A Child Is Waiting

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

1963 • 102 min • Drama

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Synopsis

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.

Our family guide

Best from age 10

Movie Knight Score

64 reviews

69 Audience · 64 · 100%

A dedicated teacher joins a state institution for children with intellectual disabilities, where she challenges the doctor's strict methods. She forms a deep bond with a 12-year-old boy whose parents have abandoned him, learning about the children's needs and the challenges of their care.

Violence & peril: 1/10
Language: 1/10
Drinking, drugs & smoking: 0/10
Romance & sensuality: 1/10
Scary moments: 2/10

Heads up

Children may feel isolated
Disability presented through a 1960s lens

What it models well

Empathy and understanding
The value of education
Advocacy for the vulnerable

Talk about it after

Understanding intellectual disabilities
Importance of family support
Differing approaches to care

Written by the Movie Knight editorial team for A Child Is Waiting. Our own words, our own scoring — always double-check against your family's standards.