The Children's Hour

Name: The Children's Hour
Genre: Drama, Romance
Released: December 19, 1961
Duration: 108 min
Rating: 49
Cast: Audrey Hepburn, Debbie Moldow, Diane Mountford, Fay Bainter, James Garner

1961

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Mixed or average reviews based on 7 Critic Reviews

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Generally favorable reviews based on 7 Ratings

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7.6

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7.6	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 7 Ratings

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The Children's Hour

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Movie Details & Credits

United Artists | Release Date: December 19, 1961 | Approved

Starring: Audrey Hepburn, Debbie Moldow, Diane Mountford, Fay Bainter, James Garner, Karen Balkin, Mimi Gibson, Miriam Hopkins, Shirley MacLaine, Veronica Cartwright

Summary: A troublemaking student at a girls' school accuses two teachers of being lesbians.

Director: William Wyler

Genre(s): Drama, Romance

Rating: Approved

Runtime: 108 min

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Critic Reviews

Staff (Not Credited)

Audrey Hepburn and Shirley MacLaine, in the leading roles, beautifully complement each other. Hepburn’s soft sensitivity, mar- velous projection and emotional understatement result in a memorable portrayal. MacLaine’s enactment is almost equally rich in depth and substance. Read full review

TV Guide Magazine Staff (Not Credited)

The performances range from adequate (Balkin's) to exquisite (MacLaine's), and the movie broke new ground for 1961. These days the story wouldn't be all that controversial, but in 1934, when the play was first presented, it dealt with a different set of mores. Read full review

Mike Clark

We never get the scenes we really want to see, like the teacher-initiated slander trial or their snotty accuser's comeuppance. Instead, we get too many strained conversations. [21 Dec 1990, p.3D]

Dave Kehr

Miriam Hopkins, of the original cast, is around to lend a sense of continuity to the remake, but Wyler still seems unable to confront the material. This is Mature, Adult drama, and hence something of a bore. Read full review

Pauline Kael

Too self-conscious, though; the cinematography, by Franz Planer, may sometimes evoke Balthus, but the atmosphere is heavy and lugubrious.

Marjorie Baumgarten

Despite wonderful performances from all the actors, Wyler’s attempt to retell the story in a more forthright manner still seems to pussyfoot timidly around the issues. Read full review

Bosley Crowther

It is hard to believe that Lillian Hellman's famous stage play, The Children's Hour, could have aged into such a cultural antique in the course of three decades as it looks in the new film version. Read full review

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FilipeNeto

Jan 23, 2022

This film was based on a play that ran for some time on Broadway, and which gave rise to a film in the Thirties. However, I feel some reluctance to say that this film is a remake because this film, in order to be shown commercially, had to change important parts of the original story, veryThis film was based on a play that ran for some time on Broadway, and which gave rise to a film in the Thirties. However, I feel some reluctance to say that this film is a remake because this film, in order to be shown commercially, had to change important parts of the original story, very controversial. Be that as it may, it was not a very happy one: despite its merits, it was largely ignored when it was released, and continues to be ignored and forgotten to this day.

The script brings us a very good story in which two school teachers are accused by one of the children of having a lesbian romance. The accusation is slanderous, and this film shows us how mean and deceitful that particular child can be, and how interested she was in using every weapon to get out of that school and convince her rich and influential grandmother to take her out. Even so, the grandmother gave credence to the lie told by her granddaughter and used all her influence to harm the school.

Let's face it, it's a film released in the 60s, and if the topic of homosexuality was no longer as problematic as in the past, it was still far from being taboo. This is so true that only on a couple of occasions do the dialogues truly say that the teachers are accused of being lovers. In my way of looking at it, it was a bold take on a topic that couldn't be talked about, and I see the film as one of the first to take the gay theme seriously in cinema. In fact, there are even several moments when we realize that the accusation, although empty and slanderous, was never far from the truth: Martha really had feelings for Karen, without admitting it to anyone, including herself. And so confused was she with everything that happened that the movie ends as it ends.

The film has a good cast, headed by Audrey Hepburn and Shirley MacLaine, in the roles of the two outraged teachers. I don't think it was the best film of either one, but I must highlight the presence, commitment and drama of MacLaine, who was really good here. That's not to say Hepburn didn't respond in kind! The actress did a good job, and gives us a good interpretation, but it wasn't the film or the ideal material for the actress. Also, James Garner did a good job, collaborating very well with Hepburn, and Miriam Hopkins brought some madness to the film, giving her character a touch of nonsense, devoid of real malice. Fay Bainter, finally, is quite believable in the role of a rich, cynical and selfish grandmother.

Technically, the film features a regular and well-crafted pace, a sure direction that is signed by William Wyler and a very well done black-and-white cinematography. All the filming work was carried out competently and confidently, and the film is sharp, has a pleasant contrast and relatively well-made sets.… Expand

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