A Child Is Waiting (United Artists, 1963). Lobby Card #3  (11" X 14"). Drama. Directed by John Cassavetes, Produced by Stanley Kramer. Starring Judy Garland, Burt Lancaster, Gene Rowlands and Bruce Ritchey. Keywords: development, mental illness, mental institution, son, teacher, mental patient. Has only the occasional slight edge wear or small printing blemish in the border. The Garland portrait card is a superb shot of her in profile. Near Mint

Cast:

Burt Lancaster
Gena Rowlands
Judy Garland
Steven Hill
Bruce Ritchey
Gloria McGehee
Paul Stewart
Elizabeth Wilson
Barbara Pepper
John Marley
June Walker
Mario Gallo
Fred Draper
Lawrence Tierney

• Director:

John Cassavetes

• Producer: Stanley Kramer

The third directing effort by the great John Cassavetes (Husbands) is an engrossing, sobering expose of society's cruel prejudice toward mentally challenged children. Jean Hansen (Judy Garland, Judgment at Nuremberg) is an experienced city transplant who takes a job at a Down's syndrome institution and befriends Reuben, one of the boys afflicted with the disease. Reuben latches on to Jean, to the dismay of Dr. Matthew Clark (Burt Lancaster, Elmer Gantry), the head of the institution. He feels that Jean's affection for Reuben will disturb the other children, prompting him to separate the pair. Cassavetes stunningly uses actual disabled children to convey the reality of these disabilities, gives the film a level of humanity and unflinching depth that resonates long after the final credits have rolled. The great Gena Rowlands (Gloria) and Steven Hill (Storm Fear) lead the supporting cast that includes Paul Stewart (Kiss Me Deadly), Lawrence Tierney (Reservoir Dogs), Elizabeth Wilson (The Graduate) and John Marley (Faces). Produced by Stanley Kramer, whose career was producing and direction social conscious films.