husband (who, it is strongly implied, is also engaging in an unhealthy relationship with their elder daughter) becomes ever more shocking and she descends into alcoholism to blur her despair. A final attempt by Charlotte to flee Geoffrey ends in tragedy. Vera's marriage, too, crumbles as her husband discovers her in a serious extra-marital relationship and petitions for divorce. The film ends by showing Charlotte's and Vera's children being cared for by the childless Lucy. Cast James Mason as Geoffrey Lee Phyllis Calvert as Lucy Moore Dulcie Gray as Charlotte Lee Anne Crawford as Vera Sargeant Hugh Sinclair as Terry Crawford Peter Murray-Hill as William Moore Barry Livesey as Brian Sargeant Pamela Kellino as Margaret Lee Ann Stephens as Judith Lee Brian Nissen as John Watson David Horne as Mr. Field Joss Ambler as Blakemore Roland Pertwee as Sir Hamish Nair Amy Veness as Mrs. Pursley Thorley Walters as Channing John Gilpin as Stephen Lee Brefni O'Rorke as Coroner Helen Stephens as Sarah Sargeant Roy Russell as Lethbridge Edie Martin as Cook Dora Sevening as Janet Helen Goss as Webster Reception The film was very popular at the British box office, being one of the biggest hits of the year. According to Kinematograph Weekly the 'biggest winners' at the box office in 1945 Britain were The Seventh Veil, with "runners up" being (in release order), Madonna of the Seven Moons, Old Acquaintance, Frenchman's Creek, Mrs Parkington, Arsenic and Old Lace, Meet Me in St Louis, A Song to Remember, Since You Went Away, Here Come the Waves, Tonight and Every Night, Hollywood Canteen, They Were Sisters, The Princess and the Pirate, The Adventures of Susan, National Velvet, Mrs Skefflington, I Live in Grosvenor Square, Nob Hill, Perfect Strangers, Valley of Decision, Conflict and Duffy's Tavern. British "runners up" were They Were Sisters, I Live in Grosvenor Square, Perfect Strangers, Madonna of the Seven Moons, Waterloo Road, Blithe Spirit, The Way to the Stars, I'll Be Your Sweetheart, Dead of Night, Waltz Time and Henry V. Critical The Times wrote, "the merit of this long and intelligent film lies in the skill with which it establishes the personalities of the sisters...the acting throughout has strength and sincerity." References External links Review of film at Variety 1945 films 1945 drama films British drama films Gainsborough Pictures films British black-and-white films Films directed by Arthur Crabtree Films based on British novels Films set