A Child Is Waiting

John Cassavetes directs a sobering expose of society's prejudice toward mentally challenged children. Jean Hansen (Judy Garland) is an experienced city transplant who takes a job at a Down 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), the head of the institution. He feels that Jean's affection for Reuben will disturb the other children, prompting him to separate the pair.