Close friends Martha and Karen build a private boarding school together with the aid of the local doctor Joe. The school takes off and many students enroll, one of whom is a trouble-maker who tells a scandalous lie that threatens to destroy the trio's lives.
Based on Lillian Hellman's controversial play 'The Children's Hour,' the film centers on Martha and Karen, two teachers at a girls' boarding school. When a malicious student spreads rumors of lesbianism between the two women, their lives and the school's reputation are shattered. They must confront the devastating impact of lies and innuendo on their personal and professional lives, leading to tragic consequences.
Despite facing significant censorship due to its subject matter, 'These Three' was a critical and commercial success. Critics praised its powerful performances, tight direction, and sensitive handling of a difficult topic for its time. Audiences were captivated by the dramatic intensity and emotional depth.
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Nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Score.
The original play, 'The Children's Hour,' directly addressed lesbianism, but the film adaptation by Samuel Goldwyn and director William Wyler altered the accusation to a heterosexual affair to bypass the Hays Code's strict censorship regarding homosexuality.
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