[8]

Audrey Hepburn and Shirley MacLaine co-star as women running their own private girls’ school in The Children’s Hour. Hepburn’s character is about to get married to James Garner and MacLaine’s character is pretty melancholy about it. But all their lives are turned upside down when one of their young students, a particularly nasty little girl played with villainous spite by Karen Balkin, accuses the women of being lesbians. All the girls are taken out of the school and the women’s reputations are ruined. Garner tries to help them clear their good names, but MacLaine’s character drops another bombshell that shakes everything up all over again — she really is in love with Hepburn.

The Children’s Hour is pretty gripping stuff and certainly ahead of its time in daring to deal with controversial subject matter. Hepburn and MacLaine give enough ambiguity to their performances to keep you guessing how both of them really feel even after the credits roll. MacLaine has a stand-out moment when she finally lets loose with her same-sex feelings and self-loathing. Garner is his usual charming self here, a sympathetic shoulder to lean or cry on. But the most charismatic performances come from young Balkin — simply evil here! — and Fay Bainter (Oscar-winner for Jezebel) as her self-righteous grandmother. Veronica Cartwright (Alien) also appears as a tearful, nervous student being manipulated by the dastardly Balkin. Directed by William Wyler.

Oscar Nominations: Best Supporting Actress (Fay Bainter), Cinematography, Art Direction, Costume Design, Sound