These Three (1936)

Director:

William Wyler

Writer:

Lillian Hellman (story)

Release Date:

18 March 1936 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Plot:

This first film version of "The Children's Hour" uses a heterosexual triangle rather than the play's lesbian theme...

Plot Keywords:

School | Student | Teacher | Doctor | Scandal

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar.

Cast

Miriam Hopkins	...	Martha Dobie
Merle Oberon	...	Karen Wright
Joel McCrea	...	Dr. Joseph "Joe" Cardin
Catherine Doucet	...	Mrs. Lily Mortar (as Catharine Doucet)
Alma Kruger	...	Mrs. Amelia Tilford
Bonita Granville	...	Mary Tilford
Marcia Mae Jones	...	Rosalie Wells
Carmencita Johnson	...	Evelyn
Mary Anne Durkin	...	Joyce Walton (as Mary Ann Durkin)
Margaret Hamilton	...	Agatha--Maid
Walter Brennan	...	Taxi Driver

Also Known As:

The Children's Hour (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

93 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | German | French | Latin

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Wide Range Noiseless Recording)

Certification:

Finland:K-16 | USA:Approved (PCA #2003) | USA:Passed (National Board of Review)

Filming Locations:

Franklin Canyon, Santa Monica Mountains, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Samuel Goldwyn Company, The

Trivia:

Lillian Hellman was satisfied with changes she had to make in the play for the film, since she felt the central issue of the play was the malicious result of the gossip rather than the gossip itself.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: Before Mrs. Tilford's maid slaps Mary (Bonita Granville) in one of the final scenes of the film, she grabs the girl and says, "Bonita, come here."

Quotes:

Dr. Joseph 'Joe' Cardin: When three people come to you with their lives spread out on a table for you to cut to pieces, then the only honest thing for you to do is to give them a chance to come out whole.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Rescued from the Closet (2001) (V)

Spellbinding performances and timeless situations.

Bonita Granville, in a remarkable performance, spreads vicious gossip and malicious rumors while never losing the affect of childhood innocence. Hopkins is 100% believable as the defiant teacher on the spot and Oberon complements her lead with a rather understated performance. Alma Kruger is wonderful as Granville's mother. In an amusing irony, the teachers finally find peace and self-respect in 1936 Germany !!! Nevertheless, this is an excellent film all around.