The 1948 film "The Woman In White" is based on Wilkie Collins's 1860 novel of the same title. The novel is considered to be the first mystery or detective novel. An artist is hired by a wealthy man to teach his niece about art. He encounters the title character who tells him some odd things about the family. The artist and a family member uncover a plot to deprive an heiress of her money. One of the family members is a recluse who dislikes people, noises, and bright lights. He is a coin collector and keeps his coins in a coin cabinet in trays. He owns a "twelfth century crown of Lorenzo", a coin that is "absolutely priceless."

In 1851, Walter Hartright, an artist, is hired by Frederick Fairlie, a wealthy English nobleman, to manage his art collection and to teach art to Frederick's niece Laura Fairlie. The Fairlie family resides at a mansion named Limmeridge. Laura is the actual owner of Limmeridge and the property. Walter arrives on a train and has to walk from the station to the house at night. He encounters the "Woman in White", a young woman named Ann Catherick.

She tells Walter that she has escaped from a high-class private asylum and warns him about the people at the house. Walter arrives at the house and meets Count Focso, a rotund gentleman, and Marian Halcombe, a cousin of Laura. As befitting such a large place, there are some servants to do the work.

Count Fosco is not a relative but has been living at the house as an extended guest, as has Marian. Walter is taken to meet Frederick Fairlie, Laura's uncle and the official head of the family.

Frederick is very sensitive, dislikes loud noises and bright lights, and never leaves his room. He is an art collector and coin collector who keeps his coins in an ornate wooden cabinet. Frederick has a tray of coins on his lap while he welcomes Walter to the establishment, while constantly complaining about noise and lights.

Frederick asks Walter: Aren't they beautiful? Do you like coins?

Behind Frederick is an elaborate coin cabinet. Frederick complains about a missing coin, a "twelfth century crown of Lorenzo", a coin that he states is "absolutely priceless." He later finds the coin on the floor and is briefly happy. Whether this coin exists or is a product of the film writer is unknown. Walter meets Laura and notices the resemblance between her and Ann. Marian joins them and they ask a local woman about the "Woman in White."

The lady tells the three that the "Woman in White" is Ann Catherick. Walter begins instructing Laura, both realize that she isn't an artist, and they become attracted to each other. Count Fosco notices this and tells Walter that Laura is engaged to marry a Sir Percival Glyde, a Baronet (low-rank nobleman). Shortly afterwards, Sir Percival arrives.

Sir Percival, who is financially broke, and the count are partners in a scheme to get Laura's money. Walter leaves, Percival and Laura marry and leave for Italy, and Marian leaves for Norfolk to stay with relatives. Six months later the couple return with Laura pregnant, followed by Marian. Count Fosco has either fired or encouraged all of the old servants to leave and they have been replaced with new people. Percival is anxious to get Laura's money but Fosco is more cautious. Ann contacts Laura and warns her about the two men but she is caught and locked in the basement. Count Fosco's wife the countess arrives and takes care of Ann.

The countess' care for Ann is not very good as Ann dies and the count has Ann buried under the name of Laura. The count confines Laura in the asylum and then begins to convince her that she is actually Ann, using techniques that would later be called "brainwashing." Count Fosco and Sir Percival end their partnership with Percival paying Fosco a large sum of money.

Walter has returned and looks up Marian. Both have seen Laura's body in the open coffin, realize that the girl is Ann and that Laura is still alive. Marian leaves to confront the count and ask him where Laura is. Walter heads for the mansion and encounters Percival who is trying to overpower Laura, who has escaped from the asylum. The two men fight and Percival strikes his head and dies.

Marian has convinced the count that she won't turn him in to the authorities if he writes and signs a confession and then leaves the country. The count writes a confession which indicates that Ann was the illegitimate daughter of Frederick's sister, who was packed off to Italy to avoid a scandal. Count Fosco heard about the situation and made an agreement to marry the sister who is now the countess. Walter then arrives with the local authorities.

Count Fosco insults his wife who promptly stabs him in the back with an ornate knife. Seven years later, Walter narrates what has become of the survivors.

The asylum has been renovated as an "assisted living" facility with Countess Fosco living there and playing with her jewelry and Frederick living there with his art and coin collection. Walter, Marian, and Laura are living at Limmeridge. Walter has married Marian, they have a daughter, and Laura has a son.

Eleanor Parker as Laura Fairlie and Ann Catherick
Alexis Smith as Marian Halcombe
Gig Young as Walter Hartright
Sydney Greenstreet as Count Alesandro Fosco
John Emery as Sir Percival Glyde
John Abbott as Frederick Fairlie
Agnes Moorehead as Countess Fosco
Director: Peter Godfrey
Writers: Stephen Morehouse Avery, Wilkie Collins (novel)