Journal Entry #17

The Children's Hour

Movie:  1961, b/w, 107min.

• Director: William Wyler
• Actors: Shirley MacLaine, Audrey Hepburn, James Garner

Two women work in a school for young girls, they are best friends and love their jobs. Soon one of the students causes an uproar with what another girl says she heard and the two best friends are being pushed apart by the community all the while trying to remain as close as ever. 

What are some of the inferences that make the two women different? 

Karen Wright's character is represented as the nice teacher, more kind and subtle about the way she punishes the students. She literally differs, with dark hair, dark eyes etc... While Martha Dobie is a sandy blonde, with light eyes and more harsh. She punishes the kids in a strict, unsympathetic manner. Karen dresses more conservatively, she wears darker clothing and has a man in her life while Martha wears looser clothing, lighter clothing and hasn't ever had a boyfriend. Both of them are attractive young women who happen to be best friends but Karen is a more serene, peaceful gal whereas Martha is nervous, paranoid and irritable. 

What does Wyler do with the editing that gives it dramatic effect? 

Some things that Wyler does to edit the film and give it a boost in the drama area is the lighting. It is very dark and the contrast very high, almost film noir-ish. He uses this to portrait each character in a dramatic way, usually paired with a lamp, or the light of a window etc... Another tool he uses is the sound, he edits the sound in such a way that any argument leaves the audience on pins and needles, edge of the seat. It's a bit like a thriller in that sense. The screeching in both the accuser's voice and Martha's voice is so high and in such a shriek that one cannot help but be terrified.