In 1934, Lillian Hellman wrote "The Children's Hour" as a stage play. Two years later it was decided to make the story into a film...but there were 2 problems in doing so, both related to the moral standards allowed in film at that time -- lesbianism and suicide.
And so, today, one has 2 great choices -- this film or "The Children's' Hour".
In this film, the 2 most controversial topics are sanitized. There is no suicide...the character just goes away. There is no lesbianism, instead, that theme is replaced by a heterosexual triangle.
In "The Children's' Hour", the lesbianism is central to the plot, and one main character does commit suicide.
In both films, the leading players are excellent. Here, the 2 female leads are superb -- Miriam Hopkins and Merle Oberon. In fact, their performances here are among the best, if not the best, of their respective careers. The male lead here is Joel McCrea, before his switch to almost all Westerns, and he is excellent, as well, although there are other films where he is even better. In "The Children's Hour" the female leads are Shirley MacLaine and Audrey Hepburn, and they are just as superb, thought it's over 2 decades later. The male lead in "The Children's' Hour" is James Garner, in one of his better roles.
If one film is better than the other, my vote would go to "The Children's' Hour", and I would say because of the strength of the supporting players. In this film, Alma Kruger is really fine as the grandmother of the girl brat who spreads evil rumors. But, her performance is eclipsed by a stunning performance by Fay Bainter. Similarly, the brat here is played by Bonita Granville, while a better performance is turned in by Karen Balkin.
One of the most interesting factors in comparing this film and "The Children's' Hour" is that where Miriam Hopkins is one of the female leads in this film, in the latter film she plays the part of the aunt and aging actress (which in this film is played by Catherine Doucet. Miriam Hopkins's film career suffered greatly in later years, but in this film she was in full tilt.
I really encourage every lover of film to view both versions of the story. Both are excellent and worth a spot on your DVD shelf.
And so, today, one has 2 great choices -- this film or "The Children's' Hour".
In this film, the 2 most controversial topics are sanitized. There is no suicide...the character just goes away. There is no lesbianism, instead, that theme is replaced by a heterosexual triangle.
In "The Children's' Hour", the lesbianism is central to the plot, and one main character does commit suicide.
In both films, the leading players are excellent. Here, the 2 female leads are superb -- Miriam Hopkins and Merle Oberon. In fact, their performances here are among the best, if not the best, of their respective careers. The male lead here is Joel McCrea, before his switch to almost all Westerns, and he is excellent, as well, although there are other films where he is even better. In "The Children's Hour" the female leads are Shirley MacLaine and Audrey Hepburn, and they are just as superb, thought it's over 2 decades later. The male lead in "The Children's' Hour" is James Garner, in one of his better roles.
If one film is better than the other, my vote would go to "The Children's' Hour", and I would say because of the strength of the supporting players. In this film, Alma Kruger is really fine as the grandmother of the girl brat who spreads evil rumors. But, her performance is eclipsed by a stunning performance by Fay Bainter. Similarly, the brat here is played by Bonita Granville, while a better performance is turned in by Karen Balkin.
One of the most interesting factors in comparing this film and "The Children's' Hour" is that where Miriam Hopkins is one of the female leads in this film, in the latter film she plays the part of the aunt and aging actress (which in this film is played by Catherine Doucet. Miriam Hopkins's film career suffered greatly in later years, but in this film she was in full tilt.
I really encourage every lover of film to view both versions of the story. Both are excellent and worth a spot on your DVD shelf.