The Children's Hour

1961 "One simple lie destroyed everything they had."
7.8| 1h48m| NR| en| More Info
Released: 19 December 1961 Released
Producted By: United Artists
Country: United States of America
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
Official Website:
Info

A private school for young girls is scandalized when one spiteful student accuses the two young women who run the school of being in a relationship.

Genre

Drama

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Director

William Wyler

Production Companies

United Artists

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The Children's Hour Audience Reviews

Exoticalot People are voting emotionally.
Reptileenbu Did you people see the same film I saw?
CommentsXp Best movie ever!
Mathilde the Guild Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.
jhkp There's probably a reason Audrey Hepburn and Shirley MacLaine didn't make many heavy dramas. In fact once or twice while watching The Children's Hour, it occurred to me how much I would have enjoyed seeing them and co-star James Garner in a romantic comedy.Because despite their talent (and Oscar nominations), at this point, Audrey and Shirley were not necessarily known for their brilliance at drama. It's interesting William Wyler gave them a chance to do something utterly serious, but in my opinion they tend to lack that essential electricity that makes watching fine dramatic actors such a thrilling experience. They weren't without dramatic chops, but picture, for five seconds, Claire Bloom and Julie Harris in the female leads, and maybe you can understand the point I'm trying to make.Otherwise, add me to the chorus of those who think These Three (also directed by William Wyler) is the better of the two films. The two little girls in the first film, Bonita Granville and Marcia Mae Jones, are MILES above the girls in this one, Karen Balkin and Veronica Cartwright. I have no idea how the same director could have cast the remake so poorly. The one performer who comes off well is Miriam Hopkins (who played MacLaine's part in the original - brilliantly), as the self-centered actress aunt of MacLaine's character. I didn't even care for Fay Bainter (who I think got an Oscar nomination), and not just because Alma Kruger in These Three is so much better. Maybe it's having to react to the little girl (whose lies and histrionics wouldn't fool anyone over the age of six), but maybe it's also Miss Bainter. She's believable enough but almost too stern by half. She could be a general in the WACS.I also felt that the New England setting - at least I think it was supposed to be New England - was poorly realized, in what was obviously a southern California location (the San Fernando valley, I think).
totalwonder 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.
SnoopyStyle Karen Wright (Audrey Hepburn) and Martha Dobie (Shirley MacLaine) are best friends with their own little boarding school Wright and Dobie School for Girls. Karen is engaged to Dr. Joe Cardin (James Garner) who is the nephew of Mrs. Amelia Tilford. Her granddaughter mean girl Mary Tilford goes to the school. She gets punished by Karen for telling a lie and refusing to admit it. Martha feels abandoned by Karen. Martha's argumentative aunt Lily Mortar accuses Martha of having an UNNATURAL relationship with Karen. Mary's roommates eavesdrops on the argument and tells Mary who in turn tells her grandmother Amelia. To avoid going back to school, she adds even more lies. Talkative aunt Mortar is leaving and adds even more fuel to the fire. The gossip quickly spreads to all the parents.The little girl Mary is so deliciously evil. Young Veronica Cartwright plays the other girl who stole a locket and threatened by Mary. The actors are great although the acting gets very melodramatic. It's also very intense. It doesn't let go. Everybody is just so insanely annoying. It's overwrought and proud of it.
vincentlynch-moonoi I have never been a fan of Audrey Hepburn. Not saying I disliked her work...more I could take it or leave it, depending on the film. Not an actress that would lead me to the theater just because she was in a film.I generally dislike almost any performance by Miriam Hopkins. The one possible exception was when she starred with Bette Davis.I never cared for James Garner, either in the films or on television.Three strikes like that would typically make me simply not attend a film, or turn off the television. But I have watched this film several times, and am always fascinated with it.Audrey Hepburn is brilliant here; mostly an understated performance, and just perfect. Shirley MacLaine is not in a league with Hepburn here, but her performance is very good. James Garner is nigh on perfect in his part as the doctor and fiancé. Miriam Hopkins turns in a dead-on portrayal of a washed up actress and relative whose bitchiness precipitates the crisis.And special mention should be made of the performance by the wonderful Fay Bainter. Sometimes when this film is on TCM, I'll record it and just flip through her scenes. Possibly the best of her career, though certainly not the most lovable. Are you considering going to acting school. Don't bother. Just watch the pro steal every scene she's in...in fact, watch her steal the whole film! A lot has been made of the performances by the two key children actors here. I agree with those who feel that young Karen Balkin's performance was over the top. But, she was a young child. I'll have to criticize Willim Wyler (director) for that. On the other hand, Veronica Cartwright, was perfect as the child-victim.I don't want one to think that based on my last paragraph that William Wyler didn't direct a good film here. One error in judgment shouldn't be taken as an overall criticism. I can count an even 10 films of his that I personally revere (including this one), including his finest -- "Ben Hur".We shouldn't finish without almost praising author Lillian Hellman. Just another of Hellman's brilliant, though dark, masterpieces.This is a movie no serious film-goer should miss.