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A Child Is Waiting

Burt Lancaster & Judy Garland take an untouched theme - and make it touching and unforgettable!

1963 · 1h 42m · Approved Drama
Directed by John Cassavetes

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Overview

Dr. Matthew Clark is the head of a state institution for intellectually disabled children. Jean Hansen, a former music teacher anxious to give her life some meaning, joins the staff of the hospital. Jean, who tries to shelter the children with her love, suspiciously regards Dr. Clark's stern training methods. She becomes emotionally involved with 12-year-old Reuben Widdicombe, who has been abandoned by his divorced parents.

Director and cast

Critics on Rotten Tomatoes

Top critics, in their words

All reviews
92%
Tomatometer
Fresh

Burt Lancaster delivers a firm, sincere, persuasive and unaffected performance.

Variety Staff, Variety
Fresh

Flawed but fascinating.

Geoff Andrew, Time Out
Fresh

One should learn a great deal from this picture -- all of which should be helpful and give hope.

Bosley Crowther, New York Times
Rotten

John Cassavetes takes a shot at straight commercial filmmaking (1963), and the results are a little wide of the mark.

Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

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