marilyn Clark
      Brian Corcoran
      • Lewis
      • (uncredited)
      Fred Draper
      Fred Draper
      • Dr. Sack
      • (uncredited)
      Mario Gallo
      Mario Gallo
      • Dr. Ernie Lombardi
      • (uncredited)
      Juanita Moore
      Juanita Moore
      • Julius' Mother
      • (uncredited)
      • Director
        • John Cassavetes
      • Writer
        • Abby Mann(screenplay) (story)
      • All cast & crew
      • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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      Storyline

      Edit

      Did you know

      Edit
      • Trivia
        Director John Cassavetes and Producer Stanley Kramer had many creative / economic differences and during the editing phase, Cassavetes was fired.
      • Goofs
        The narrator tells us Reuben was placed in the State Mental Hospital 6 September 1959, but the automobile in which he arrives bears very visible 1962 New York license plates.
      • Quotes

        Dr. Matthew Clark: I think you can find what you're looking for here, Miss Hansen. Because it's not what you can do for these children; it's what they can do for you.

      • Crazy credits
        Following the last name in the cast list (Elizabeth Wilson) are the words "and The Children".
      • Connections
        Featured in Edge of Outside (2006)
      • Soundtracks
        Snowflakes
        Written by Marjorie D. Kurtz
        Performed Judy Garland

      User reviews54

      Review
      Top review
      9/10
      Very Moving
      This was one of the most moving films I have ever seen. The cast is exceptional, the direction sure-footed and matter of fact, and the screenplay rarely pontificates. The inclusion of real handicapped children adds to the realistic atmosphere. Should be seen by everyone, especially young people. Judy Garland is perfect in one of her last roles.
      helpful•23
      1
      • jeffy-3
      • Jul 17, 2000

      FAQ6

      • Is 'A Child is Waiting' based on a book?
      • What is this movie about?
      • Does Judy Garland sing in this movie?

      Details

      Edit
      • Release date
        • January 11, 1963 (United States)
      • Country of origin
        • United States
      • Language
        • English
      • Also known as
        • Ein Kind wartet
      • Filming locations
        • Lanterman Development Center - 3530 W Pomona Blvd, Pomona, California, USA
      • Production company
        • Stanley Kramer Productions
      • See more company credits at IMDbPro

      Technical specs

      Edit
      • Runtime
        1 hour 42 minutes
      • Color
        • Black and White
      • Sound mix
        • Mono
      • Aspect ratio
        • 1.66 : 1

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