History Theatre / TheChildrensHour

The original stage production, starring Katherine Emery and Anne Revere, ran from 1934–36; during that time the play was blocked from being staged in both [[BannedInChina Boston]] and Chicago due to its content. A {{revival}}, directed by Lillian Hellman herself and starring Creator/KimHunter and Creator/PatriciaNeal, played from December 1952 to May 1953 at New York's Coronet Theatre. Two other revivals have existed since: a 2008 one in Manchester and a 2011 one in London. In 1971 Creator/TheBBC produced a radio adaptation of the play for its ''Saturday Night Theatre'' series.[[note]]Speaking of The BBC, this is not to be confused with their long-running ''Children's Hour'' programme, which ran from 1922 to 1964.[[/note]]

''The Children's Hour'' was adapted for the screen twice by director Creator/WilliamWyler. The first film version was a bowdlerized adaptation called ''These Three'', starring Creator/MerleOberon, Creator/MiriamHopkins, and Creator/JoelMcCrea and released in 1936. The second version, which starred Creator/AudreyHepburn, Creator/ShirleyMacLaine, and Creator/JamesGarner, was subject to less censorship by the time it came out in 1961.

The original stage production, starring Katherine Emery and Anne Revere, ran from 1934–36; during that time the play was blocked from being staged in both [[BannedInChina Boston]] and Chicago due to its content. A {{revival}}, directed by Lillian Hellman herself and starring Creator/KimHunter and Creator/PatriciaNeal, played from December 1952 to May 1953 at New York's Coronet Theatre. Two other revivals have existed since: a 2008 one in Manchester and a 2011 one in London. In 1971 Creator/TheBBC produced a radio adaptation of the play for its ''Saturday Night Theatre'' series.

Speaking of The BBC, this is not to be confused with their long-running ''Children's Hour'' programme, which ran from 1922 to 1964.

* AdaptationalExplanation: Mrs. Tilford helps the Wright-Dobie school get started because she knew Karen’s late grandmother well and, having just taken Mary out of her old school, decides to have Mary go to the Wright-Dobie school.

* LighterAndSofter: The movie has more comedic elements, particularly in the material not adapted from the play, in which Karen and Martha meet Joe, and Joe and Karen’s relationship develops. And [[spoiler: no one dies.]]

* UnrelatedInTheAdaptation: Joe Cardin is not related to the Tilfords at all in this movie, while in the play he’s Amelia Tilford’s nephew.
* WouldHurtAChild: Martha is accused of this. Mary accuses Martha of hurting Rosalie’s arm when she caught Rosalie eavesdropping on her and Mrs. Mortar. In reality, Martha had accidentally shut the door on Rosalie’s arm, while Mary later twisted Rosalie’s sore arm to make her go along with her lies.

The story concerns Karen Wright and Martha Dobie, best friends who are also headmistresses of a private girls' school in [[HollywoodNewEngland New England]]. Martha's ex-actress and narcissist aunt Mrs. Lily Mortar acts as an elocution and vocal teacher at the school, though she spends most of her time lecturing, showing off, and telling stories about the golden days. They couldn't be happier, especially with Karen about to wed her longtime gynecologist boyfriend, Dr. Joe Cardin.

* CallingParentsByTheirName: Joe refers to his grandmother by name. He's not particularly fond of her.

The original stage production, starring Katherine Emery and Anne Revere, ran from 1934–36; during that time the play was blocked from being staged in both [[BannedInBoston Boston]] and Chicago due to its content. A {{revival}}, directed by Lillian Hellman herself and starring Creator/KimHunter and Creator/PatriciaNeal, played from December 1952 to May 1953 at New York's Coronet Theatre. Two other revivals have existed since: a 2008 one in Manchester and a 2011 one in London. In 1971 Creator/TheBBC produced a radio adaptation of the play for its ''Saturday Night Theatre'' series.

One day, however, the school's resident bad seed, Mary Tilford, decides to extract revenge on Karen by spreading gossip that Karen and Martha are carrying on a love affair. Her grandmother, the town matriarch, leads the charge against the two, resulting in nearly all students getting pulled from school. Karen and Martha sue the Tilfords for libel; yet, even if they win, they really won't be "victorious."

* ConsummateLiar: Mary lies frequently has has no qualms about it.

* EnfanteTerrible: Mary Tilford is bratty, spoiled, and frequently lies. She kept on trying to lie even after ruining her teachers reputations and leaving them jobless.

* HaveAGayOldTime: Martha's aunt refers to her single night theatrical performances as "one night stands".

* TheShowMustGoOn: Lily mentions how she once saved one of her acting buddies who had a heart-attack on stage. She also mentions her friend ''didn't miss a line'' even during the heart attack.

* SecondActBreakup: Surprisingly subverted. After the TimeSkip of the second act Karen sends Joe away but they don't reunite in the third act.

* TriangRelations: Joe and Karen are in a relationship, with Martha attracted to Karen in a platonic way. [[spoiler:...as it later turns out, not so platonic after all.]]

The original stage production, starring Katherine Emery and Anne Revere, ran from 1934–36; during that time the play was blocked from being staged in both [[BannedInBoston Boston]] and Chicago due to its content. A {{revival}}, directed by Lillian Hellman herself and starring Kim Hunter and Creator/PatriciaNeal, played from December 1952 to May 1953 at New York's Coronet Theatre. Two other revivals have existed since: a 2008 one in Manchester and a 2011 one in London. In 1971 Creator/TheBBC produced a radio adaptation of the play for its ''Saturday Night Theatre'' series.

[[folder:The play provides examples of]]

[[folder:The 1936 movie adaptation adds examples of]]

[[folder:The 1961 movie adaptation adds examples of]]

The original stage production, starring Katherine Emery and Anne Revere, ran from 1934–36; during that time the play was blocked from being staged in both [[BannedInBoston Boston]] and Chicago due to its content. A {{revival}}, directed by Lillian Hellman herself and starring Kim Hunter and Creator/PatriciaNeal, played from December 1952 to May 1953 at New York's Coronet Theatre. Two other revivals have existed since: a 2008 one in Manchester and a 2011 one in London. In 1971 the BBC produced a radio adaptation of the play for its ''Saturday Night Theatre'' series.

The original stage production, starring Katherine Emery and Anne Revere, ran from 1934–36; during that time the play was blocked from being staged in both Boston and Chicago due to its content. A {{revival}}, directed by Lillian Hellman herself and starring Kim Hunter and Creator/PatriciaNeal, played from December 1952 to May 1953 at New York's Coronet Theatre. Two other revivals have existed since: a 2008 one in Manchester and a 2011 one in London. In 1971 the BBC produced a radio adaptation of the play for its ''Saturday Night Theatre'' series.

One day, however, the school's resident bad seed, Mary Tilford, decides to extract revenge on Karen by spreading gossip that Karen and Martha are involved in a love affair. Her grandmother, the town matriarch, leads the charge against the two, resulting in nearly all students getting pulled from school. Karen and Martha sue the Tilfords for libel; yet, even if they win, they really won't be "victorious."

The story concerns Karen Wright and Martha Dobie, best friends who are also headmistresses of a private girls' school in [[HollywoodNewEngland New England]]. Martha's ex-actress and narcissist aunt Mrs. Lily Mortar acts as an elocution and vocal teacher at the school, though she spends most of her time lecturing, showing off, and telling stories about the golden days. They couldn't be happier, especially with Karen about to wed her longtime gynecologist boyfriend, Joe Cardin.

A classic ([[ValuesDissonance and, at the time, highly controversial]]) 1934 play that was the debut work of Creator/LillianHellman.

* RemakeCameo: Miriam Hopkins played Lily Mortar, after having played her niece Martha in the 1936 version.

The story concerns Karen Wright and Martha Dobie, best friends who are also headmistresses of a private girls' school in [[HollywoodNewEngland New England]]. Martha's ex-actress and narcissist aunt Mrs. Lily Mortar acts as an elocution and vocal teacher at the school, though she spends most of her time lecturing, showing off, and telling stories about the golden days. They couldn't be happier, especially with Karen about to wed her longtime gynecologist boyfriend, Joe.

[[caption-width-right:300:Karen (Creator/AudreyHepburn) and Martha (Creator/ShirleyMaclaine) in ''The Children's Hour'' (1961)]]

''The Children's Hour'' was adapted for the screen twice by director Creator/WilliamWyler. The first film version was a bowdlerized adaptation called ''These Three'', starring Merle Oberon, Creator/MiriamHopkins, and Creator/JoelMcCrea and released in 1936. The second version, which starred Creator/AudreyHepburn, Creator/ShirleyMacLaine, and Creator/JamesGarner, was subject to less censorship by the time it came out in 1961.

'''Martha''': He's doing all right.

[[caption-width-right:300:Karen (Creator/AudreyHepburn) and Martha (Creator/ShirleyMaclaine) in the 60s adaptation]]

[[quoteright:300:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/these_three_oberon_hopkins.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:300:Karen (Creator/MerleOberon) and Martha (Creator/MiriamHopkins) in ''These Three'']]

A classic ([[ValuesDissonance and, at the time, very much controversial]]) 1934 play that was the debut work of Creator/LillianHellman, ''The Children's Hour'' was adapted for the screen twice by director Creator/WilliamWyler. The first version was a bowdlerized adaptation called ''These Three'', starring Creator/MiriamHopkins, Creator/MerleOberon, Creator/JoelMccrea and released in 1936. The second version, starring Creator/ShirleyMacLaine and Creator/AudreyHepburn, was subject to less censorship by the time it came out in 1961.

The story of the play concerns Karen Wright and Martha Dobie, best friends who are also headmistresses of a private girls' school in [[HollywoodNewEngland New England]]. Martha's ex-actress and narcissist aunt Mrs. Lily Mortar acts as an elocution and vocal teacher at the school, though she spends most of her time lecturing, showing off, and telling stories about the golden days. They couldn't be happier, especially with Karen about to wed her longtime gynecologist boyfriend, Joe.

The original production ran from 1934-1936. In 1934 and 1936 the play was blocked from being played in both Boston and Chicago due to its content. A {{revival}}, directed by Lillian Hellman herself, played from December 1952-May 1953 in the Coronet Theatre. Two other revivals have existed since: a 2008 one in Manchester and a 2011 one in London. In 1971 the BBC produced a radio adaptation of the play for its ''Saturday Night Theatre'' series.

* AdaptationalContextChange: The plot of ''These Three'' is censored due to UsefulNotes/TheHaysCode. In the original play the accusation is Martha and Karen [[MistakenForGay are a couple]], and Karen is [[YourCheatingHeart cheating]] on her fiancee. In the 1936 version it's assumed Martha and ''Joe'' are cheating. Thus many of Joe's lines are given to Karen, and his anxiety over the concept of his girlfriend cheating on him is transferred to her. The climax and ending are completely different. Instead of [[spoiler:Joe leaving Karen]] it is [[spoiler:Karen who didn't believe Joe]]. The dialogue afterwards between Karen and Martha is considerably less dramatic [[spoiler:as Martha is calmly confessing her unrequited feelings for Joe instead of giving a {{gayngst}} filled AnguishedDeclarationOfLove to Karen]]. The ending is a BittersweetEnding [[spoiler:where Karen and Joe reunite but the reputation of their school remains ruined]] instead of the DownerEnding of the play [[spoiler:where Martha [[DrivenToSuicide killed herself]] and Karen and Joe stay separated.]]

A classic ([[ValuesDissonance and, at the time, very much controversial]]) 1934 play that was the debut work of Creator/LillianHellman, ''The Children's Hour'' was adapted for the screen twice by director William Wyler. The first version was a bowdlerized adaptation called ''These Three'', starring Creator/MiriamHopkins and Creator/MerleOberon, and released in 1936. The second version, starring Creator/ShirleyMacLaine and Creator/AudreyHepburn, was subject to less censorship by the time it came out in 1961.

* DownerEnding: Martha's and Karen's reputations are forever ruined by a rumor a child started, neither can be teachers again, and they're a well-known court case throughout America. Karen's fiance dumps her, Martha has unrequited feelings toward Karen, and to top it all off she kills herself at the end; in the play though she kills herself before Mary's grandmother comes over.

The story of the play concerns Karen Wright and Martha Dobie, best friends who are also headmistresses of a private girl's school in [[HollywoodNewEngland New England]]. Martha's ex-actress and narcissist aunt Mrs. Lily Mortar acts as an elocution and vocal teacher at the school, though she spends most of her time lecturing, showing off, and telling stories about the golden days. They couldn't be happier, especially with Karen about to wed her longtime gynecologist boyfriend, Joe.

[[folde:The 1961 movie adaptation adds examples of]]