The Children's Hour

Rather dull drama, too old-fashioned to be controversial--even at the time of this remake. Talky, stage-bound. . . and the little girl is too evil to be believed.

Greatness. Never did I want to punch a little girl so much...or an old lady. It's tragic what stupidity can do to innocent people and how it makes those whom it possesses look like utter cunts.

Never before have I seen such a clear example of a perfectly fine movie being derailed by one shitty, shitty performance. CHILDREN. UGH.

A good example of the types of films that were now possible after the relaxation of the Hays Code. Very well acted, especially MacLaine, and it really held an emotional resonance with me. I've never hated a child as much as I hated Mary. I'd like to see this film get a resurgence in the public eye, as it illustrates how bigotry and paranoia ruins lives, even though it focuses a bit too much on disproving the lies instead of confronting the truths.

A LGBT film that never says lesbian because of the time it was released. I bet some person watching this thinking, "the horrors of cancel culture!" I only watched this because of TCM, so consider me enlisted in the fight against David Zaslav. I am approaching Scorsese like Gimli saying, "and my axe!"

While inevitably somewhat dated, taken in historical context this remains a bold, daring take on the power of "false accusations", spotlighting a gallery of terrific performances, with Balkin's chilling portrait of casual vindictiveness stealing the film from her more seasoned co-stars; Bainter and MacLaine are the highlights of the senior cast, though Garner's sensitive playing of the "progressive" audience surrogate is notable. Well done and well wrought melodrama.

Bold, fascinating melodrama, hampered somewhat by the rough-around-the-edges dialogue and Garner and MacLaine's wobbly acting. The bratty little girl is iconically loathsome.

Very stupid and helpless on an artistic merit... But had that very subtexted, barely existing strike of t.a.t.u to it.

The acting is alright but what keep me lukewarm about this otherwise solid film adaptation from a stage play are its too highly pitched moments of hysterical over-emotional outburts, typical of old dramas. I find that almost intolerable. The subject matter was probably daring back then and, keeping in mind when it was made, it's treated as well as one could hope for.

It's not hard to see that this is based on a play. Just as this movie has a lot of the faults of a play, however, it also has a lot of the virtues. However unrealistic (perhaps the word is "antirealistic") some of it may be, the cast pulls it off with aplomb... and there's a lot of highly recognizable emotion on display, here. The humanity feels true, even if the way it is presented is not. It's also a good story of the awesome power of gossip

It gets over-dramatic sometimes, but I find it envolving. Maybe it's only because of Audrey, but what difference does it make anyhow...

Children - they're the worst!

A pretty good film that strikes me as more interesting than it might at first appear. I am particularly interested in the turn Martha takes near the end, one that would have people these days nodding along and saying, "I thought so," but also one that seems at least potentially subject to the strong power of communal pressure. How much of something about yourself does everyone have to say before you start to believe it? How important is community to individual identity?

Perhaps this was scandalous at the time; it's mostly boring now. It strains credulity to hear so many unintentional well-worded innuendos in a single conversation. (And, really, isn't that common slander among all kids who go to boarding school?) Don't get me started on the "libel" lawsuit that seems to have wrapped up within days of it being filed. I'm sure there's a moral in there somewhere. I guess I was just far too distracted to see what it was.

Good performances dealing with a taboo subject at the time. Not amazing but interesting and watchable. Fortunately social mores have moved on (in most places) since 1961.

I am watching this for the 2nd time after many years today, and I like it a lot better this time. So, this is the kind of film that can grow on you. It has that 1960s elegance, and the soapy melodrama that was done so well back then, with a stellar cast. Beautifully filmed, great cast, dialogue, score, and acting make this a great recommendation. You will find yourself yelling at the TV at some characters, and strongly identifying with others. This is one that pulls you in. Good movie.

A movie way ahead of its time.

holy shit i'm flabbergasted. did not expect it to be a masterpiece. such precious moments. funny moments. narrative. message. it's all there. 1961? kidding me? obviously it reflects it's time but man it gets so many things, important things, right; the old style is just lovely flavor. such a precious movie.

William Wyler made "These Three" in 1936; it's the same story with some changes to get past censorship issues. I like how he developed the first movie, and think it's too bad he didn't get to tell the story as written the first time.

I miss you

Would you people please raise your kids well? Really. Pretty please.

some lunatic asks Audrey 'don't be cute'. can you believe it? as if it is possible...

great acting, ahead of its time themewise

Ah, como as coisas eram difíceis!

89.000

87.250

SUCH A "PLAY"

Given the copyright dates of the film and its source material, a certain dearth of enlightenment is to be expected in the subtext, but the basic point of the work is noble and it's delivered with commendable restraint. Audrey Hepburn and Shirley MacLaine deliver fine work in the leading roles. As the paramour of Hepburn's character, James Garner is less distinguished, playing most scenes with the same tone of agitated exasperation.

Plodding little story of women being accused of 'lesbianism' which struggles to break free of the fifties mentality. Probably a stronger vehicle for Shirley MacLaine than Audrey Hepburn.

You can see that this movie is based on a play. Which isn't a bad thing. Excellent acting.