The Children's Hour (1961)

7.8Approved107 minDirector: William Wyler

1961 film by William Wyler

The Children's Hour (released as The Loudest Whisper in the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand) is a 1961 American psychological drama produced and directed by William Wyler from a screenplay by John Michael Hayes, based on the 1934 play of the same title by Lillian Hellman. The film stars Audrey Hepburn, Shirley MacLaine, and James Garner, with Miriam Hopkins, Fay Bainter (in her final film role), and Karen Balkin.

In the film, two women open their own boarding school for girls. A female student overhears an argument about an "unnatural" relationship between the two partners, and then starts spreading tales about the duo being lesbian lovers. The women's reputation is consequently ruined by the slander.

Plot summary adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

FAQ

What is The Children's Hour about?
The Children's Hour (1961) — Karen Wright and Martha Dobie are best friends since college and they own the boarding school Wright and Dobie School for Girls with twenty students. They are working hard as headmistresses and teachers to grow the school and make it profitable. Karen is engaged with the local do
Is The Children's Hour based on a true story?
See the production background and source material details on the official Wikipedia article.
Is The Children's Hour scary?
Content rating: Approved. See the reviews tab for parental guidance and tone notes.