A Child Is Waiting

1963
Approved
1h 42m

IMDb RATING

7.2/10

3.5K

YOUR RATING

Psychologist Dr. Matthew Clark is the head of the Crawthorne State Training Institute, one of the first boarding schools for developmentally challenged children. Dr. Clark is sympathetic but demanding of his teachers and students. His approach of tough love is controversial. He takes a chance at hiring former aspiring concert pianist Jean Hansen as the school's music teacher, Miss Hansen who has no background in nursing, teaching or dealing with the developmentally challenged. She herself is trying to find her own place in life. She immediately bonds with autistic student Reuben Widdicombe, who she sees as needing special attention in light of his parents having not visited him since they enrolled him in the school two years earlier. The Widdicombes divorced shortly thereafter because of the pressures their relationship faced in dealing with Reuben. Dr. Clark sees Reuben as the type of child the most difficult with which to deal: Reuben understands just enough to realize that he is different and is often being rejected. Miss Hansen and Dr. Clark disagree on how best to get through to Reuben. Although Dr. Clark admits that his methods have not worked with Reuben, he also does not believe that Miss Hansen's approach of undivided attention is the answer. Through getting to know the Widdicombe's reasons for not visiting and she herself seeing the life of the adult disabled, Miss Hansen comes to an understanding of how she feels she can best help her students, Reuben included.

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Drama

A teacher and a psychologist work with children at an institute for the mentally-imparied.A teacher and a psychologist work with children at an institute for the mentally-imparied.A teacher and a psychologist work with children at an institute for the mentally-imparied.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.2/10

3.5K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 1 nomination

Lewis
(uncredited)

Fred Draper

Dr. Sack
(uncredited)

Mario Gallo

Dr. Ernie Lombardi
(uncredited)

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
Director John Cassavetes and Producer Stanley Kramer had many creative/economic differences and during the editing phase, Cassavetes was fired.

Goofs
Fourteen minutes in, the teacher asks "What time is it when the big hand is on the six and the little hand is on the twelve?" and a student answers "six o'clock" (which is incorrect), though when the camera pans to the blackboard, the big hand is on the twelve and the little hand is pointing to six (which is correct).

Quotes
Dr. Matthew Clark: I think you can find what you're looking for here, Miss Hansen. Because it's not what you can do for these children; it's what they can do for you.

Crazy credits
Following the last name in the cast list (Elizabeth Wilson) are the words "and The Children".

Alternate versions
The 1990 VHS has black and white versions of the MGM/UA Communications Co. and 1987 United Artists logos.

Connections
Featured in Edge of Outside (2006)

Soundtracks
Snowflakes
Written by Marjorie D. Kurtz
Performed Judy Garland

User reviews56

Review

Featured review

9/10

Very Moving

This was one of the most moving films I have ever seen. The cast is exceptional, the direction sure-footed and matter of fact, and the screenplay rarely pontificates. The inclusion of real handicapped children adds to the realistic atmosphere. Should be seen by everyone, especially young people. Judy Garland is perfect in one of her last roles.