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The Children's Hour

  • 1961
  • Approved
  • 1h 48m
IMDb RATING
7.8/10
20K
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 schoolgirl ruins her two headmistresses with a scandalous lie.A schoolgirl ruins her two headmistresses with a scandalous lie.A schoolgirl ruins her two headmistresses with a scandalous lie.

  • 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
    20K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • William Wyler
    • Writers
      • Lillian Hellman
      • John Michael Hayes
    • Stars
      • Audrey Hepburn
      • Shirley MacLaine
      • James Garner
    • 172User reviews
    • 50Critic reviews
    • 49Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 5 Oscars
      • 1 win & 12 nominations total

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    Trailer 1:49
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    Photos66

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    Top cast25

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    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
    • 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
    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

    User reviews172

    7.819.9K
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    Featured reviews

    8totalwonder

    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.
    8HotToastyRag

    Great acting and story

    It's always a shame when classic movies' breakthroughs have been so overdone that watching the original loses its meaning. I hope when you watch The Children's Hour you can appreciate how groundbreaking and scandalous it was in 1961.

    Based on a Lillian Hellman play (that's your cue to prepare yourself for a very heavy movie), Audrey Hepburn and Shirley MacLaine play two teachers at an all-girls school. One of the students is a terrible, pot-stirring brat, and she starts a rumor about her two teachers. She claims she saw them kissing, and the aftermath of her accusation wreaks havoc on the good friends' careers and lives. In the original film, the evil-minded child says she saw one woman's fiancé go into the bedroom of the other woman. That was all that could get past the censors in 1936. Audrey Hepburn does have a fiancé, James Garner, but there are no sparks flying between him and Shirley MacLaine. In fact, when you watch the movie for a second time, you can really see the animosity and resentment Shirley feels towards him.

    The acting in this movie is fantastic. Fay Bainter's supporting role as the little girl's grandmother is the best of her career. Given very little dialogue, her face speaks volumes during every scene. Miriam Hopkins, another old timer, gets to play Shirley's self-centered aunt - and in a cute casting choice, she played Shirley's role in the original version. This is one of the last movie you'll get to see James Garner do any real acting, before he got typecast as "the scrounger". Shirley really steals the show, though. She knows when to take the backseat, and she knows when it's her turn to shine; when she does, she sends goosebumps up your arms. The Academy made her wait until 1983 to receive an award. Here at the Hot Toasty Rags, we were very happy to award her in 1961 for The Children's Hour.

    This is a tough movie to watch, so only rent it when you're in the mood for something heavy. Obviously, moral discussions will abound afterwards, but what gets under my skin the most is the trouble-making child. So often, children and teenagers do damage without realizing the consequences. I hope someday young people will be less selfish and learn to see the bigger picture. Revenge, self-righteousness, and deception are terrible qualities. Hopefully The Children's Hour can teach a valuable lesson.
    8hitchcockthelegend

    It's not dated at all !.

    The themes explored in The Children's Hour are far from dated, so i just can't conspire to other writers who feel this way.

    Karen and Martha are best friends who share a home together, they also work at the same all Girls school. Mary Tilford is a spiteful little child, when she is caught out for a lie she is duly scolded. In retaliation she starts casting doubts about the nature of Karen & Martha's relationship, pretty soon the gossip spirals out of control and the ladies are faced with empty classrooms and strained relations at home. A court case is in the air, but just what will be the outcome with a society so quick to frown on something that they deem unnatural?, regardless of it being truth or fiction.

    Coming as it did in 1961, The Children's Hour was something of a brave picture, possessing as it does, a plot strand about lesbianism. Yet the film is itself a remake of These Three from 1936, tho also penned by Lillian Hellman {William Wyler directing both pieces}, These Three was built around a heterosexual tryst. The force driving The Children's Hour on is its willingness to explore a then frowned upon topic, whilst simultaneously running a plot arc about the power of a devious tongue, the innocence of youth a cloak shielding bitter intentions. Audrey Hepburn is a wonderful piece of casting, her portrayal of Karen is very restrained, giving the character an aura of worth and gracefulness. James Garner plays Karen's beau, Dr. Joe Cardin, he's a crucial part of the story but Garner never really dominates the screen in the way you feel the character should, however in the face of the films best performance, it's probably understandable that Garner is hardly worth a second glance. That best performance comes from Shirley MacLaine, it's a towering acting job full of wrought emotion and steely determination, it's only during the films last quarter do you realise just how well MacLaine has layered Martha. MacLaine and Hepburn are very different in acting styles, and this makes The Children's Hour a character piece to savour in any decade. 8/10
    9emilyh113

    Stands the test of time, Excellent acting, good story line, heartfelt

    My favorite review of this film is a short, concise one entitled WOW written in 2000 (read it and you'll read my feelings exactly!). I believe it says a lot that over 40 years later, we still want to comment and view this movie (a movie that is not necessarily a popular classic that people know about). I had never heard of this movie until looking on Netflix and deciding to rent all the Audrey Hepburn movies. While she is fabulous, I thought Shirley M was the shining performance in this movie. James Garner is so genuinely loving and likable (as usual!) The other characters are also fabulous but for length I won't list them all! I highly recommend this film to someone who appreciates dramatic film with good character development. It is definitely not what I expected from something on an Audrey Hepburn list (which makes me love her more)! Some raters feel that this movie has homophobic undertones and is not appropriate for today's society (because we are so open minded now???). As someone who has worked with youth of today in a small town, I believe it is still relatable. I think it would open up a good discussion because I felt hope in the midst of tragedy (I don't want to give away anything but basically a "what could you have done instead" dialog).

    I weeped at the end but would watch it again as it is superb. I would give it a 10 but having only seen it once, I feel biased as I'm sure there are minor flaws somewhere! I give it a 9.9/10 instead!
    strose

    A very intriguing film.

    I just watched "The Children's Hour" for the first time this evening. I must say that I was very impressed. Hepburn and MacLaine gave brilliant performances as the two headmistresses of a girl's school. The cinema photography was outstanding and the direction and writing were fantastic.

    Turner Classic Movies ran this gorgeous film this evening and the comments that were made after the run brought several thoughts to mind. After viewing the movie, I decided to get on-line and see what others had to say about this film.

    The one comment that was made tonight was that it was thought that the film didn't really `appeal' to the heightened sensibility of the audiences of the 60's. However, I felt that the movie was timeless in its observations and portrayals of its two main characters. Grant it, homosexuality was NOT the main focus of this movie but it does play a very important, albeit, small role.

    In today's society, homosexuality is more widely accepted than it was at the time this play was written. However, there is one area in society that it is still 'taboo' to be gay and that is in the teaching profession. There are STILL, more than 40 years after this movie was made, teachers that cannot be who they really are for fear of losing their jobs, the respect of their peers and the trust of parents. Grant it this is not in every part of the country, in every town, but it is still as thus in small-town America. I know this for fact, as I am the life-partner of a teacher. I know what it is like for him to have to hide who he really is and the torture that he goes through because of it. Children can say some very vicious things and I have seen what it can do to a person first-hand. This is why I feel that this picture is very 'true to life'; because in so many ways this is still the way things are today.

    Indeed, more people should see this movie! Maybe people would think before spreading rumors. This is a prime example of what one comment can do to a person's life and how it can snowball.

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    Related interests

    Casey Affleck and Michelle Williams in Manchester by the Sea (2016)
    Tragedy
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    Drama
    Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca (1942)
    Romance

    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • 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

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 19, 1961 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • French
    • Also known as
      • La mentira infame
    • Filming locations
      • Shadow Ranch, Sylmar, California, USA(Shadow Ranch Park, West Hills, CA)
    • 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

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    • Runtime
      • 1h 48m(108 min)
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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