These Three

Graduating from college, Karen (Merle Oberon) and Martha (Miriam Hopkins) open a school for young girls. Helped by local doctor Joe Cardin (Joel McCrea), they renovate a decrepit house that Karen owns. Karen and Joe fall in love. When local matriarch Mrs. Tilford (Alma Kruger) sends her granddaughter Mary (Bonita Granville) to the school, Karen and Martha's success seems certain. However, Mary is a spoiled child and congenital liar. When disciplined by Karen, Mary throws a fit, then runs away to complain to her grandmother. To bolster her complaint, Mary repeats what she overheard when Martha's aunt (Catherine Doucet) accused Martha of having an affair with Joe. Mrs. Tilford withdraws Mary from the school and informs the parents of the other girls--with disastrous results.

THESE THREE is a version of Lillian Hellman's controversial THE CHILDREN'S HOUR. Unable to use the play's lesbian theme, Hellman, who wrote the screenplay, made changes--even reversing the play's tragic end. However, the result is compelling. Director William Wyler and his great photographer, Gregg Toland (CITIZEN KANE), produce many of their trademark compositions, and Merle Oberon gives a moving performance as Karen.