The Children's Hour
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Movie Reviews of The Children's Hour
Movie Review: Three Great Performances
Summary: 5 Stars
It's not often that a director has an opportunity to remake his own film but with "The Children's Hour" (1962) William Wyler got a second crack at Lillian Hellman play about Martha and Karen, two schoolteachers (Shirley MacLaine and Audrey Hepburn) who are harmed by a resentful student.
His first attempt was "These Three" (1936) and Hellman's lesbian elements were completely ignored. Not that they are dealt with that forthrightly in the remake but at least they get some attention. Interestingly Marian Hopkins, who plays MacLaine's aunt in the 1962 version, had MacLaine's role in the original. That film really belonged to child actors Bonita Granville (the original "Nancy Drew") and Marcia Mae Jones.
There were actually three (not two) exceptional performances in "The Children's Hour". MacLaine and Fay Bainter are always mentioned in discussions about the film, but Veronica Cartwright's performance as the kelpto blackmail victim (Jones' part in the original) tends to get overlooked, simply because it was a smaller part and because she was a child actor. But Wyler really gets a stunning performance out of her; in what was probably the most challenging role in the whole production. Cartwright had considerably more acting for the camera experience (and innate talent) than Karen Balkin (who played Mary) and she is able to really showcase her skills in the scenes they have together.
The film concerns two unmarried teachers who run a select school for wealthy pre-teen girls. Hepburn has been engaged to Joe, a local doctor (James Garner here-Joel McCrea in the original), for two years but has been evasive about setting a date for the marriage ceremony.
When the school's only behavior problem, Mary (Karen Balkin in a somewhat one dimensional performance that will have you wishing for Granville but was probably what Wyler wanted this time around) is punished, she gets even by making scandalous accusations about the two teachers. These are compounded by the ill-advised remarks of Martha's aunt. Led by Mary's grandmother (Bainter) the whole town turns against the pair, Joe being the lone holdout.
As the events play out Martha must eventually confront the fact that she is in love with Karen. Although "These Three" had a somewhat upbeat ending such is not the case with the 1962 version which at first glance seems to be saying that once you come out there is no option but suicide. Yet on closer examination you realize that Wyler has tacked on an almost expressionistic ending to his otherwise realistic film (note the off-kilter shots of Karen running toward the house and the shadow of Martha's body on the wall of her room). This stylistic change is to be read as an allegorical statement; that when a society banishes and ostracizes those who might deviate from normal convention, it denies such individuals a useful and productive place within its structure (metaphorically the right to exist).
Then again, what do I know? I'm only a child.
Movie Review: Devastating Drama
Summary: 5 Stars
Written and first staged in the 1930s, THE CHILDREN'S HOUR was master playwright Lillian Helman's first great success. It also provoked a scandal: the story concerned two women who run a school for girls--and who suffer scandal and personal tragedy when an unruly student accuses them of having a lesbian affair. The play was such a success that Hollywood wasted little time in buying the film rights, but the material was too hot for the 1930s film industry; the story was significantly rewritten into a fairly insipid love-triangle melodrama and was released under the title THESE THREE. It would be another thirty years before American film was ready to tackle the play head on.Many critics have noted that THE CHILDREN'S HOUR is not about lesbianism, but about the power of a lie. There is some truth to this, for the entire plot rests on the child's lie and its devasting effect. But Helman was not a superficial writer: once the knife goes in, she twists it several times, first in a series of emotional revelations between the leading characters and finally in a portrait of society that attacks any one perceived as different in any way--even to the point of driving them to death. Some complain that this is merely another Hollywood stereotype in which the gay character has to be punished by the film's conclusion, but I disagree; if anything, Helman's point remains as unfortunately valid today as it was in the 1930s and again in the 1960s.
The cast ranges from solid to exceptional, and the supporting cast is exceptionally fine. Fay Bainter and Mirian Hopkins, both legendary actresses, give truly memorable performances in supporting roles; child actresses Karen Balkin and Veronica Cartwright also give remarkably powerful performances. And Audrey Hepburn and James Garner are rock solid as school teacher Karen Wright and her beau Dr. Cardin. But the raw power of the film comes from Shirley MacLaine, who gives one of the most inspired performances of her career as school teacher Martha Dobie. In this case superlatives are not enough: no one who sees the film will easily forget her tortured, passionate performance. Director William Wyler tells the story with great simplicity and to tremendous effect. Strongly recommended.
Movie Review: Incredible Film, FIVE STARS
Summary: 5 Stars
Whenever one hears the name Audrey Hepburn, they often think of Sabrina, My Fair Lady, or Breakfast At Tiffany's. THIS film is one of Hepburn's greatest, and even as one of her biggest fans, I never heard of this movie...until I saw it at blockbuster. At first, my mom didn't want me to see it. She claimed that the themes were too mature and about "women loving women." About a month or two later, I saw The Hours. I think I was ready for this 1961 movie.
I began The Children's Hour automatically thinking that Audrey Hepburn would be my favorite character. I was wrong. I'd never seen Shirley MacLaine in a film before, and now, not only do I suspect that she's Renee Zellweger's mother, but I believe she is an amazing actress of the screen.
I was also quite impressed with the performance of Veronica Cartwright, who played Rosalie (is she the sister of Nancy Cartwright, who played Brigita or someone in the Sound of Music?? they look exactly alike!!). The girl who played Mary was also a good little actress, I was just bugged by her "confused" and "scared" looks. They cracked me up, because they were so bad.
Sure, it's kinda cheesy that since they can't say the word "lesbian" on screen they have to whisper it, or say it behind a door or something. But that's what you have to respect. Nowadays, you can just SAY something in a movie, and everyone knows what you're talking about. Back then, there were certain words that couldn't be said. Words that you had to express through acting. And Shirley MacLaine did an unbelievable job at it.
Fay Bainter was nominated for her role as the evil grandma (not really evil; mary is, but whatever). What I want to know is why Shirley MacLaine didn't get nominated!! She was excellent!! Amazing!! Her performance blew me away and had me sobbing SO hard at the end of the movie!! (WAAAAAAAH!!!)
Shocking, twisted, captivating and an unbelievable achievement for one of Hollywood's very first movies about lesbians, The Children's Hour is something you really don't want to miss.
Movie Review: I hear a sympathy
Summary: 5 Stars
Like much of the lesbian pulp fiction of the 1950s, "The Children's Hour" comes from that era when homosexuality was considered the "worst evil of all." I'm not sure if William Wyler meant to or not, but in this film the director finds a surprising sympathy for his main character Martha. Despite its emphasis on the supposed lesbianism of the two leads, "The Children's Hour" is not really a story about being gay. Instead it focuses (or tries to) on how one bad little girl can ruin two adults's lives forever simply by opening her mouth.
With relative restraint rather than melodrama, Wyler illustrates the power of a child's words. A student at the boarding school "Karen" (Audrey Hepburn) and "Martha" (Shirley MacLaine) run, "Mary" (Karen Balkin) spreads malicious rumors (are there any other kind?). On the surface these rumors aren't true, but as things progress and Karen and Martha interact in their strong friendship and professional partnership, we see that Martha may indeed have "unnatural" feelings for her best friend.
Things reach a fevered pitch as Mary's grandmother takes action and decides Karen and Martha are not to fit to run a school for young girls. Legal action is taken, careers are destroyed and a friendship that once was fun and light-hearted is now fraught with tension.
I don't like to reveal endings to movies, so I won't do that here. All I WILL say is that Shirley MacLaine gives the performance of her life as she unravels emotionally, devastated at what is happening around and inside her. Filmed during a time when gays and lesbians were treated as criminals and freaks, "The Children's Hour" is not as harsh as it could have been. Some people would probably call Wyler's film unfashionably dated, but the sad truth is it's coming back in style now that we are slowly returning to an era that demonizes gays and lesbians and won't let them have a happy ending.
Movie Review: Powerful, Intense Drama
Summary: 5 Stars
I have seen this film on television three times now. I just watched it a while ago on TCM. It had been years since I had seen it. It affected and moved me deeply as it did the first, and second time I saw it. I appreciate and love this film more and more each time I see it. Now I am going to order the DVD. It has now become one of my favorite films. I am disappointed that this film has almost nothing in the way of extras, which it should. I would love to see Ms. MacLaine being interviewed about it, and would love blow by blow commentary on it also. I have always been a huge fan of hers. This film has one of her best performance ever. Also good are Audrey Hepburn, James Garner and the rest of the supporting cast including the children. I had forgot Veronica Cartwright (Angela's sister) was in it. She is excellent as well as the brat who spreads the vicious rumors. This is the type of film to watch when you are in the mood for some very intense drama as it is not the type of film to watch when you just want to be entertained and forget about real life. This is some heavy duty stuff that will get you emotionally involved and move you deeply. It was indeed very, very daring for it's time. I have seen the earlier version also, which is also a good film but this one is so much better. As many reviewers have pointed out the main focus of this film is how lies and innuendos can have a devastating affect on peoples lives. The secondary focus is how people reacted to lesbianism way back then, which for many today, especially among conservatives, has changed very little. I hated the way the film had to end, yet it still tore me up inside and I had to fight breaking down and sobbing. My only complaint is that how quickly Shirley MacLaine does what she does is not exactly believable. It just happens way too fast. This film is highly recommended by me and many others. A great film that is a "must see." It should've got several oscar awards.