The Children's Hour (film)

The Children's Hour
Theatrical release poster
Directed byWilliam Wyler
Screenplay byJohn Michael Hayes
Adaptation byLillian Hellman
Based onThe Children's Hour
by Lillian Hellman
Produced byWilliam Wyler
Starring
CinematographyFranz F. Planer
Edited byRobert Swink
Music byAlex North
Production
company
Distributed byUnited Artists
Release date
  • December 19, 1961 (1961-12-19)
Running time
107 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$3.6 million
Box office$3 million or $1.8 million (US/Canada rentals)

The Children's Hour (released as The Loudest Whisper in the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand) is a 1961 American psychological drama produced and directed by William Wyler from a screenplay by John Michael Hayes, based on the 1934 play of the same title by Lillian Hellman. The film stars Audrey Hepburn, Shirley MacLaine, and James Garner, with Miriam Hopkins, Fay Bainter (in her final film role), and Karen Balkin.

In the film, two women open their own boarding school for girls. A female student overhears an argument about an "unnatural" relationship between the two partners, and then starts spreading tales about the duo being lesbian lovers. The women's reputation is consequently ruined by the slander.