The Chalk Garden

"A girl on the verge of womanhood... a woman on the edge of loneliness... both suspicious of affection, yet starved for love."

May 21 1964 Approved 1h 46m
Drama, Mystery

The peculiar antics of Laurel, an emotionally troubled young girl, are the focus of The Chalk Garden – a stately household drama set on the cliffs of the English south coast. Edith Evans plays a matriarchal grandmother who, in raising her granddaughter, has neglected her other love – a barren chalk garden. Mayhem ensues as Laurel's behavior frightens away a succession of governesses until an enigmatic one is hired in spite of her mysterious references. She skillfully sets about tending to the girl's reckless emotions and the pitifully failed garden.

Plot

A grandmother (Dame Edith Evans) seeks a governess for her sixteen-year-old granddaughter, Laurel (Hayley Mills), who manages to drive away everyone so far by exposing her past, with a record of three in one week. When an applicant with a mysterious past manages to get the job, Laurel vows to expose her. Meanwhile, Laurel's mother Olivia (Elizabeth Sellars) tries to get her back.

Written by

John Michael Hayes, Enid Bagnold

Directed by

Ronald Neame

Cast

Deborah Kerr, Hayley Mills, John Mills

Crew

View crew

Production Countries

United States of America, United Kingdom

Production Companies

Universal Pictures, Ross Hunter Productions

Languages

English

Awards

Nominated for 1 Oscar. 3 wins & 6 nominations total

Trailers
The Chalk Garden (1964) Original Trailer [FHD]
Scores
# of Votes
2,768
Average Rating
7.2 out of 10
Metascore
61
Popularity
NA