Child is Waiting

John Cassavetes's second effort as a studio director is an engrossing, sobering exposi of society's cruel prejudice toward children afflicted with mental retardation; the film focuses on an institution for those with Down's syndrome. A young boy, Reuben Widdicombe (Bruce Ritchey), arrives at the same time as Jean Hansen (Judy Garland), an inexperienced city transplant who has decided that she wants to help children. Immediately Reuben latches on to her, to the dismay of Dr. Matthew Clark (Burt Lancaster), the head of the institution. He feels that Jean's affections for Reuben will disturb the other children, prompting him to separate the pair. Convinced that a reunion with Reuben's parents (Gena Rowlands and Steven Hill) is important for the boy's mental health, Jean confronts them on this issue. Cassavetes stunningly uses actual disabled children to convey the reality of mental retardation, which gives the film a level of humanity and depth that actors could not re-create. He combines this with the perf...

Key Information
Stars		Burt Lancaster
Actors		Barbara Pepper, Bruce Ritchey, Elizabeth Wilson, Gena Rowlands, Judy Garland, Lawrence Tierney, Paul Stewart, Steven Hill
Available Formats		VHS
UPC		027616182432
Directors		John Cassavetes
Genre		Dramas
Subgenre		Tear Jerker • Mental Illness
MPAA Rating		Not Rated
Release Date		1963
Running Time		1hr 46min
Languages
Original Language		English
VHS Editions
VHS Editions		VHS1hr 42minFacets VideoNot Rated, VHS1hr 44minMovies UnlimitedNot Rated, VHS1hr 46minMGM Home EntertainmentApril 01, 1990Not Rated027616182432
Credits
Screenwriter		Abby Mann
Quotes from the Movie
Quotes from the Movie		"I like my work here, and that's the reason I'm doing it. The most unusual reason it seems these days for doing anything."--Dr. Matthew Clark (Burt Lancaster)