THESE THREE ('36) is based on Lillian Hellman's groundbreaking Broadway play, The Children's Hour.

Fans of the source material may be amazed by this sanitized version, but it is in many ways considered more true to the spirit of the original than its more faithful 1961 remake.

The play centers on two school teachers who are falsely accused of being lesbians by a student. Any mention of homosexuality on stage was illegal in New York State but the play was such a success on Broadway that authorities overlooked its subject matter.

But the Production Code Administration's ban was stronger than any law. Producer Samuel Goldwyn was the sole bidder on the rights to the play. He was convinced to purchase them when Hellman argued that the play was really about the power of a lie.

William Wyler was hired to direct. Hellman wrote the screenplay changing the lie about the two school teachers being secret lovers into a rumor that one had spent the night with the other's fiance.

Even so, the Production Code Administration forbade Goldwyn to use the original title or publicize his purchase of the film rights.

Hellman titled her screenplay The Lie. It wasn't until after shooting was completed that the story department came up with the title These Three.

Wyler then went on to direct the more faithful version of the play in 1961, this time it was titled The Children's Hour.

Star of the Month Miriam Hopkins returned playing the aunt of the character she played in the '36 film.

See THESE THREE ('36) tonight at 11pm ET as we continue our Star of the Month celebration of Miriam Hopkins.