The Chalk Garden (1964)

Synopsis: Director Ronald Neame has made little effort to hide the stage origins of Enid Bagnold's play in this adaptation. It's not merely a case of filmed theatre, however, as John Michael Hayes's screenplay shifts the emphasis away from Edith Evans's dotty grandmother and Deborah Kerr's mysterious governess, placing it instead on the precocious teenager played with typical bravado by Hayley Mills.

With father John offering neat support as the family butler, this is a rather talkative acting showcase, while the Oscar-nominated Evans steals the limelight from the hesitant Kerr.

Cast: Hayley Mills, John Mills, Deborah Kerr.
Runtime: 95 min