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IMDbPro

The Children's Hour

  • 19611961
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 1h 48m
IMDb RATING
7.8/10
16K
YOUR RATING
The Children's Hour (1961)
Watch ’Trailer’
Play trailer1:49
1 Video
63 Photos
  • Drama
  • Romance
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.
IMDb RATING
7.8/10
16K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • William Wyler
  • Writers
    • Lillian Hellman(play)
    • John Michael Hayes(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Audrey Hepburn
    • Shirley MacLaine
    • James Garner
Top credits
  • Director
    • William Wyler
  • Writers
    • Lillian Hellman(play)
    • John Michael Hayes(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Audrey Hepburn
    • Shirley MacLaine
    • James Garner
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 156User reviews
    • 42Critic reviews
    • 49Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 5 Oscars
      • 1 win & 11 nominations total

    Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 1:49
    Trailer

    Photos63

    9686-4 "Children's Hour, The" Audrey Hepburn, Shirley MacLaine and James Garner
    9686-2 "Children's Hour, The" Fay Bainter, Shirley MacLaine, Audrey Hepburn, James Garner, Karen Balkin 1961 UA
    9686-5 "Children's Hour, The" Audrey Hepburn, Shirley MacLaine and James Garner
    9686-18 "Children's Hour, The" Audrey Hepburn 1961 UA
    9686-17 "Children's Hour, The" Audrey Hepburn and Shirley MacLaine 1961 UA
    9686-16 "Children's Hour, The" Audrey Hepburn and Shirley MacLaine 1961 UA
    9686-10 "Children's Hour, The" Audrey Hepburn and Shirley MacLaine 1961 UA
    9686-9 "Children's Hour, The" Audrey Hepburn 1961 UA
    9686-7 "Children's Hour, The" Audrey Hepburn 1961 UA
    "The Children's Hour" Director William Wyler 1961 MGM
    "The Children's Hour" Director William Wyler, Karen Balkin 1961 MGM
    "The Children's Hour" Director William Wyler, Shirley MacLaine 1961 MGM

    Top cast

    Edit
    Audrey Hepburn
    Audrey Hepburn
    • Karen Wrightas Karen Wright
    Shirley MacLaine
    Shirley MacLaine
    • Martha Dobieas Martha Dobie
    James Garner
    James Garner
    • Dr. Joe Cardinas Dr. Joe Cardin
    Miriam Hopkins
    Miriam Hopkins
    • Mrs. Lily Mortaras Mrs. Lily Mortar
    Fay Bainter
    Fay Bainter
    • Mrs. Amelia Tilfordas Mrs. Amelia Tilford
    Karen Balkin
    • Mary Tilfordas Mary Tilford
    Veronica Cartwright
    Veronica Cartwright
    • Rosalie Wellsas Rosalie Wells
    Mimi Gibson
    Mimi Gibson
    • Evelynas Evelyn
    Debbie Moldow
    • Studentas Student
    Diane Mountford
    • Studentas Student
    William Mims
    William Mims
    • Mr. Burtonas Mr. Burton
    Sally Brophy
    • Rosalie's Motheras Rosalie's Mother
    • (as Sallie Brophy)
    Hope Summers
    Hope Summers
    • Agatha - the Tilford Maidas Agatha - the Tilford Maid
    Jered Barclay
    • Grocery Boyas Grocery Boy
    • (uncredited)
    Paul Bradley
    • Parent at Piano Recitalas Parent at Piano Recital
    • (uncredited)
    Stuart Hall
    Stuart Hall
    • Mourneras Mourner
    • (uncredited)
    George Holmes
    George Holmes
    • Mourneras Mourner
    • (uncredited)
    Pete Kellett
    Pete Kellett
    • Taxi Driveras Taxi Driver
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • William Wyler
    • Writers
      • Lillian Hellman(play) (adaptation)
      • John Michael Hayes(screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details 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 reviews156

    Review
    Top review
    Ripe for re-release!
    A 'classic' film, (whatever that may be), can almost never be re-made in quite the same way again. It's something that we've thought about for quite a while, though - and noted filmmakers (including Gus Van Sant and Sydney Pollack) have tried and failed to re-make films to jazz up their appeal, and make them more accessible to a wider audience. It's something that passed through my mind quite a few times as I watched "The Children's Hour" today. Quite clearly, this is a film that more people deserve to see and know about, and it would certainly be interesting to try and re-make it, but we would definitely lose something in the translation.

    The largest reason for this is because it is a film of a definite period - the issues raised in the film are widely discussed these days, whereas in the period the film was set, homosexuality was something to be feared and despised. Similarly, we do not have the various elaborate codes of honour that are so prevalent in the film, and dictate the actions of almost all characters. It's a pity, then, that this film will be alien to lots of people today. The answer, however, is not in a re-make (the film is itself a re-make of a 1936 film by the same director called "These Three", and an adaptation of a play of the same name by Lillian Hellman), but a re-release of this fine example of moviemaking.

    Boasting a terrific cast including Audrey Hepburn, Shirley MacLaine and James Garner, "The Children's Hour" is the story of two teachers, Miss Dobie and Miss Wright, who found a school for young girls in an idyllic town in America. Then, out of boredom, spite and plain maliciousness, a child tells a vicious lie that will bring about the downfall of the school, the teachers, and all caught up in the horrible set of affairs. It is quite possible to see the creeping evil and hatred that stems from Mary, the child concerned (played wonderfully by Karen Balkin). Eventually, it reaches out and destroys all it touches.

    The photography is great (it was nominated for an Oscar) - there are many scenes which are so wonderfully composed that each frame paints a thousand words: the climax of the movie is a great example. The relationship between MacLaine and Hepburn is delicately and sensitively portrayed, especially for a cast who didn't know what they were doing (according to MacLaine in an interview for "The Celluloid Closet"). James Garner is also good in his role as the doctor about to marry Hepburn, although the movie is clearly not aimed at giving him the best lines. There are also many, many superb supporting roles - and the film's strength comes from a great ensemble performance.

    It doesn't really matter what the child accuses the teachers of (indeed we only find out a good hour into the film, although it has been strongly implied), because the film isn't really about homosexuality. As MacLaine points out in "The Celluloid Closet" (a cracking documentary about the history of homosexuality in the movies), it is about "a child's accusation". It is also about the power held by a town to bring about the downfall of two perfectly nice, perfectly ordinary young people. The are lines in the film that one should never forget and it should also make us think about the way our words shape the situations in which we live: ("unnatural" is a great example).

    All in all, a lovely film from director William Wyler ("Ben-Hur", "Roman Holiday", "Funny Girl"), and one that deserves to be seen by a wider audience - re-release, please!
    helpful•109
    12
    • Chris-564
    • Sep 22, 1999

    FAQ10

    • What is "The Children's Hour" about?
    • Is "The Children's Hour" based on a book?
    • Is it true that "The Children's Hour" was inspired by a true story?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 19, 1961 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Infamous!
    • Filming locations
      • Shadow Ranch, Vanowen Street, West Hills, Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production company
      • The Mirisch Corporation
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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

    Technical specs

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

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