John Cassavetes directs, Judy Garland and Burt Lancaster in this truly amazing film about children who are mentally challenged and the obstacles everyone has to face in their worlds. Jean Hansen a former teacher is hired by Dr. Clark to teach music to mentally challenged children. Jean is not happy with Dr. Clarks stern methods of working with the children, and she eventually becomes emotionally attached to Reuben Whiddicombe an autistic child who has been abandon by his parents. Dr. Clark realizes this, and forbids Jean from working directly with Reuben, fearing that it will cause jealousy between the children.
When Jean threatens to leave, Dr. Clark suggests that she should continue her preparations for a Thanksgiving show in which all the children will perform. On the day of the show Reubens father comes to transfer his son to a private school. But when he hears Reuben haltingly recite a poem, following which the audience breaks into applause, he realizes that the boy can and must stand-alone.