MovieChat Forums > The Children's Hour (1961) Discussion > Martha's breakdown scene

Martha's breakdown scene

posted 21 years ago by centerstagehermy
35 replies | jump to latest

Even though it smacks of melodrama, I am so incredibly touched by how realistically Shirley MacLaine portrays the inside struggle of someone who realizes she is gay and doesn't want to be.

Her sobbing forces the tears out of me, even when I TRY to hold back. I was in that very position once upon a time. As a Christian, I didn't see it the way I do now. I felt I was being sinful and devious, just as she does in this movie, so I could relate to how she felt.

[–] bthcrlsol 21 years ago

I UNDERSTAND YOUR SITUATION AND YOUR VIEW OF MARTHA'S BREAKDOWN VERY WELL. I KNOW DISTINCTLY AND YOU ARE NOT ALONE OR WRONG OR BAD.

[–] marcusflute 20 years ago

That scene tore through me. I am gay too and Catholic and know exactly how she feels. At least I know I didn't choose it. Shirley is one of the best, if not the best actress in the world. I don't know how she didn't get a nomination for this one.

[–] jfulbright-1 20 years ago

It is an awful, sad scene. Just the line, "I feel so damned sick and dirty!"

Gosh, it just doesn't have to be like that. Makes me sob every time.

Actually, what makes me just weep every time I see it is that the actors really hadn't discussed just WHAT made Martha so "damned sick and dirty". They themselves weren't really sure. At that time, there were millions of gay people who thought exactly the same thing, and it saddens me that they got to watch her die in the end for having done nothing.

At one point, Martha talks about poeple who "choose it". What a radical statement for a film that never actually addresses its own subject matter. Contrast this with dreck like "Suddenly Last Summer," and you'll see what I mean.

[–] freefall79 20 years ago

for someone whose grown up in the liberal world of today toy realise how far we've come and sometimes it's scary what we take for granted. i know i do as everyone aroud me is supportive

Thunderbirds Aren't Slow

[–] ravengurl86 20 years ago

I also caught the part where she talks about people choosing homosexuality.

Having been raised in today's world, I didn't truly grasp how far gay people have come in the past 40 years until I watched this film. I'm only 18 years old, and although my coming out was very painful and frightening for me, I had it easy compared to those who went through it in the 50's and 60's.

I was brought up in a Christian household, and my mother never really mentioned much about homosexuality. When I did ask about it, or it happened to come up in a conversation, she simply said, "People like that are confused, sick individuals, and if they don't repent, they'll burn in hell." This literally scared me to death! So, when I started developing feelings for certain young ladies in elementary school, you can imagine what went on in my mind.

This film hit me right in my heart, and everytime I watch that scene where Martha confesses her love for Karen, and the grief she feels because of it, I almost break down with her. It was very difficult for me to watch it at first.

I <3 Audrey Hepburn *sigh*

[–] Shearer_Goddard_Russell 20 years ago

That was tough to endure. Especially when she like yells, "LISTEN TO ME!" at Karen and then blurts out that "I have loved you the way they say I do!" I don't pretend to know exactly how she felt, because I'm straight, but I was left wondering why she did NOT at least get nominated for that movie!!

"Attempt the impossible in order to improve your work." --Bette Davis

[–] 20 years ago

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[–] dissidenz 20 years ago

I consider MacLaine's catharsis as one of American cinema's milestones of truth, about acting, about life, about realism in the movies. I don't think you need to be gay to understand the search for truth, especially within yourself. When it finally comes to light, it's hard to be subtle or demure about it. What's really sad about that scene is that 44 years later, it's still difficult for many to live in truth from the beginning, without shame or guilt.

[–] yodelling_possum 20 years ago

This is an amazing scene. I have actually played Martha in the play. And I can tell you it can get very emotional. But, MACLAINE AND hEPBURN are amazing.

[–] RashomonLaStrada 19 years ago

the agonizing thing is you realize there were many people in the 40s and 50s who felt that way about themselves (and also in the 30s and 20s and in the 1800s and also today!) I just wanted to hug Martha and say "BE STRONG!"

People in metropolitan cities in the west at least have some role models today and some notion that it's possible to be gay or lesbian and live a full life. But there are still Marthas out there today. Be Strong!

[–] van_ferro 19 years ago

What Martha Dobie felt can be related by anyone, whether straight or gay, because that feeling shown by Martha can happen in a ny situation. It was guilt shown. It was a struggle too long kept in the dark and now that it has grown bigger, it is now a matter of do or death to finally win the struggle. I am also a Christian like you, but then, with the guilt that she had shown in losing the struggle, I also felt empathy for her, for I have also lost some struggles (definitely not being a gay) in my life, and her expression of guilt is just normal. It is very rare for an actress to project empathy to the viewers, and Shirley macLaine did her part so well that even after the movie, I still feel the genuine sympathy that I have felt when she broke down. That is an Academy-Award winning performance for me. Too bad, a sudden change of image in the part of Sophia Loren snatched it from her, and worst, she did not even get a nod from the Academy, givne the fact that her character was so well-developed in the film and the acting was not questionable.

All right Mr. de Mille, I'm ready for my close-up...
Regards, THE GODFATHER

[–] subjugated 19 years ago

The scene was beautiful. It is kind of agonizing. I get chills when she's at her most emotional... such as the "Listen to me!" line reference... And her somewhat detachment when she speaks about those who choose it... It's really quite beautiful. One of my favorite all-time scene in a movie.

sometimes you make me feel like i'm living at the edge of the world...

[–] ijonesiii 19 years ago

MacLaine was brilliant and heartbreaking in this scene.

[–] Louisville88 19 years ago

They were both great! There last minutes of screen time were brillant.