Film Review: River of No Return (1954)

“High concept” films are not a novel phenomenon in Hollywood, and some of the examples can be found in relatively distant past. One of those is River of No Return, 1954 western directed by Otto Preminger.

The plot is set in Northwestern US in mid 1870s and follows the journey of Matt Calder (played by Robert Mitchum), a rugged frontiersman. It begins in a trading post where Calder, after years of absence, comes to reunite with young son Mark (played by Tommy Rettig) whose mother had died. Thanks to recently discovered gold, the post has turned into rowdy boom town but Mark was fortunate to befriend sultry saloon singer Kay Weston (played by Marilyn Monroe). Calder is happy to take Mark to his nearby farm where two of them start new life. They meet Kay again when she accompanies her boyfriend, crooked professional gambler Harry Weston (played by Rory Calhoun), on a raft with which Harry attempts to reach city in order to file claim won at the card table. Calder rescues both of them, but Weston uses opportunity to beat him up and steal horse and rifle, with Kay deciding to stay behind. With Indians on warpath and without rifle to defend his farm, Calder sees no choice but to take the raft and, together with Mark and Kay, go down the treacherous river, facing rapids, Indians, wild animals and some uncomfortable revelations about his own violent past.

Originally envisioned by Louis Lantz as some sort of remake of Italian neorealist classic The Bicycle Thieves, the script underwent significant transformation under Frank Fenton's pen. Typically Hollywood treatment included shift to a Western genre, a happy ending, and, most importantly, addition of major female character played by Marilyn Monroe, who was the emerging star at the time. This allowed not only for the romantic subplot and Hollywood glamour, but also opportunity for Monroe to sing number of catchy songs.

The blend of genres within River of No Return, like in many such “high concept” films, doesn’t quite work. Otto Preminger directed the film out of contractual obligations and never felt at ease with westerns. His discomfort with the genre is palpable, reflected in certain action sequences that lack the desired impact, such as Calder's confrontation with Indians on the raft. On the other hand, River of No Return holds distinction as one of the first Hollywood films with squibs used during the production of shooting scene. The scene appears at the very end and the effect is hardly noticeable, mainly due to heavy censorship standards of Hays Code.

The film ultimately benefits from stunning visuals captured in the Canadian Rockies and Idaho locations. The expansive landscapes, coupled with the widescreen Cinemascope format, imbue the film with a grandeur that elevates its status as one of the first “proper” westerns. Another of the film’s strength is its ensemble cast. Child actor Tommy Rettig delivers a commendable performance, while Marilyn Monroe, despite her insecurities and acrimonious relationship with Preminger on set, portrays Kay Weston with a delicate balance of vulnerability and allure. Her on-screen chemistry with Robert Mitchum, rooted in knowing each other before they were actors, adds a lot of depth to the film and make audience ignore some of its obvious shortcomings.

While River of No Return did not create much enthusiasm among critics, it had massive success at the box office. Both Preminger and Monroe weren’t happy with the film, the latter describing it as the worst of her entire career. Despite that, it is classic example of Hollywood craftsmanship and mostly entertaining piece of cinema that could be recommended even to contemporary audiences.

RATING: 6/10 (++)

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