Based on the 1934 play by Lillian Hellman, "The Children's Hour" is set at an exclusive girl's school managed by best friends Karen (Audrey Hepburn) and Martha (Shirley MacLaine). When student Karen Balkin is punished for one of her many misdeeds, the mean-spirited youngster rushes to her wealthy aunt, and, randomly choosing a phrase she has undoubtedly read in some magazine, accuses Hepburn and MacLaine of having an "unnatural relationship." The consequences are tragic.