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).

meadever It took me a while to come to this film, as it's really not well-known or extensively talked about. I love old movies, and have for years, but my first exposure to this work didn't come until college, when I saw a scene from it performed in an acting class. I found the scene mesmerising, but didn't know that the play had been turned into a movie until a few years later, when I read about it in a biography of Audrey Hepburn. I was able to find it on a streaming service and immediately settled in to watch it. My thought having finally seen it is simply this; I cannot believe how little notice this movie seems to get. It's progressive, it's affecting, it's haunting. It's everything that makes a movie memorable. Audrey Hepburn, one of the most ethereal and chic actresses in history, is totally believable as the rather dowdy, down to earth, content co-headmistress at the boarding school where the story takes place. She's truly convincing as an every-woman. Just someone who is swept up in the gossip of a small town, but who, aside from that, would have a very ordinary life. Shirley MacLaine is just as believable as Martha, the more abrasive, restless of the two friends. She is able to subtly convey emotions like jealousy and anger, emotions that are all too easy to overplay on screen and stage. Both of them play their characters so well that it makes the relationship between them seem all the more authentic. You really do start to feel that these are two women who have been friends for years and have a close and comfortable repartee with one another. Of course, let's not overlook the supporting cast. The child actresses are all wonderful, not seeming to try too hard. Karen Balkin makes Mary, the girl who starts the rumours that drive the plot, all too easy to despise. The older actresses who play Martha's aunt and Mary's grandmother, also present a wonderful portrait of women from another generation, who are dealing with the issue at hand in the only ways they know how to. But the major standout in the supporting cast is James Garner as Karen's fiancé, Joe. I've seen his emotional depth in things like "The Notebook", but this role takes it to the next level. He really commits to what he is doing, and he just breaks your heart as you see him lose his veneer of calm collectedness when he realises that there are some things he simply can't control. The camera work is simple and basic, befitting a story like this one, and it's really the performers and story that make this a classic. It's a plot that isn't afraid to deal with a taboo issue in what was, for that time, a very frank way. It's one of those films that transports you, and it takes a couple of viewings of "Irma la Douce" or "Sabrina" afterward to remind you that these were characters, not real people. To me, the best films are the ones that create the world for you and flesh it out so well that it feels real, whether that be a fantastical world, or another version of the one we know. This film is a prime example of that being done right. It is still beautiful and relevant today, and should be counted as among the best performances of all involved.

Paulo_Clemente Karen (Audrey Hepburn) and Martha (Shirley MacLaine) run a girl's school. Joe (James Garner) is the fiancé of Karen and keeps trying to marry her while she's putting the school ahead of their plans. When they have to punish a trouble girl she runs away and blackmailing another girl starts a lie about both teacher's.What can I say , this is a very good movie to watch, a lot of emotions, the power of a lie can destroy almost everything. Great acting , Audrey Hepburn and Shirley MacLaine give great performances but all the acting is good even the girls are very good. Great drama movie.I believe that was not an easy theme to make a movie on the 60's, Shirley said that even the director was not at ease with it, some scenes where cut, like both woman brushing each others hair. On the end you must thins how easy is to spread a lie and for most of the people to believe it.

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.