REVIEW: High Tide at Noon (1957)

High Tide at Noon (1957) 

The film begins with Joanna MacKenzie (Betta St. John) arriving by boat on a seemingly deserted island in Nova Scotia. She wanders around the empty buildings, frightened by a clock chiming in a house. She runs outside and begins to think about the past.

(CUE FLASHBACK…)

We now see a supposedly younger, happier Joanna landing on the island yet again, but it now is teeming with activity from the lobster fishing trade. Her family owns most of the island, and she has returned from school to again live in the family’s house with her mother, father, and brothers.
The Breck family is introduced to the audience as scheming “trash”, always looking for trouble. Despite this, Joanna gives Simon Breck (Patrick McGoohan) some flirty attention, but regrets it when he asks her to meet her that night at an abandoned house (“the old Graham place”). He proceeds to kiss her, then tries to go further and Joanna manages to escape to the safety of her brothers and Nils (Michael Craig), who are playing pool. Nils walks her home and is the only one who knows about what happened.

At a local dance, Simon again makes advances, and an all out fistfight begins. Joanna escapes and stands at the docks alone, thinking. She accidentally overhears her brother Charles talking to his girlfriend, Matille, realizing the girl is pregnant. She later has a heart-to-heart with her brother, who ends up marrying Matille while he is on the mainland selling the family lobster-catch. Their parents are not pleased.

Nils tells Joanna that he’s wanted to propose marriage to her for a long time, but she tells him she isn’t in love with him, and Nils is crushed.

One rainy day a handsome stranger arrives on the island. His name is Alec (William Sylvester), grandson of Sandy Graham, and he intends on taking over her old house. As time goes by, Joanna and Alec fall for each other, and get married. They fix up the house and make it a home, but married life becomes less than happy due to a lack of lobsters in Alec’s traps, and his gambling habit.

One reason the MacKenzie family is also not catching lobsters is someone is cutting the ropes which connect the wooden traps to each lobsterman’s buoys. The Breck family is given a stern talking to by the elder MacKenzie.

After one particular poker game with the same Brecks, Alec comes home and swears to Joanna he will no longer gamble, and will work as hard as he can to earn money and be a good husband. In time, their bills start to get paid, and things begin looking brighter.

Things start to change yet again one night when Alec drowns in a boating accident. Then, one by one, friends and family members move to the mainland where fishing is better.

One rainy night, Simon goes to Joanna’s house, and in so many words tells her now that she isn’t married anymore, he intends on calling in Alec’s I.O.U.’s, which add up to $600. Since she has no money, the house may end up his. He then begins telling Joanne she really wants him, and next thing the audience sees is her running into the family house, crying. Nils goes after Simon, who gets into a boat and speeds off into the sea. Nils can’t catch up, and yells to him he’ll kill Simon if he ever sets foot on the island again.

The lobster business continues to be threatened for locals, and Nils tries one more time to get Joanna to say “yes” to marriage. She again refuses him, and leaves the island. She then realizes she may have made a huge mistake.

Finally, even Joanna and her parents have to leave the island.

We then return to the beginning again, with Joanna on the deserted island. But someone is on the beach… Nils…

Oh, and he says the lobsters are back.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This film was entered into the 1957 Cannes Film Festival, and a look around the ‘net will turn up a few photos of Rank actors Betta St. John, June Laverick, Anne Heywood, and Patrick McGoohan at the event. There is also a very brief film clip from a Pathe newsreel. No doubt more images exist in collections.

I’m a female who doesn’t like love stories, so I had to force myself to watch this one (yes, once again, because Mr. McGoohan was in it). But I figured the fact it was entered at Cannes would mean it was an excellent film regardless.

Wellp… I wasn’t impressed. In fact, I thought it was downright boring.

Most of the acting was ok, though I have to confess McGoohan’s treatment of Simon would have been more believable had he not tried to sound (North) American. I already knew ahead of time his character was a louse, so I was prepared for his very un-John Drake-like behavior. Still… I had to chuckle and raise an eyebrow (or two) when he had Betta St.John in a clinch!

There were lots of actual outdoor scenes, with only a few obvious-fakey outdoor ones. I was surprised to find behind the scenes photos online showing the sets used.  Perhaps those scenes would have been more obvious to me had I watched an actual DVD on a TV and not a web-sourced copy on an old tablet.  But all in all the film has an OK look to it, though there were no beautiful seas or sunsets, or rolling fields, etc to help elevate it to a higher caliber.

Plot wise, again, I don’t like love stories. So I’ll try not to be too harsh.

Firstly, Simon seems to have already had a go at trying to kiss Joanne in the past. He’s still intent on getting her all for himself. When she arrives on the island after school is over, and he talks to her for the first time, the fact he specifically asks how old she is should have been a wee-bit of a hint that she should RUN. But NO, instead she basically flirts with him, and stupidly goes ahead and meets him at the abandoned Graham house! Then she lets him kiss her! DUH! Like he isn’t going to try to go further? The girl comes across as stupid, not innocent.

The fact she spurns Nils is also a stupid move. Then she marries Alec, not already knowing he likes to gamble? I guess a longer courtship was called for. Though things do work out and they seem to be in love.

The idea of her brother getting a woman pregnant was a bit racy for the era. When she goes into labor, we never do find out much about the result, other than Charles and their father make up.

Too many vague points here and there ruin the believe-ability of the plot.

We never get much explanation as to just what happened to cause the boating accident that killed Alec, other than at least one of the MacKenzie brothers blames himself, and alcohol may have been involved.

Did Simon actually rape Joanna? If so, all that happens is Nils yelling at him as he escapes via boat? A family full of brothers and we hear nothing else about retribution?

And what about that official who seems to be part of the reason the lobstering on the island is going to die? Why can they catch more off the mainland? Are there regulations or something?

And WHY is Nils on the beach at the very end? Is THAT why Joanna came back in the first place?  And if the lobsters are back... is he happier about THAT or seeing Joanna???

I guess I would not tell someone to stay away from the film, just don’t expect a lot of action or ground-breaking dialogue or camera work.

If you'd prefer not to watch this film as a lowish quality online copy, it was available as a Region 2 (non-US) DVD (EAN: 5060105724800)

The old family clock... about to trigger a movie-long flashback

The Breck family... nothing but trouble...

The MacKenzie family

Charles has got hitched on the mainland... he "had to"

A stranger named Alec lands on the island

Joanne marries Alec

An empty money box

Simon visits the widow-MacKenzie... he's calling in Alec's gambling debts, and is not happy about being rejected by her yet again

Nils in the Breck house, about to get revenge on Simon, do "don't mean to fight you... if that's what you want"

More bad news for the lobstermen...

Nils tries one more time to get Joanne to marry him

Leaving the island... best not to look back

"The lobsters are back!" and we are back to the present day once more

REVIEW: Life For Ruth / Walk in the Shadow (1962)

LIFE FOR RUTH (1962)

aka: WALK IN THE SHADOW (USA/1966)

John Harris (Michael Craig) and his wife Pat (Janet Munro) have an eight year old daughter named Ruth.  One day, their neighbor’s son Teddy goes with Ruth and her parents to the nearby seaside cliffs to collect driftwood for Ruth’s grandfather.  Other children on the beach kick Ruth’s ball into the water, so Teddy decides they should take a nearby rowboat out to retrieve it.

The kids soon find themselves in rough waters, which threaten to crash the small boat against jagged rocks.  Ruth screams for her father, as he makes his way down the cliffs to them.  Teddy falls overboard, so John swims over to him first.  He manages to get the boy over to a rescue boat, then swims back to rescue Ruth.  But by the time he gets to her, she is in the water with a head wound. 

Next, John and Pat are in a hospital, waiting for news of Ruth’s condition.  Teddy is fine and sent home, but Dr. Brown (Patrick McGoohan) informs them that Ruth has lost a lot of blood, and is in desperate need of a blood transfusion.

As soon as John hears this, he says she “mustn’t have a blood transfusion”.  Dr. Brown is shocked to hear that the “giving and taking of blood” against John’s religion.  Brown tells him that they aren’t “living in the dark ages”.  Dr. Brown leaves the room in a hurry to get Dr. Harvard to help plead his case, and Pat pleads with her husband to allow the transfusion.

The doctors return, but Dr. Harvard tells the unrelenting parents they need to sign a form absolving the hospital from all blame if Ruth dies.  Brown continues to plead with the couple, to no avail.

John and Pat go home, and Brown takes the opportunity to set up a transfusion anyway.  He feels it is his decision to make, not the parents’.  He tries to contact the head of the hospital for permission, but can’t.  Harvard tells him without Marshall’s approval, he won’t allow Brown to continue.

At home, John consoles his wife, telling her in the eyes of God, and by His law, they are doing right.  John firmly believes Ruth will be alright.  But as soon as she is alone, Pat runs to the hospital to see Dr. Brown, and tells him to go through with the blood transfusion.  But it is too late.  Brown drives Pat back home, and she confronts her husband.  “I saw her die” she tells him.

From this point, the plot revolves around the relationship between John and Pat (strained, due to Pat not having been born into her husband’s religion, and therefore easily doubting it’s teachings), and Dr. Brown trying to get what he feels is justice for Ruth, in order to prevent other children from dying due to what he feels are fanatical religious beliefs. It all culminates in the father's trial under a British child-cruelty law.

(I am not describing the second half of the film as, really, it should be watched fresh and the viewer allowed to form their own opinions on the topic.)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Munro pleads with McGoohan...
just a slight height difference!

I have to admit, knowing what the film was about, I wasn't really looking forward to watching it.  But since it had Patrick McGoohan's, I sought it out and did indeed watch the whole film.  It actually went by rather quickly, meaning it wasn't the chore I expected it to be.

Not only is the topic of religious freedom covered, but also the idea of The State having more control over people's children than parents. In the film, Dr. Brown mentions more than once he feels the State should be able to step in and give treatment to a child regardless of parents' views.  This premise feels very modern, given events such as the Justina Pelletier case in Boston and the Charlie Gard situation in England.

The film never flat out tells us just what Ruth's parents religion is, and while this does seem a little odd, I am guessing this was done to protect the studio from libel.  But it appears the Harris family is Jehovah's Witnesses. Other characters are identified as Jewish, Catholic, and Church of England, while the doctor is portrayed as more of a man of science, probably agnostic. The wife converted in order to marry Harris, but never really agreed with his beliefs.

Having all these religions mixed into one film could have been asking for real trouble, but in the end, the viewer gets the point of the story, without their own religion being insulted. No one is ever actually proven right or wrong. You can side with whichever character you wish, for the most part. This is one reason I found the film palatable.  Only the most fanatical may be offended.

As for production, there are some interesting shots showing ominous skies and seas, interesting camera angles, etc. Acting is good overall, Harris being perfect as the father. Munro was a bit "weepy" for my tastes, but her portrayal of a conflicted mother and wife is for the most part not too "syrupy".  McGoohan plays Dr. Brown in a very quiet and restrained manner. I expected at least one major burst of anger from him (ala "Danger Man" or "Prisoner"), but he kept things low-key. In fact, his first batch of lines are delivered so softly I had to turn up the volume to hear them!  One wonders what famously Catholic McGoohan personally thought about the film’s subject.   

All in all, I'd say this was a rather dark, but well made film of a touchy topic, which is handled fairly and doesn't insult or take sides. I'd like to have seen a little more "fire" from the main characters in certain scenes, but that's just one person's opinion.

If you'd prefer not to watch this film as a lowish quality online copy, it is available as a Region 2 (non-US) DVD from Network in the UK.

Teddy and Ruth confront the boys who kicked their ball into the sea

John and Pat await news of Ruth's condition

Dr. Brown can't believe his ears... no transfusion??

Dr. Brown tells his boss he intends to get justice

"You psalm singing bastard..." Pat's parents learn just why Ruth died

Coming to her husband's defense after Ruth's funeral...

... but Pat can't make herself enter the meeting hall for the service

A Jew, a Catholic, and a doctor discuss if it is right to take Harris to court

John listens to witnesses

Dr. Brown speaks his mind on the stand

REVIEW: Nor the Moon By Night / Elephant Gun (1958)

NOR THE MOON BY NIGHT (1958)

Aka: ELEPHANT GUN (USA)

This film is set in Africa, with Patrick McGoohan playing park ranger Andrew Miller, who has been writing to a woman named Alice (Belinda Lee) for years.  After her mother dies, Alice finally heads to Africa to meet and marry Andrew.  His brother Rusty (Michael Craig) isn’t fond of the idea, and thinks the arraignment will fail miserably.

Andrew becomes involved with problems involving local tribes, poachers, and stampeding elephants while Rusty is assigned to meet and watch over Alice until he can meet up with them.  Putting his job ahead of his woman results in his brother Rusty and Alice falling in love (lust?).  Andrew doesn’t know it yet, but Alice isn’t exactly the nice girl he thought she was.

A native park staffer is killed, and scenes of tribal members, other staffers, and poachers clashing follow.  Accusations as to who is responsible for the death fly.  Was it an evil ghost?  Was it the local white poacher and his men?  Was it a spurned lover?  The dead man’s widow seeks revenge.  Meanwhile Alice and Rusty cavort with each other.

Alice finally gets to meet Andrew when he is rescued after spending time up a tree, bleeding from an arm wound, trying to stay out of the mouths of local lions while a brush fire rages.  Laying on the ground in a daze, he looks at Alice as she hovers over him, giving her a gentlemanly “pleased to meet you”. 

The whole group finally end up together, relaxing in a camp house, where things seem rather frosty between Alice, Rusty, and a local white poacher’s young daughter named Thea, who has run away from home.  Andrew seems out of the loop.  Eventually, Thea, who has a crush on Andrew, confronts Alice about the fact she isn’t in love with him, but his brother, and should let Andrew know. 

Torrential rains begin to fall.  One thing leads to another, Alice and Rusty get passionate, Thea decides to go home, gather her things, and run away from her abusive father for good.  Andrew follows, thwarts Thea’s father who tries to bull-whip him, and takes her to safety.  He stops his Land Rover and, soaking wet, basically tells her she can live with him (and no doubt become his wife), giving her a kiss before the scene fades out.  

Alice thinks she has to leave Africa to face charges of killing her mother, who she was caring for before leaving to meet Andrew.  The charges are dropped, and she drives away with Rusty.

-------------------------------

Before watching this film, you must put yourself in the mind of an English audience-member in 1958.  Britain still has a large colonial presence all around the globe, including Africa.  Racism is still rampant as well, and censors still have much influence over film content. 

Having said that, the handling of scenes with local Africans is surprisingly realistic, dare I say even slightly respectful for the era, though modern audiences may take issue with the whole “voodoo curse” plotline and “rain dance” at the end.  But in all there is a rather authentic feel to most of their scenes (no blackface and seemingly no fake languages). 

The overall look of the film is not as impressive as an MGM Cinerama masterpiece, but for it’s time and budget it does make an impression, with it's wide-screen aspect and landscape shots

As for the animal scenes, they range from adorable to disturbing.  Were any animals “harmed during the making of this motion picture”?  I don’t know, but it sure looks like an elephant was shot somewhere at some time, and either the male lion who ends up draped over McGoohan was asleep from drugs, or downright dead.   

---------------------------

I'll be completely honest... the only reason I watched this movie was because of Patrick McGoohan.  I think the only reason men watched it when it first came out was because of Belinda Lee!  For a 1950s British film, she sure showed off her figure and near the end had some rather steamy scenes with Michael Craig.  If any kids were in the audience, it was because of the wild African animals, most of which seemed to be real.

Supposedly the on-location production was plagued by “issues” with the cast and accidents like the one that put McGoohan in the hospital after crashing a vehicle.  In a magazine article he later stated that during filming pretty much every actor’s marriage ended but his.  Belinda Lee actually left the production to be with her lover and had to be persuaded to return.   

As for the main plot and cast, Lee’s character (Alice) starts out seemingly innocent and moral, dressing conservatively as she cares for her dying mother.  Craig’s (Rusty) seems dubious of brother Andrew’s (McGoohan) by-mail courtship of Lee.  He almost seems to be telling him he’s not man enough to have a relationship of any kind with a woman.  He no doubt doesn’t understand a man like Andrew, who is a thoughtful, quiet sort of guy, who seems genuinely happy Alice will finally be with him, but doesn’t quite know how to show it.

Everything starts to change once Alice arrives in Africa, and by the time the movie hits the half-way mark, you wonder if you are looking at the same characters as in the beginning!  Lee’s wardrobe style changes, and she basically turns into a tramp.  Rusty becomes a wolf, while Andrew is more interested in the animals in his care than the woman he is supposed to marry. 

It struck me that perhaps there was a casting change before shooting began.  Craig’s character is named Rusty, but he is a dark-haired man, while McGoohan has the reddish-brown “rusty” color hair (though sometimes it seems almost gray).  Craig is also handsome and muscular, and lets the audience know it.  But it is McGoohan’s character that gets all of the dangerous action scenes, though he is tall and lean (and keeps his clothes on).  

In order, Andrew almost gets bitten by what looks like a cobra (according to McGoohan, it was a real snake that had been milked of its venom), crashes his truck (like he did in real life off-camera), gets attacked by a lion, treed by more lions while bleeding profusely, almost burned by a brush fire while in said tree (the cast & crew helped fight a real fire according to a newspaper article), and almost bull-whipped at the end of the film while soaking wet.  All the while buff Rusty gets closer and closer (literally) with a ready and willing Alice. 

One subtle stunt that looked particularly impressive for a non-stuntman was when McGoohan, as an injured Andrew, climbs a tree with only one hand.  I couldn't climb a tree with THREE hands, yet alone one.  

Craig would have looked more “Hollywood” playing Andrew, but McGoohan could never have pulled off the sexiness of the scenes with Lee.  Instead, he gets all the danger and ends up with the young good-girl Thea played by Anna Gaylor, which may seem fitting to his fans.  One of his most natural scenes is the one where we first meet Thea, the poacher’s young blonde daughter.  She gives him a small monkey to hold while she questions him about his by-mail girlfriend.  She obviously has a crush on him, but he treats her like a little sister since she's not yet 18, calling her “Pigtails”.  Thea (Anna Gaylor) receives one of the very few McGoohan on-screen kisses, and if you really watch it, you can almost hear his brain say “I’ll just say what I mean with this little shoulder-bump and a smile” before planting that kiss. 

If you'd prefer not to watch this film as a lowish quality online copy, it is available as a Region 2 (non-US) DVD from Network in the UK (worth it, ladies, just to more clearly see Patrick's blue eyes)