These Three (1936)

User Rating:

7.9/10   

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:

Student | Scandal | School | Love Triangle | Teacher

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:

Because of the lesbian theme of the play, the Hays office refused to allow the original title to be used, nor any mention of it onscreen or in publicity materials. Hence, Lillian Hellman is credited only for original story and screenplay.

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)

A chilling look at what a lie can do

"These Three" is an extremely effective look at the damage a lie can cause. Bonita Granville gives a tour-de-force performance as Mary Tilford, a vicious student who ruins the lives of her two schoolteachers (Merle Oberon and Miriam Hopkins) by telling a lie about their private lives. Based on a play by Lillian Hellman (whose original plot dealt with lesbianism, which was changed for the film version to get past the censors), "These Three" is still a very good film. Miriam Hopkins also stands out as one of the victimized teachers. All in all, one well-acted and well-directed drama.