A woman leaves her husband after the death of her child to teach deaf children how to speak. Her own child was deaf and although she has no formal training she successfully teaches one boy.
Acting
Jenny Agutter's stillness speaks volumes.
Score
1981 Disney strings that somehow work.
Direction
McEveety lets silence do the heavy lifting.
Director
Vincent McEveety
Jenny Agutter
Amy Medford
Barry Newman
Dr. Ben Corcoran
Kathleen Nolan
Helen Gibbs
Margaret O'Brien
Hazel Johnson
Nanette Fabray
Malvina
Frances Bay
Mrs. Lindey
Lance LeGault
Edgar Wanbuck
Lucille Benson
Rose Metcalf
Jonathan Daly
Clyde Pruett
Lonny Chapman
Virgil Goodloe
Brian Frishman
Melvin Grimes
Jane Daly
Molly Tribble
Dawn Jeffory
Caroline Chapman
Peggy McCay
Mrs. Grimes
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Nanette Fabray, who plays Malvina, was herself deaf in one ear and became a lifelong advocate for deaf education.
Released during a shift away from oralism toward ASL acceptance, the film's 'teaching speech' premise was already controversial — making its earnestness almost radical.
US
