The Children's Hour

(1961)

107 minutes

Drama

Directed by William Wyler

Cast:

Audrey Hepburn as Karen Wright
Shirley MacLaine as Martha Dobie
James Garner as Dr. Joe Cardin
Miriam Hopkins as Lily Mortar
Fay Bainter as Amelia Tilford
Karen Balkin as Mary Tilford
Veronica Cartwright as Rosalie Wells
Mimi Gibson as Evelyn
William Mims as Mr. Burton
Sally Brophy as Rosalie's mother
Hope Summers as Agatha

Karen Wright and Martha Dobie have been best friends since they were in college and now are owners to the boarding school of Wright and Dobie School for Girls of twenty girls. They have worked hard to make their school more successful. Problems arise when Karen becomes angry with Doctor Joe Cardin, who happens to be the nephew of the distinguished Mrs. Amelia Tilford. They also run into her lying and vindictive granddaughter, Mary who is reprimanded by Karen for not being honest. Martha has to deal with her snobby aunt Lily Mortar on why her niece was punished. Lily becomes infuriated with Martha and denounces Martha of having an irregular relationship with Karen. Mary's roommate Rosalie Wells and another girl overhear the conversation between Lily and Mary. She runs to Mary with the news and Mary tells her grandmother that Karen and Martha are lesbians, which leads to her parents finding out. They end up taking Mary out of the school.