The White Unicorn

The White Unicorn is a 1947 British drama film directed by Bernard Knowles and starring Margaret Lockwood, Joan Greenwood, Ian Hunter and Dennis Price. 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. It was also known as Milkwhite Unicorn and Bad Sister (its title in the US).

Plot
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.

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

Production
In December 1946 Phyllis Calvert was scheduled to play the lead.

Filming began in March 1947. The film was made at Nettleford Studios. It was used to help build up Joan Greenwood who Rank were trying to make a star.

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. Lockwood's daughter had a small role.

Box office
According to trade papers, the film was a "notable box office attraction" at British cinemas in 1947.

Critical
AllMovie called it "A "woman's picture" if ever there was one"; but Bosley Crowther in The New York Times was less sympathetic, calling it "...not an especially dramatic or otherwise appetizing serving of entertainment"; 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."