The White Unicorn | |
Director: |
|
Producer: | Harold Huth |
Screenplay: | Moie Charles A. R. Rawlinson Robert Westerby |
Based On: | novel The Milk-White Unicorn by Flora Sandström[1] |
Starring: | Margaret Lockwood Joan Greenwood Ian Hunter Dennis Price |
Music: | Bretton Byrd |
Cinematography: | Reginald H. Wyer |
Editing: | Robert Johnson |
Studio: | John Corfield Productions |
Runtime: | 97 minutes |
Country: | United Kingdom |
Language: | English |
Budget: | £150,000 (approx)[2] |
The White Unicorn is a 1947 British drama film directed by Bernard Knowles and starring Margaret Lockwood, Joan Greenwood, Ian Hunter and Dennis Price.[3] Kyra Vayne appeared as the singer. It was made at Walton Studios by the independent producer John Corfield, and released by General Film Distributors. The film's sets were designed by Norman G. Arnold.[3] It was also known as Milkwhite Unicorn and Bad Sister (its title in the US).[4]
At a home for delinquent girls, a troublesome girl, swaps reminiscences with the warden, who recounts her own unhappy marriage, divorce and tragic death of her second husband.[5]
In December 1946 Phyllis Calvert was scheduled to play the lead.[6]
Filming began in March 1947.[7] The film was made at Nettleford Studios.[8] It was used to help build up Joan Greenwood who Rank were trying to make a star.[9]
Some scenes had to be re-cut for release in the US, notably when Margaret Lockwood and Dennis Prices's characters went on honeymoon together – their twin beds were too close together.[10] Lockwood's daughter had a small role.[11]
According to trade papers, the film was a "notable box office attraction" at British cinemas in 1947.[12]
AllMovie called it "A "woman's picture" if ever there was one";[13] but Bosley Crowther in The New York Times was less sympathetic, calling it "...not an especially dramatic or otherwise appetizing serving of entertainment";[14] whereas Variety wrote "...his romantic melodrama will have rough handling by the highbrows, but should prove a box office winner. Story is on hokey side, but a tearjerker."[15]