[5] Helen Allistair is the sadistic proprietress of a grim boarding house providing accommodation for unmarried young mothers and pregnant women.

John and James Woolf of Romulus Films had first enquired about the property even before its presentation at the Embassy Theatre; the leading players they had in mind at this early stage were Flora Robson and Ida Lupino.

[7] According to producer Daniel Angel, his original plan had been to couple the film with another 'social problem' picture (again based on a controversial play), Cosh Boy (1953) directed by Lewis Gilbert.

"[8] Trade shown on 4 November 1952, the film opened at the Plaza, Piccadilly Circus in London on 15 January 1953, with general release following from 23 February.

[citation needed] The cover design for this release featured Freda Jackson, not in Women of Twilight, but in her other "vicious landlady" role, Mrs Voray in No Room at the Inn (1948).

Press responses ranged from "Though grossly overacted by all in sight, the film will draw pity from those who know how harsh the world can be"[9] to "Before virtue triumphs we are treated to a great deal of horror and degradation ...

This study of the conditions in which unmarried mothers live and have their children, and not uncommonly watch them die, is powerful, sordid, disturbing and perhaps not so overdrawn as some good easy people think.

"[14] The Spectator, January 1953: "Miss Jackson is an old hand at the silky sinister, the velvet vile, and as usual is admirably alarming.