'If Winter Comes' Summary

If Winter Comes is a 1947 drama film released by MGM. The movie was directed by Victor Saville, based on the 1921 novel by A.S.M. Hutchinson. The film tells the story of an English textbook writer who takes in a pregnant girl. The novel had previously been made into the 1923 film If Winter Comes.

Set in the English village Penny Green in 1939, the film focuses on Mark Sabre (Walter Pidgeon), an author and publisher who is unhappily married to Mabel (Angela Lansbury), a cold, humorless woman who usually spends her days gossiping with the townspeople. When Mark finds out his former sweetheart Nona Tybar (Deborah Kerr) is returning to Penny Green, Mark, unlike his wife, is delighted. Nona is married to Tony Tybar (Hugh French), but is still in love with Mark. Mabel is aware of Mark's feelings for Nona, and encourages him to spend time with her, thinking he will eventually decide with whom he wants to spend his life.

As the war starts, Tony is called into the military; Mark attempts to join up, but a doctor finds a heart condition and prevents him. Nona leaves Penny Green to join the Women's Auxiliary Air Force. Life becomes quiet for Mark, until Effie Bright (Janet Leigh), who has been disowned by her father for becoming pregnant, turns to him for help.