Lillian Hellman is an American Icon. A woman ahead of her time, in every department. Her women are never easy to read but they are real. From the icy Regina in "The Little Foxes" to the sisters of "Toys In The Attic" - Jane Fonda played her, brilliantly, in "Julia", Here, her women walked a slightly edgier plane."The Children's Hours" was a big Broadway success and William Wyler, one of the best, directed the film version as "These Three" in the 1930's, washing away any reference to homosexuality. I think that may be one of the reasons why he remade it in 1961 under its original title "The Children's Hour" Audrey Hepburn, Shirley MacLaine, James Garner, Fay Bainter and Miriam Hopkins who also was in the original in Shirley MacLaine's part. The film is compelling and looks wonderful and I think it's more a document of its day by one of the most courageous writers of her day. The strange thing here is that the women are the ones who remain firmly in their day, they show us the outrage from their perspective and that's why it feels "dated" They would behave very differently today but not the rich southerners. I believe, they would also remove their children from the school. just like they did then. The oppressed have move on but the oppressors, have diminished in numbers, but they havent changed much. A fascinating film.

Fay Bainter was nominated for an Oscar as Best Actress in a Supporting Role, an award that she had won in 1938 for Jezebel. It was also nice to see Miriam Hopkins here, since she HAD previously played the part of Martha in the 1936 movie, These Three based on the same stage play. After the production code had been lifted in the early 1960s, William Wyler and Lillian Hellman were able to re-do the movie, which was more faithful to the original Hellman stage play.This is about two young women, Karen (Audrey Hepburn) and Martha (Shirley MacLain), who run a private school for girls. Martha's silly and careless Aunt Lily (Miriam Hopkins) is also a teacher at the school. One day, Mary, a vindictive student at the school oversees Karin consoling Martha (with a hug and a kiss on the cheek). Later, Mary's friend overhears Aunt Lily make an offhand judgment about Martha being 'unnatural.' Mary's wild, overly precocious imagination INSTANTLY concludes that they are lovers! (The word, 'lesbians' is not used in the movie, but what else are two women lovers?) When Mary whispers this idea to her influential grandmother (Fay Bainter), she believes it and tells other parents. They remove their girls from the school. When one of Mary's 'friends' tries to set the record straight, Mary blackmails her into remaining quiet.In the end, ALL the major characters suffer some loss from the girls' lies and rumors. The final scene also shows that they are all socially isolated from each other. Karen's boyfriend, played by James Garner, is essential to the story; but his role is never well developed. He mainly serves as another 'victim' of this essentially all-female created scandal. At the very end of the movie, the very long tracking shot of Audrey Hepburn defiantly walking past a large group of people, as they look on, is very powerful and memorable.This movie is WAY too preposterous to be believable. But, as with other movies about evil children—like The Bad Seed and The Nanny—it seems to have had a curious entertainment value during that decade. But at the time, the social scandal of an implied lesbian relationship, and its wake of victims, was also important in the movie's overall shock effect.

The Children's HourThe best way to keep your lesbian relationship secret is by telling everyone you're sisters.The lovers in this drama, however, choose to deny their passions outright.When a spiteful private school student spreads rumors that her teachers, Martha (Shirley MacLaine) and Karen (Audrey Hepburn), are lesbians, she puts Karen's engagement to Joe (James Garner) as well as both women's careers in jeopardy.As the validity of the allegations is scrutinized by the faculty so too do both women explore their own feelings for each other. But the shame for one is too much to bear.One of the first, and few, Hollywood movies to discuss homosexuality, this 1961 film adaptation of the infamous play is a well-acted think piece that cunningly expounds on the dangers of gossip.Besides, the best way to tell if a female teacher is a possible lesbian is by having them teach a gym class.Yellow Lightvidiotreviews.blogspot.ca

I have never been a fan of Audrey Hepburn. Not saying I disliked her work...more I could take it or leave it, depending on the film. Not an actress that would lead me to the theater just because she was in a film.I generally dislike almost any performance by Miriam Hopkins. The one possible exception was when she starred with Bette Davis.I never cared for James Garner, either in the films or on television.Three strikes like that would typically make me simply not attend a film, or turn off the television. But I have watched this film several times, and am always fascinated with it.Audrey Hepburn is brilliant here; mostly an understated performance, and just perfect. Shirley MacLaine is not in a league with Hepburn here, but her performance is very good. James Garner is nigh on perfect in his part as the doctor and fiancé. Miriam Hopkins turns in a dead-on portrayal of a washed up actress and relative whose bitchiness precipitates the crisis.And special mention should be made of the performance by the wonderful Fay Bainter. Sometimes when this film is on TCM, I'll record it and just flip through her scenes. Possibly the best of her career, though certainly not the most lovable. Are you considering going to acting school. Don't bother. Just watch the pro steal every scene she's in...in fact, watch her steal the whole film! A lot has been made of the performances by the two key children actors here. I agree with those who feel that young Karen Balkin's performance was over the top. But, she was a young child. I'll have to criticize Willim Wyler (director) for that. On the other hand, Veronica Cartwright, was perfect as the child-victim.I don't want one to think that based on my last paragraph that William Wyler didn't direct a good film here. One error in judgment shouldn't be taken as an overall criticism. I can count an even 10 films of his that I personally revere (including this one), including his finest -- "Ben Hur".We shouldn't finish without almost praising author Lillian Hellman. Just another of Hellman's brilliant, though dark, masterpieces.This is a movie no serious film-goer should miss.