The love that dare not speak its name until halfway through the third act

THE CHILDREN'S HOUR

1961

Directed by William Wyler

Written by John Michael Hayes (based on the play by Lillian Hellman)

THESE THREE

1936

Directed by William Wyler

Written by Lillian Hellman (based on her play The Children's Hour)

Spoiler alert: moderate, maybe high

Chinese finger cuffs

DESIGN FOR LIVING

Daring, unconventional, and full of light and life, Design For Living might just be my favorite romantic comedy.

1933
Directed by Ernst Lubitsch
Written by Ben Hecht ("based" on the play by Noel Coward)
With Miriam Hopkins (Gilda Farrel), Gary Cooper (George Curtis), Fredric March (Tom Chambers), and Edward Everett Horton (Max Plunkett)

Spoiler alert: severe