7.3/10
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45 user 25 critic

A Child Is Waiting (1963)

Approved | | Drama | 11 May 1963 (Italy)
A Child Is Waiting Poster
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 ... See full summary »

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(screenplay), (story)

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1 nomination. See more awards »

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Cast

Complete credited cast:
... Dr. Matthew Clark
... Jean Hansen
... Sophie Widdicombe
... Ted Widdicombe
... Goodman
Gloria McGehee ... Mattie
... Douglas Benham
... Reuben Widdicombe
... Holland
... Boy Counting Jean's Pearls
... Miss Fogarty
See full cast »
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Storyline

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 ... Written by Huggo

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

teaching | down's syndrome | based on tv movie | school | disability | See All (6) »

Taglines:

Burt Lancaster & Judy Garland take an untouched theme - and make it touching and unforgettable! See more »

Genres:

Drama

Certificate:

Approved | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

11 May 1963 (Italy)  »

Also Known As:

Un niño espera  »

Filming Locations:

 »

Company Credits

Production Co:

 »
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Technical Specs

Runtime:

| (TCM print)

Sound Mix:

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The actor playing Dr Mazer is not credited anywhere, but he looks exactly like, and must surely be Edward Asner. See more »

Goofs

As the camera pans to show Reuben sitting in the car at the beginning of the movie, a crew member is reflected in the car window. See more »

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.
See more »

Crazy Credits

Following the last name in the cast list (Elizabeth Wilson) are the words "and The Children". See more »

Connections

Featured in Edge of Outside (2006) See more »

Soundtracks

Snowflakes
Written by Marjorie D. Kurtz
Performed Judy Garland
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who is the sister of the President of the United States that "it" happened to?
Q: What was wrong with Reuben?
Q: Does Judy Garland sing in this movie?
See more »

User Reviews

 
Greatly Under-rated Film; We'll Always Be Waiting ****
5 March 2006 | by – See all my reviews

Shortly after making the blockbuster "Judgment at Nuremberg," Judy Garland and Burt Lancaster again teamed in "A Child is Waiting."

Ms. Garland, again takes a non-singing role, is captivating as a very sympathetic worker in a home for mentally retarded children. She encounters Lancaster, a child psychologist, whose strict methods are in reality what a child in this situation needs so that he or she can function later in life.

Garland takes an immediate interest in Reuben, whose parents left him at the institution and have never visited him. The father is an embittered worker and Gena Rowlands does well as the heartbroken mother.

Frustrated with his deficiency and wondering where his parents are, the child acts out. Garland shows sympathy but her feelings run contrary to Lancaster's methods and the two conflict.

It is not until the child runs away from the institution that the situations are resolved.

A truly wonderful movie which was under rated by critics.
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