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The Chalk Garden ()

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An elderly woman hires a governess with a mysterious past to look after her disturbed, spoiled teenage granddaughter, who eventually understands the meaning of self-sacrifice as an example of love and grows into a better person.
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Awards:
  • Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 3 wins & 5 nominations.
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Photos and Videos

56 photos | 1 video

Cast verified as complete

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Miss Madrigal
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Laurel
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Maitland
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Mrs. St. Maugham
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Judge McWhirrey
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Olivia
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Anna
Toke Townley ...
Shop Clerk
Tonie MacMillan ...
Mrs. Williams

Directed by

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Ronald Neame

Written by

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John Michael Hayes ... (screenplay)
 
Enid Bagnold ... (play)

Produced by

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Ross Hunter ... producer

Music by

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Malcolm Arnold

Cinematography by

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Arthur Ibbetson ... director of photography

Editing by

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Jack Harris

Art Direction by

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Carmen Dillon

Set Decoration by

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John Jarvis

Costume Design by

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Julie Harris

Makeup Department

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Gordon Bond ... hair stylist
Ernest Gasser ... makeup artist

Production Management

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Harold Buck ... production manager
Edward Muhl ... executive in charge of production

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director

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Basil Rayburn ... assistant director

Art Department

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W. Edwards ... props (uncredited)
Ellen Parish ... property buyer (uncredited)
Tony Woollard ... chief draughtsman (uncredited)

Sound Department

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Jim Shields ... sound editor (as James Shields)
Gerry Turner ... sound
A.W. Watkins ... sound
Maurice Askew ... dubbing mixer (uncredited)
Lionel Strutt ... re-recording mixer (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department

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Paul Wilson ... camera operator
David Cadwallader ... grip (uncredited)
Terry Cole ... focus puller: second unit (uncredited)
Freddie Cooper ... focus puller (uncredited)
Dennis Fraser ... grip (uncredited)
Skeets Kelly ... director of photography: second unit (uncredited)
Pat Newman ... grip (uncredited)
Fred Petty ... supervising electrician (uncredited)

Costume and Wardrobe Department

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Maude Churchill ... wardrobe supervisor (uncredited)

Music Department

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Malcolm Arnold ... conductor

Script and Continuity Department

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Pamela Davies ... continuity

Additional Crew

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Arthur Davey ... production accountant (uncredited)
Maurice Landsberger ... assistant accountant (uncredited)
Crew verified as complete

Production Companies

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Distributors

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Special Effects

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Other Companies

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Storyline

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Plot Summary

A grandmother (Dame Edith Evans) seeks a governess for her 16-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 Nasser

Plot Keywords
Taglines Hayley's a Rebel With a Streak of Imp! See more »
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Parents Guide Add content advisory for parents »
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Additional Details

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Also Known As
  • Mystère sur la falaise (France)
  • Mujer sin pasado (Spain)
  • Mystère sur la falaise (Canada, French title)
  • Kireçli Bahçe (Turkey, Turkish title)
  • Меловой сад (Soviet Union, Russian title)
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Runtime
  • 106 min
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Language
Color
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Filming Locations

Did You Know?

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Trivia Gladys Cooper was originally named to play the role of Mrs. St. Maugham (which was eventually played by Dame Edith Evans). Evans, who had originally played the role on stage, very much wanted the movie role and had director Ronald Neame take her to meet producer Ross Hunter at Claridges Hotel. As Evans won the producer over, she got the part. See more »
Goofs The wall clock in the kitchen where Laurel, Miss Madrigal, and Maitland discuss the judge's visit changes from 9:30 to 6:30 between shots. See more »
Movie Connections Referenced in Louis Armstrong (2) (1964). See more »
Quotes [last lines]
Mrs. St. Maugham: [on the verge of tears] Is it a crime to want to be remembered?
Miss Madrigal: No. The Pharaohs built the pyramids for that reason.
Mrs. St. Maugham: What do women do in my case?
Miss Madrigal: It wouldn't hurt to go on gardening.
Mrs. St. Maugham: Have I've a muddle of my garden... and my heart? Will Olivia forgive me?
Miss Madrigal: In time, perhaps.
Mrs. St. Maugham: Would you stay with me? Would you?
Miss Madrigal: I'll stay... as long as I'm wanted. You know, we could make this place so full of life - a good life - and people would come from everywhere to see us. What do you think?
Mrs. St. Maugham: I must know one thing.
Miss Madrigal: What's that?
Mrs. St. Maugham: Did you do it?
Miss Madrigal: What many learned men at the top of their profession couldn't find out after a long, long trial. Why should you know.
Mrs. St. Maugham: Forty years ago, I should have said the same thing, but I warn you, before I die, I'll find out.
[the two walk off together]
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