I recently re-watched The Children's Hour (1961) starring Audrey Hepburn and Shirley MacLaine. I always find myself getting lost in the film every time I watch it. There isn't a lot of background music so the film is forced to rely on the dialogue, and boy do I love the dialogue. Both actresses do a phenomenal job in the film as well.

The subject matter was extremely controversial for its time, but the film is actually an adaptation from a stage play of the same name released in 1934. I read that the director had actually intended to add more to the film adaption to make it more controversial, but nixed the idea for fear of getting chewed out by the public. I never saw the stage play, but I get the feeling that the film transitioned well.

What's your favorite controversial film? What other films do you know of that started out on the stage? Did they transition well, or should they have stayed on Broadway?

Billy Wilder was a bit controversial for his time. I don't know about controversial films in general though. Easy Rider started a trend of sorts.

As to favorite films based on stage plays, way too many, my top three are Dial M for Murder, Twentieth Century, and Boeing Boeing.

-J.S.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Jesus Christ Superstar both started on stage and both were very controversial.


Phil

I forgot about Rocky Horror, though I've never seen Jesus Christ Superstar. Is it good?