The White Unicorn
The White Unicorn | |
---|---|
Original British trade ad | |
Directed by | Bernard Knowles |
Produced by | Harold Huth |
Screenplay by |
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 by | Bretton Byrd |
Cinematography | Reginald H. Wyer |
Edited by | Robert Johnson |
Production company | |
Distributed by | General Film Distributors (UK) |
Release date | 30 October 1947 (London)(UK) |
Running time | 97 minutes |
Country | United Kingdom |
Language | English |
The White Unicorn is a 1947 British drama film directed by Bernard Knowles and starring Margaret Lockwood, Joan Greenwood, Ian Hunter and Dennis Price.[2] 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.[2]
It was also known as Milkwhite Unicorn.[3]
Plot
At a home for delinquent girls, a troublesome girl (Joan Greenwood), swaps reminiscences with the warden (Margaret Lockwood), who recounts her own unhappy marriage, divorce and tragic death of her second husband.
Reception
According to trade papers, the film was a "notable box office attraction" at British cinemas in 1947.[4]
Allmovie called it "A "woman's picture" if ever there was one";[5] but Bosley Crowther in The New York Times was less sympathetic, calling it "...not an especially dramatic or otherwise appetizing serving of entertainment";[6] 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."[7]
Cast
- Margaret Lockwood as Lucy
- Joan Greenwood as Lottie Smith
- Ian Hunter as Philip Templar
- Dennis Price as Richard Glover
- Eileen Peel as Joan
- Guy Middleton as Fobey
- Catherine Lacey as Miss Cater
- Paul Dupuis as Paul
- Bryl Wakely as Matron of Remand home
- Joan Rees as Alice Walters
- Mabel Constanduros as Nurse
- Lily Kann as Shura
- Valentine Dyall as Storton
- Julia Lockwood as Norey
- Vernon Conway as Son of Pompous Matron
- Kyra Vayne as Singer
- Cecil Bevan as Clerk to the Assizes
- John Boxer as Bill
- Dorothy Bramhall as Parlourmaid
- Clifford Cobbe as Drunken Father
- Amy Dalby as Landlady
- David Evans as Ted - Parcels Boy
- John Howard as Kaarlo
- Noel Howlett as Sir Humphrey Webster
- Elizabeth Maude as Mrs. Madden
- Robert Moore as Clerk to the Judge
- Thelma Rea as Pompous Matron
- Desmond Roberts as Elderly Roue
- Stewart Rome as Charles Madden
- Jean Shepherd as Lottie's Mother
- Paul Sheridan as Hotel Manager
- Isola Strong as Shop Manageress
- Jan Van Loewen as Schoolmaster
- Jack Vyvian as Usher
References
- ↑ Goble, Alan (1 January 1999). "The Complete Index to Literary Sources in Film". Walter de Gruyter – via Google Books.
- 1 2 "The White Unicorn (1947)".
- ↑ British Film Star Irked by Censors: 'Silly,' Says Margaret Lockwood in Trans-Atlantic Phone Chat Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) [Los Angeles, Calif] 9 Mar 1947: B1.
- ↑ Robert Murphy, Realism and Tinsel: Cinema and Society in Britain 1939-48 2003 p209
- ↑ "The White Unicorn (1947) - Bernard Knowles - Synopsis, Characteristics, Moods, Themes and Related - AllMovie".
- ↑ http://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9F00EEDD1338E13ABC4952DFB0668383659EDE?
- ↑ "Variety (November 1947)".
External links
- The White Unicorn on IMDb
- The White Unicorn at BFI
- The White Unicorn at Silver Sirens
- Review of film at Variety