This is just a topflight movie in every way. Lillian Hellman was an unrepentant Stalinist Commie, but boy she could turn out a good script. (My favorite quote about Hellman is from her contemporary Mary McCarthy: "Every word out of her mouth is a lie, including 'and' and 'the' .") The movie is based on a very successful stage play but the movie never feels stagebound. I can't imagine a better cast - Audrey Hepburn, Shirley McClaine, James Garner, and Miriam Hopkins. Hopkins appeared in the original movie version of the play, These Three (1936) which Wyler also directed; in this version she takes a different role more befitting of actress 25 years older. Of especial note is Fay Bainter's portrayal of the vindictive Mrs. Tilford. Her accusatory scene is chilling; the scene of her atonement is heartbreaking. This is a gripping, must-see movie and I think the use of black and white is perfect for the material.
Review of The Children's Hour
