High Tide at Noon is a 1957 British drama film directed by Philip Leacock. It was entered into the 1957 Cannes Film Festival. High Tide at Noon was based on the first of a series of novels by Elisabeth Ogilvie, set in Maine. Location work was done in Devon. Plot A woman named Joanna returns to an island off the coast of Nova Scotia where she was raised, and where memories immediately stir from her past. The entire film is thereafter in flashback. She recalls being 17 and having the attentions of three young men. She has had a previous kiss with the handsome but arrogant and aggressive Simon Breck and she agrees to meet him. When he makes a move on her she runs off. Nils Sorensen loves her, but is seen by Joanna only as a friend, not a suitor. She ultimately marries Alec Douglas, a gentle soul who reads poetry to her. All the men and all the local fisherman use small boats to fish for Maine lobster. Economic hardship overwhelms nearly everyone on the island, particularly Joanna's parents, the MacKenzies, as the fishing community's lobster traps start to come up empty. Worse for her, Alec amasses a large debt to Simon as a result of his gambling. It seems that Alec is stealing lobster from rival pots in order to pay his debts. One night, he is drowned: it is unclear if this is accidental but Nils takes part of the blame. Simon threatens Joanna and Nils drives him off the island, threatening to kill him. Nils offers to marry Joanna but she declines. He leaves the island soon after without saying goodbye. All three men ultimately disappear from her life. However, as the flashback ends, upon her return many years later, Joanna is pleased to once again encounter Nils. Cast Betta St. John as Joanna William Sylvester as Alec Douglas Michael Craig as Nils Sorenson Flora Robson as Donna MacKenzie Alexander Knox as Stephen MacKenzie Peter Arne as Owen MacKenzie Patrick McGoohan as Simon Breck Patrick Allen as Charles MacKenzie Jill Dixon as Matille Trudeau Susan Beaumont as Kristy John Hayward as Philip MacKenzie Errol MacKinnon as Peter Grant References External links 1957 films British drama films 1957 drama films British black-and-white films Films directed by Philip Leacock Films set on islands Films set in Nova Scotia Films shot in Nova Scotia Films shot at