Otto Preminger directed indifferently River of No Return, showing no real interest in or affinity for the Western film, which starred Robert Mitchum and Marilyn Monroe at the peak of their respective popularity.
Grade: C+ (** out of *****)
Monroe later claimed that River of No Return was her worst film, and the evidence on screen might support her assertion.
The screenplay by Frank Fenton is based on a story by Louis Lantz, who borrowed the premise from the De Sica’s 1948 Italian film Bicycle Thieves.
The picture was shot on location in the Canadian Rockies in Technicolor and CinemaScope.
Set in the Northwestern in 1875, the film focuses on taciturn widower Matt Calder (Robert Mitchum), recently released from prison after serving time for killing a man while defending another.
Matt arrives in boomtown tent city, searching for his son Mark (Tommy Rettig), age 9, left in the care of dance hall singer Kay (Monroe) after the man who brought him there had abandoned him.
Matt promises Mark that the two will enjoy a better future life of hunting, fishing and farming on their homestead.
Meanwhile, Kay’s fiance, gambler Harry Weston (Rory Calhoun), offers to buy Matt’s rifle and horse in order to reach Council City by land. When Matt refuses, Harry forcefully steals both horse and rifle.
From that point on, the tale turns into a routine family melodrama, which could have taken place anywhere and anytime.
Kay chooses to stay behind, in the wilderness. When hostile Indians attack the farm, they are forced to escape down the river on Harry’s raft.
As the three continue their journey, Kay recognizes Matt’s bravery and the tender way he cares for both her and Mark.
Along the way, they deal with all kinds of trials and tribulations, a mountain lion attack; gold prospectors looking for Harry for stealing their claim; another Indian war party.
After a difficult ride through the rapids, the three arrive in Council City, where Kay finds a job at the local saloon.
In the preposterous ending, Matt walks into the saloon and takes Kay back to his farm along with Mark. She happily leaves with him.
The final scene shows the domsestication of Kay, Kay throwing her high heeled showgirl shoes into the street, thus renouncing her old life.
Cast
Robert Mitchum as Matt Calder
Marilyn Monroe as Kay Weston
Tommy Rettig as Mark Calder
Rory Calhoun as Harry Weston
Douglas Spencer as Sam Benson
Murvyn Vye as Dave Colby
