Original and Remake: These Three

September's Original and Remake is These Three. It is based on the stage play by Lillian Hellman. There have been two big screen adapations of this play, These Three (1936) and The Children's Hour (1961). 

These Three (1936)

Directed By: William Wyler

Starring: Merle Oberon, Miriam Hopkins, Joel McCrea

Running Time: 93 Minutes

The Children's Hour (1961)

Directed By: William Wyler

Starring: Audrey Hepburn, Shirley MacLaine, James Garner

Running Time: 109 Minutes

Both of these versions have strong acting, particularly by the ladies. The Children's Hour sticks more to the stage play. In These Three the rumor that spreads by a malicious schoolgirl is Joe (McCrea) is seeing both Karen (Oberon) and Martha (Hopkins) Joe is seen leaving Martha's bedroom late one night. These Three was made when the Hays Production Code was established meaning films couldn't contain suggestive nature. These Three shows different scenes from The Children's Hour as in the courtroom scene, which is interesting, it shows the characters being shamed in front of the entire courtroom and how they were harassed by the public. It would have been interesting to see a scene like this in the remake. However, in the remake we do see Martha and Karen being shamed by the locals in town as they drive by the school and make rude remarks. While the words gay or lesbian are never said it's completely clear what's going on. As I stated at the beginning the ladies in the cast are all strong standouts, however, so are the girls, Bonita Granville plays Mary in the original (she's also known for the Nancy Drew mysteries she made) and Karen Balkin plays Mary in the remake. Both girls play the malicious schoolgirl well but I think that Karen Balkin plays her a little more meaner. I also want to add that Miriam Hopkins returns in the remake playing Martha's (MacLaine) aunt Lily. Lillian Hellman wrote the script for These Three and it's not a bad movie, there's good acting and the three leads have chemistry, but The Children's Hour is my pick as it sticks closer to the stage play and subject matter. 

Until Next Time,

Ashley A.