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A Child Is Waiting (1963)

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Average Rating: 7/10
Reviews Counted: 10
Fresh: 9 | Rotten: 1

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Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 3
Fresh: 2 | Rotten: 1

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Average Rating: 3.5/5
User Ratings: 1,034

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Movie Info

Produced by Stanley Kramer, A Child is Waiting is set in an institution for the mentally handicapped, with many actual residents playing supporting and bit roles. Doctor Burt Lancaster and instructor Judy Garland often find themselves at odds over teaching methods, with Garland preferring an intense one-on-one approach with her students. Bruce Ritchey, a non-developmentally challenged youth, plays the retarded son of Gena Rowlands and Steven Hill, whose intellectual and social progress becomes

Unrated, 1 hr. 45 min.

Drama, Classics

Directed By: John Cassavetes

Written By: Abby Mann

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1963 Wide

Cast

Burt Lancaster
Dr. Matthew Clark
Judy Garland
Jean Hansen
Gena Rowlands
Sophie Widdicombe
Steven Hill
Ted Widdicombe
Bruce Ritchey
Reuben Widdicombe
Gloria McGehee
Mattie
Paul Stewart
Goodman
Lawrence Tierney
Douglas Benham
Elizabeth Wilson
Miss Fogarty
Barbara Pepper
Miss Brown
June Walker
Mrs. McDonald
Mario Gallo
Dr. Lombardi
Frederick Draper
Dr. Sack
Brian Corcoran
John Marley
Holland
Bill Mumy
Butch Patrick
Noam Pitlik
John Walker

Critic Reviews for A Child Is Waiting

All Critics (10) | Top Critics (3) | Fresh (9) | Rotten (1) | DVD (1)

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

November 7, 2007 Full Review Source: Variety

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Variety Staff

Variety

Top Critic

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

May 10, 2005 Full Review Source: New York Times

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Bosley Crowther

New York Times

Top Critic

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

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Chicago Reader

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Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

Top Critic

This film draws from the social stance of a Stanley Kramer and the institutional approach of a Frederick Wiseman and rises above their judgmental attitudes to produce a wonderfully provocative and sympathetic film.

August 30, 2006 Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide

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TV Guide's Movie Guide

The film ran into trouble with Cassavetes's attempt to bring his unconventional improvisational style to the shoot.

July 6, 2006 Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews

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Dennis Schwartz

Ozus' World Movie Reviews

Flawed but fascinating.

June 24, 2006 Full Review Source: Time Out

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Geoff Andrew

Time Out

Garland is moving in rare dramatic role.

June 12, 2005 Comment

Steve Crum

Kansas City Kansan Source: Kansas City Kansan

Taken away from Cassavetes by not very nice producer Kramer for some Hollywood-style re-editing, this is nevertheless clearly the work of one of cinema's greatest talents.

May 24, 2003 Full Review Source: Film4

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Film4

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Audience Reviews for A Child Is Waiting

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well intentioned and earnest, but keeps you at a distance

April 4, 2007

jay nixon

Super Reviewer

i couldn't really believe this was john cassavetes. it doesn't look like his work at all. definitely glad i watched it on ifc at six in the morning though.

July 25, 2009

Brock Snyder

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