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Burt Lancaster, Judy Garland, Gena Rowlands, Steven Hill, Bruce Ritchey ... see more see more... , Gloria McGehee , Paul Stewart , Lawrence Tierney , Elizabeth Wilson , Barbara Pepper , June Walker , Mario Gallo , Frederick Draper , Brian Corcoran , John Marley , Bill Mumy , Butch Patrick , Noam Pitlik , John Walker

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 ... read more read more...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 the focal point of the film. The most uplifting sequence in A Child is Waiting takes place during a play staged by the genuinely handicapped children for their parents; while director John Cassavetes gilds the lily with close-ups of the teary-eyed audience, the kids themselves are earnest, engaging, and totally devoid of self-pity. According to Stanley Kramer, Judy Garland left her best work in this film on the cutting room floor; whenever completing a scene in which she'd exercised professional restraint, she'd insist upon a retake, then resort to the sobbing and breast-beating that her fans had come to expect. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Flixster Users

68% liked it

1,044 ratings

Critics

90% liked it

10 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 45 min.

Directed by: John Cassavetes

Release Date: January 1, 1963

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Stats: 57 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (57)

  • jjnxn
    April 4, 2007
    jjnxn
    well intentioned and earnest, but keeps you at a distance
  • brocksssssnyder
    July 25, 2009
    brocksssssnyder
    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.

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Critic Reviews

Variety Staff
November 7, 2007
Variety Staff, Variety

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

Bosley Crowther
May 10, 2005
Bosley Crowther, New York Times

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

Dave Kehr
January 1, 2000
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

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

August 30, 2006
TV Guide's Movie Guide

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 sym... Full Review

Dennis Schwartz
July 6, 2006
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

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

Geoff Andrew
June 24, 2006
Geoff Andrew, Time Out

Flawed but fascinating. Full Review

Steve Crum
June 12, 2005
Steve Crum, Kansas City Kansan

Garland is moving in rare dramatic role.

May 24, 2003
Film4

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. Full Review

Emanuel Levy
June 19, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

Daniel M. Kimmel
April 30, 2004
Daniel M. Kimmel, Worcester Telegram & Gazette

No review available.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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  • A contentedly jobless wanderer decides to focus his energies on reconnecting with the girl he loved as a child, who is now a Hollywood actress.  Answer »
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