tlashop.com

Review

Wyler's compelling though stagey second treatment of Lillian Hellman's play (1936's These Three was the first) tells of the devastating effects of gossip and scandalous rumors about two women. Audrey Hepburn and Shirley MacLaine are teachers at an all-girls' boarding school. When a vindictive little girl accuses the two of having an affair, their lives (and their careers) are ruined after a self-righteous community believes the unsubstantiated allegations (shades of McCarthyism!). However, the rumor also forces MacLaine to come to terms with her closeted lesbian feelings. Attempting to right the wrong of his original film which was not allowed to discuss the theme of lesbianism, Wyler rather flimsily addresses it here. The film is marred by the dreadfully anti-lesbian ending - a must in this code-era film. The performances by Hepburn and MacLaine are competent, and James Garner and Miriam Hopkins also star.