The Children's Hour (1961)

100% of critics liked it
(5 reviews)
82% of users liked it
(6,689 ratings)

Based on the 1934 play by Lillian Hellman, The Children's Hour is set at an exclusive girl's school managed by best friends Audrey Hepburn and Shirley MacLaine. When student Karen Balkin is punished for one of her many misdeeds, the mean-spirited youngster rushes to her wealthy aunt Fay Bainter,… More Based on the 1934 play by Lillian Hellman, The Children's Hour is set at an exclusive girl's school managed by best friends Audrey Hepburn and Shirley MacLaine. When student Karen Balkin is punished for one of her many misdeeds, the mean-spirited youngster rushes to her wealthy aunt Fay Bainter, and, randomly choosing a phrase she has undoubtedly read in some magazine, accuses Hepburn and MacLaine of having an "unnatural relationship." As Balkin's lies grow in viciousness, the student's parents withdraw their children from the school. Hepburn and MacLaine sue Bainter for libel, only to lose their case when MacLaine's aunt Miriam Hopkins refuses to testify as a character witness. The trial takes its toll on the relationship between Hepburn and her boyfriend James Garner. When Bainter discovers that her niece has been lying, she tries to make amends, but it is too late. Director William Wyler had also helmed the first film version of Children's Hour, 1936's These Three, which due to censorship restrictions of the time did without the lesbian angle (the little girl's accusations involved a supposed romantic triangle between the two ladies and a male friend). Miriam Hopkins, who plays a supporting role in The Children's Hour, originally essayed the Shirley MacLaine role in These Three. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 47 min.
Directed By: William Wyler
Written By: Lillian Hellman
Genres: Drama, Classics

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1961 Wide
On DVD: Dec 3, 2002
Studio: MGM Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Though well-acted by Shirley MacLaine and Audrey Hepburn, this second version of Lillian Hellman's play about the malice of lies is not as powerful as the first, in 1936, also helmed by William Wyler.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Closer to the play than Wyler's first effort at the story, but oddly less compelling.
James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette
Well-acted, albeit dated treatment of a then-taboo topic

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Featured Audience Ratings

Randy T

Director William Wyler is known for getting the best from his actors and The Children's Hour is certainly no exception. James Garner, Audrey Hepburn and (especially) Shirley MacLaine are at the top of their game. I don't know why this film doesn't… More
Director William Wyler is known for getting the best from his actors and The Children's Hour is certainly no exception. James Garner, Audrey Hepburn and (especially) Shirley MacLaine are at the top of their game. I don't know why this film doesn't get more press. Maybe the taboo nature of the material got it swept under the proverbial rug? It was certainly ahead of its time in terms of social statement and point-of-view. Or maybe it's just that schmucks like me don't shout its praises loudly enough. Whatever the reason, this is a film that should not be missed.
Melvin W

Martha: But why this lie? She found the lie with the ounce of truth. Don't you see? "What Made These Women Different?" The Children's Hour was a risky film to make when it was released. The subject matter was extremely controversial for that time period. Today,… More
Martha: But why this lie? She found the lie with the ounce of truth. Don't you see? "What Made These Women Different?" The Children's Hour was a risky film to make when it was released. The subject matter was extremely controversial for that time period. Today, the only people who care about a person's sexual orientation is ironically the same people that meet every week to preach how God loves everyone. So watching this movie 50 years later, it is hard to see how this could ever be seen as controversial. It does, however, hold up as a well made film on intolerance and a pretty powerful one at that. William Wyler made a risky choice to direct this movie and he did a really good job with making a movie with a theme of lesbianism under the strict guidelines of the time. The movie is about two teachers running an all girl school. There is a girl named Mary who is constantly in trouble and decides to tell he grandma a lie about the two teachers, in an attempt to not have to go back. When her grandma believes her, the rumor flies and soon all the girls are taken out of the school and the two women lives are totally destroyed. Never have I watched a movie and have hated and been more annoyed by a character as I was with this little Mary bitch. The child actress was perfect who played her too. She had an annoying little voice and was ugly as all he'll and when you add those things to an obnoxious and downright despicable little girl, you get a character that is really easy to hate. There's many wise casting decisions in this one though. The three leads are amazing. Audrey Hepburn and Shirley McClain as the two teachers and James Garner as one of the teachers fiancé. All three excel with the subject matter and are really good at getting the emotions of the characters across. The movie overall was really powerful, but the ending just cemented how powerful it was. For the time period, with how subtle they had to be with this subject; the movie was astonishingly well made.
Dean M

Originally this was a moderately well-received play by Lillian Hellman, which director William Wyler filmed in 1937 (as These Three). Not satisfied with his first attempt, Wyler directed this remake about When two teachers of girl's school, Martha Dobie… More
Originally this was a moderately well-received play by Lillian Hellman, which director William Wyler filmed in 1937 (as These Three). Not satisfied with his first attempt, Wyler directed this remake about When two teachers of girl's school, Martha Dobie (Shirley MacLaine) and Karen Wright (Audrey Hepburn), are accused of lesbianism, they're entire world comes crashing down. Karen loses the man she loves and so happens to have been engaged to for two long years, Joe (James Garner). Martha loses her life, basically, and everything that she's ever had. And this is all because of a vicious little brat that anyone with common sense wants to slap when they watch this movie, Mary Tilford (played by Karen Balkin). To say in the least, the end in completely unexpected. It makes you think that the world is over, and it takes time to adjust to the fact that this is "just a movie". Heart breaking and wonderfully filmed, the The Children's Hour is a terrific movie with outstanding actresses. Hepburn and MacLaine light up the screen!
Cindy I

This film really made an impression on me. Not just because it dealt with a lesbian relationship during a time when that sort of thing just wasn't talked about in Hollywood, but because of the lesbian character's (don't want to give anything away) revulsion to her own… More
This film really made an impression on me. Not just because it dealt with a lesbian relationship during a time when that sort of thing just wasn't talked about in Hollywood, but because of the lesbian character's (don't want to give anything away) revulsion to her own orientation. It must have been so difficult back than for someone to come out of the closet and not take a beating, both emotionally and sometimes physically as well, over it. And what's worse is that things haven't really changed all that much since 1961.
Stella D

a brave film for all involved, especially miss hepburn. always nice to see miriam hopkins, who also appeared in the hetero film version of hellman's play with merle oberon, these three. and shirley maclaine owns...
jay n

dated in its attitudes but with that taken into account a good film.
Leigh R

A great film in all aspects. Wonderful story.
Laura C

This is most definitely a "wow" film. The writing, direction and performances are outstanding. The film is based on a play by Lillian Hellman who wrote it upon hearing of 2 Scottish teachers were accused of lesbianism by a student and the subsequent destruction of their… More
This is most definitely a "wow" film. The writing, direction and performances are outstanding. The film is based on a play by Lillian Hellman who wrote it upon hearing of 2 Scottish teachers were accused of lesbianism by a student and the subsequent destruction of their lives. Beautifully shot in black and white, I appreciated the naturalistic style of shooting. I found myself enjoying many of the choices made, from the longer continuous shots, to the close-ups. The final two scenes are especially artistically done, not what I would expect from a film based on a play. For those of you who love Audrey Hepburn (as I know many do) this film does her talent, beauty and dignity justice. Shirley MacLaine got to display her burgeoning talent, her off-beat beauty and charm, They made quite a pairing. Brave and heartfelt, quite daring for its time, the film stays away from making a broad statement on discrimination and smartly focuses on a specific, devastating story.
Anastasia B

There was a time when even the allusion of homosexuality would drive a whole society to punish and marginalize people until they were irrevocably stripped of their self-respect. This film presents a painful reminder of these times of cruelty. William Wyler's stellar direction… More
There was a time when even the allusion of homosexuality would drive a whole society to punish and marginalize people until they were irrevocably stripped of their self-respect. This film presents a painful reminder of these times of cruelty. William Wyler's stellar direction forces Hepburn and MacLaine to give us some of their best dramatic performances. Karen Balkin (who never pursued a career in film) is perfect in the role of the child villain. The movie received 5 Oscar performances in its time and won two Laurel Awards for McLaine and Fay Bainter, an already acclaimed actress, who had a long and important career in early film and won an Oscar for her supporting performance in Jezebel (1938).
Sunil J

Really good dramatic performances all around.
Emily B

Really good film showing the destruction lies can cause. Shirley MacLaine's performance is particulary impressive.