The Children's Hour (1961 film)
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| The Children's Hour | |
|---|---|
 Original film poster |
|
| Directed by | William Wyler |
| Produced by | Associate producer: Robert Wyler Producer: William Wyler |
| Written by | Play: Lillian Hellman Adaption: Lillian Hellman Screenplay: John Michael Hayes |
| Starring | Audrey Hepburn Shirley MacLaine James Garner Miriam Hopkins Fay Bainter |
| Music by | Alex North |
| Cinematography | Franz Planer |
| Editing by | Robert Swink |
| Distributed by | RKO Radio Pictures |
| Release date(s) | December 19, 1961 |
| Running time | 107 min. |
| Country |  |
| Language | English |
| Budget | US$ 3,600,000 |
| All Movie Guide profile | |
| IMDb profile | |
The Children's Hour is a 1961 film based on the play of the same name written by Lillian Hellman. This version, directed by William Wyler, stars Audrey Hepburn, Shirley MacLaine, and James Garner in the leading roles.
[edit] Production
The play was originally filmed under the title These Three in 1936 but the strictures of the Production Code resulted in an adaptation of the story into a conventional heterosexual love triangle. By 1961 the Code allowed for the alleged lesbian affair between Hepburn's and MacLaine's characters but references to it were allusionary and non-specific. In interviews for the documentary The Celluloid Closet Shirley MacLaine said she and Hepburn never talked about their characters' alleged lesbianism. She also claimed Wyler cut some scenes hinting at her character's love for Hepburn because of concerns about press reaction to the film.
The movie was James Garner's first film after suing Warner Bros. to leave the television series Maverick and break into movies. Wyler broke an unspoken blacklist by hiring Garner and the actor appeared steadily in films and television shows over the following decades.
Miriam Hopkins, playing aunt Lily Mortar, had starred as Martha Dobie in the 1936 screen adaption of the play.
[edit] Excerpt
Martha: There's always been something wrong. Always, just as long as I can remember. But I never knew what it was until all this happened.
Karen: Stop it Martha! Stop this crazy talk!
Martha: You're afraid of hearing it, but I'm more afraid than you.
Karen: I won't listen to you!
Martha: No! You've got to know. I've got to tell you. I can't keep it to myself any longer. I'm guilty!
Karen: You're guilty of nothing!
[edit] External links
Feature films: Dutch in Seven Lessons (1948) • Laughter in Paradise (1951) • Young Wives' Tale (1951) • One Wild Oat (1951) • The Lavender Hill Mob (1951) • Monte Carlo Baby (1951) • We Will All Go to Monte Carlo (1952) • The Secret People (1952) • Roman Holiday (1953) • Sabrina (1954) • War and Peace (1956) • Funny Face (1957) • Love in the Afternoon (1957) • Green Mansions (1959) • The Nun's Story (1959) • The Unforgiven (1960) • Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961) • The Children's Hour (1961) • Charade (1963) • Paris, When It Sizzles (1964) • My Fair Lady (1964) • How to Steal a Million (1966) • Two For The Road (1967) • Wait Until Dark (1967) • Robin and Marian (1976) • Bloodline (1979) • They All Laughed (1981) • Always (1989) (cameo)
Television: Mayerling (1957) • Love Among Thieves (1987) • Gardens of the World with Audrey Hepburn (1993)
