- River of No Return
Infobox_Film
name = River of No Return
imdb_id = 0047422
producer = Stanley Rubin
director =Otto Preminger
writer = Louis LantzFrank Fenton
starring =Robert Mitchum Marilyn Monroe
Rory Calhoun Tommy Rettig
music =Cyril J. Mockridge Lionel Newman
cinematography =Joseph LaShelle
editing =Louis R. Loeffler
distributor =20th Century Fox
released = flagicon|USAApril 30 ,1954
runtime = 91 min.
language = English"River of No Return" is a 1954 western film made by
20th Century Fox inCinemaScope and directed byOtto Preminger . The film starsRobert Mitchum andMarilyn Monroe withRory Calhoun .Background and production
The film is particularly notable for its brisk pace, achieved by the editing of
Louis R. Loeffler , with very quick cuts between scenes. Mitchum and Monroe performed many of their own stunts and Monroe badly twisted her ankle during production. "River of No Return" featured the majestic scenery of Banff and JasperNational Parks inAlberta ,Canada .Both Preminger and Monroe were forced to do the film against their will, due to contractual obligations. They both expressed their frustration over the script which they considered below par. However, the film was a box office hit upon its release and remains a popular classic western.
Plot
The action takes place in Northwest
Canada , during the period of theGold Rush .Having just been released from prison, Matt Calder (
Robert Mitchum ) is forced to rescue gambler Harry Weston (Rory Calhoun ) and his wife, saloon singer Kay (Marilyn Monroe ), from the rapids near his farm. Weston steals Calder's horse and rides away, leaving widower Calder, his ten-year-old son Mark (Tommy Rettig ), and Kay stranded. When hostile Indians threaten the farm, Matt, his son, and Kay are forced to escape down the dangerous rapids on a raft.Afterwards, Matt finds Harry in town and confronts him. Just as Harry is about to shoot Matt, Mark shoots Harry. Kay reassures the boy that he had no choice. Kay returns to singing at the local saloon until Matt arrives and carries her away.
Featured cast
Music
"I'm Gonna File My Claim." Performed by Monroe.
"Down In the Meadow." Performed by Monroe.
"River Of No Return." Performed by Monroe.
"One Silver Dollar." Performed by Monroe.
Trivia
The 3 pairs of jeans that Marilyn Monroe wore in the movie were among a collection of her personal items that were sold for $42,550 at auction at Christies Auction House to designer
Tommy Hilfiger . [De La Hoz, Cindy: "Marilyn Monroe - Platinum Fox",Page 158 "Running Fox". ISBN-10: 0-7624-3133-4.]The pantaloons that Marilyn Monroe wore in the movie were sold for £4,100 at auction at Bonham's and Butterfields in November 2006. [De La Hoz, Cindy: "Marilyn Monroe - Platinum Fox",Page 158 "Running Fox". ISBN-10: 0-7624-3133-4.]
This movie was not the first meeting of Robert Mitchum and Marilyn Monroe. Mitchum had been in the army with Monroe's, then known as Norma Jeane Baker, first husband James Dougherty. The two had met on a least one occasion during the mid 1940's.
Robert Mitchum was busted for possession of
marijuana during the filming of the movie.Notes
External links
*
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
