Someone - most likely Ross Hunter, expert producer of Hollywood `glossies' - has put a soft centre of sticky sentimentality in the bitter almonds of Enid Bagnold's play about a teenage girl who lives in a world of lies because she lacks love and understanding. As the girl, Hayley Mills gestures a lot but sounds unconvinced by the dialogue. Edith Evans gives a brilliant portrayal of the possessive old lady with no more ability to give love to the girl than life to the plants in her garden of chalk. It's a performance as impressive close-up as it is at long range. Deborah Kerr and John Mills round out the cast.

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