In several modern interviews, Negulesco stated that he directed By using this site, you agree to our updated, Young Mark (Tommy Rettig) is doing odd jobs at a Northwestern gold camp circa 1875 when his father Matt (Robert Mitchum) at last finds him, then gets introduced to showgirl Kay (Marilyn Monroe), early in Otto Preminger's, Recently re-united on their frontier farm (shot on location in Alberta), Calder (Robert Mitchum) and son Mark (Tommy Rettig) are checking out the natives when acquaintances Harry (Rory Calhoun) and Kay (Marilyn Monroe) ride up on a raft, in Otto Preminger's, Unhappy traveling partners Kay (Marilyn Monroe) and Calder (Robert Mitchum), along with his son Mark (Tommy Rettig), forced to run the generally not-navigable river, trouble and bonding ensuing, in Otto Preminger's, A frontier farmer takes off with his son and a saloon singer after the man who stole his rifle and his horse in. Discovery Channels fascinating nature documentary, River of No Return narrates the livelihood of the sparsely populated watersheds that grace its rugged banks. After making it down the rapids, where previously we have seen Ms Monroe's clothes clinging soaking wet, the very first shot on still water she is all clean and dry and ironed. Screenplay: Frank Fenton, based on a story by Louis Lantz The Nez Perc considered the Salmon River country sacred as it provided in abundance the sustenance needed to survive thanks to its abundant salmon and steelhead fishery. Life. Notice how it lacks the straight, sheer walls of the Grand Canyon. When Calder regains consciousness, he sees that nearby Indians have witnessed the incident and are preparing to attack, so he quickly loads Mark and Kay onto the raft and sets off down the river. Antony Blinken . On May 15, 1952, Los Angeles Times reported that Louis Lantz' original story had been purchased as a vehicle to star Dale Robertson, and that Julian Blaustein would serve as the picture's executive producer. On August 19, Monroe suffered a leg injury during the shooting of a raft scene. Rivers of Power: How a Natural Force Raised Kingdoms, Destroyed Civilizations, and Shapes Our World. A couple of minutes later 2 warriors swim out from the bank to the right of the rat. Love is a traveler on the river of no return. It flows for a length of 425 miles and transforms into a 7,000 feet rapid between its headwaters. Water, Image of the Day ), Released in United States June 1989 (Shown at Film Forum in New York City June 10 & 11, 1989.). At that time, the Salmon River valley would have been free of ice, making it what archaeologists have described as a logical off-ramp for groups from Asia traveling to North America by boat. Tracing an arc from its origins in the Stanley Basin and nearby headwaters, it follows a well worn crack revealing some of the oldest minerals visible anywhere on earth on its north then west then south before turning west again path towards its confluence with the Snake River and ultimately the Pacific Ocean. Hence the name River of No Return. Lewis and Clark came across the Salmon River and went on to describe it as foaming and roaring through rocks in every direction, so as to render the passage of anything impossible. This was in 1805 and it would be nearly fifty years later before gold was discovered that the drainage would be thoroughly explored and catalogued. If renewed,River of No Return season 2 can release sometime in October 2020. It is sung by the deep-voiced Tex Williams.All the river photos are my own. As forces of nature deposited a variety of sediments across the state which later metamorphosed into the gneiss, schist and quartzite visible inside its gorge, the river began its ravenous gravity fed journey towards the sea. by Chris Fujiwara. Art Direction: Addison Hehr, Lyle Wheeler Over hundreds of millions of years, the river has carved some of the deepest gorges in the United States, some of which have more vertical relief than the Grand Canyon. Calder apologizes for his earlier behavior, but again refuses to listen when Kay defends Weston. On one occasion, Marilyn Monroe had to be saved from drowning when her boots filled with water, and on another occasion, she and Robert Mitchum had to be rescued when their raft became stuck on a rock and was on the verge of overturning. On July 24, 2019, the Operational Land Imager (OLI) on Landsat 8 acquired this natural-color image of a rugged section of a canyon near the confluence of the South Fork and the Salmon River. In 2019, archaeologists from the University of Oregon announced they had discovered bones, charcoal, and spears that radiocarbon dating indicated to be more than 16,000 years oldone of the oldest archaeological sites in the U.S. (11 reels), River of No Return (1954) began as an idea of writer Louis Lantz, who proposed an Old West variation on Vittorio De Sica's The Bicycle Thief (1948), with the hero now a farmer who loses his horse (and also his gun). After making it down the rapids, where previously we have seen Ms Monroe's clothes clinging soaking wet, the very first shot on still water she is all clean and dry and ironed. However, these brave homesteaders continue to navigate the ordinary domestic challenges, that include issues related to home, family, and livelihood. That evening, Kay is surprised by how tenderly Calder cares for her and Mark, and the next morning, he succeeds in killing an elk. Inhabited by a variety of peoples dating back to at least 8,000-11,000 years ago, descendants of the ancient Cordilleran culture which wandered south through the Rocky Mountains eventually began to scratch out a living amid its unique climate. As far as the next season goes, we dont have an official announcement yet. River of No Return (1954) Goofs on IMDb: Mistakes, Errors in geography, Spoilers and more. The Nez Perc (named as such by Canadian fur trappers for their traditional pierced noses) were one of the descendants of this clan which remained and became lasting nomads of the forbidding terrain. Calder allows Kay to speak with Weston alone while he and Mark wait in the general store, and although she is disturbed that Weston had not returned for her, she pleads with him to be honest with Calder. Preminger did not finish River of No Return. From then on, he usually conveyed his directions to Monroe through either Robert Mitchum or assistant director Paul Helmick. It earns its name "The River of No Return" for its wilderness shrouded, roadless section which spans a massive piece of country between the outposts of Salmon and Riggins Idaho. Cast: Robert Mitchum (Matt), Marilyn Monroe (Kay), Tommy Rettig (Mark), Rory Calhoun (Weston), Murvyn Vye (Colby), Douglas Spencer (Benson). Opening scene of Robert Mitchum cutting down tree with an axe, you can plainly see where the tree had been cut on both sides with a chainsaw, and the axe finished off the last few wood strands of center to complete the fall of the tree. The river proved a daunting obstacle for early explorers and pioneers. The Salmon River in Idaho, one of the longest free-flowing rivers in the United States, rushes through a geologic wonderland of wooded ridges, eroded bluffs, and stone towers and crags. Even the harrowing flight journey through steep canyons on a bush plane is equally dangerous. "We have got to stop guessing about these relationships. Over the decades roads did find their way to the rivers banks but an 85 mile section of wilderness remains, fittingly named the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness after the conservation minded Idaho senator and native son who served 24 years in congress as a noted progressive, environmental legislator. Weston steals the rifle and horse anyway, and assures Calder that he will return them soon, then knocks him out when Calder attempts to stop him. Robert Mitchum accepted their invitation during a break and they returned to their car, where they each had a beer and talked. Preminger then had an expensive contract that obliged the studio to pay him whether he was working on a film or not, so it was in Zanuck's interest to keep him occupied. Kay is horrified when Weston shoots at Calder, and Mark is forced to shoot Weston in the back with a store rifle in order to protect his father. When she realizes that Calder intends to pursue Weston to Council City rather than wait for him to return, she tries to cut the raft free, but Calder stops her and calls her a tramp for her devotion to a man who would leave a child to die. Kay protests as Calder puts her in a wagon with Mark, but when he tells her that she is going home with them, she happily tosses her red shoes, the last link to her past, into the street. "What counts isn't the frame, it's what you put in it," he said. Floods. 20th Century-Fox head Darryl F. Zanuck saw in the story an opportunity to exploit two of the studio's newest and biggest assets: CinemaScope and Marilyn Monroe. The stranger, Matt Calder, introduces himself to the boy, Mark, as his father, and explains that he has returned after an extended absence so that they can be a family, even though Mark's mother died years earlier. If renewed, 'River of No Return' season 2 can release sometime in October 2020. When they step off the raft after going through the major rapids, they had no blankets but then they are seen camping in the woods with 3 or 4 blankets which are dry and clean. "Some of it had to be done in short takes because she couldn't remember her lines," the director later recalled. It earns its name The River of No Return for its wilderness shrouded, roadless section which spans a massive piece of country between the outposts of Salmon and Riggins Idaho. New artifacts suggest first people arrived in North America earlier than previously thought. They can access the rest of the country only via flights or by passing the Salmon River through jet boats, in order to bring in supplies and necessary items. The river begins on the north slope of Norton Peak as a trickle, but soon swells into a roaring torrent as it absorbs runoff from multiple ranges. Producer: Stanley Rubin Massive sweep boats served as the early supply line into the canyon, but once they reached their destination, currents proved to powerful to return them back to their point of origin thus forcing the hearty men and women to disassemble them and use them for lumber. We will delve into that question, but first lets quickly look into the details of the series. On August 23, 1805, Lewis and Clarks dream of finding a water route across North America ended in failure when a scouting party led by the Shoshone guide Swooping Eagle and William Clark turned back after observing a tumultuous scene with the river roiling, foaming, and beating against the innumerable rocks which crowded its channel.. Because once you go down, it is almost impossible to come back up. According to a November 1952 Daily Variety news item, Lantz was set to write the film's screenplay, but only Frank Fenton is credited onscreen. The vulgar Colby offers to take Kay with them, but repulsed by him, she refuses, and when Calder orders the men to leave, Colby attacks him with a knife. When the mountain lion attacks Matt it sounds like an African lion. Land Although Calder has a low opinion of dance hall girls, he thanks Kay and leaves, and on the ride to their homestead, tells Mark that they are going to have a good life of hunting, fishing and farming. Image of the Day Although a December 31, 1953 entry in Hollywood Reporter's "Rambling Reporter" column indicated that four separate endings for the film had been shot and that the studio was undecided about which one to use, this information has not been verified by another source. River Of No Return (1954) -- (Movie Clip) On It Or Under It, Ben Mankiewicz Intro -- River Of No Return (1954), River Of No Return (1954) -- (Movie Clip) She's A Strong Girl, River Of No Return (1954) -- (Movie Clip) Looking For My Dad, May Though considering the success of shows like Alaska Bush People Discovery would definitely be tempted to bring back the show for another installment. That night, the threesome camps by the river, and Kay tries to explain that Weston, who has had a hard life, is trying to improve himself, even though he went about it the wrong way. Several new scenes were written and filmed, including two moments of physical contact between the two stars: an attempted rape and a scene in which Mitchum gives Monroe a massage. We will update this section as . The river proved a daunting obstacle for early explorers and pioneers. They have honed their survival skills and with the help of friends and neighbors, prepare to endure the harsh, long winters. "100 Miles from Nowhere" River of No Return (TV Episode 2015) Goofs on IMDb: Mistakes, Errors in geography, Spoilers and more. Released in United States 1998 (Shown at Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) as part of program "Twentieth Century Fox and the Golden Age of CinemaScope" July 3 - August 15, 1998. Marilyn didn't question Natasha's judgment. While Kay and Calder then unload the raft, she tries to tell Calder that they could have been friends under different circumstances, and Calder, misunderstanding her intent, forcibly pins her down and kisses her. Viewing the director's rough cut, Zanuck demanded additional footage. Shaped by faulting and uplifting of the central Idaho batholith the downward cutting eventually shepherded its raucous currents to form the channel it follows today. Flight Center. Land Of course, there are multiple tests thrown their way, some expected and others unexpected. Only western to ever be directed by Otto Preminger. Assigned to produce the film for 20th Century-Fox, Stanley Rubin developed the script, first with Lantz, then with Frank Fenton, in late 1952 and early 1953. During the shoot in Jasper, local resident Wilbur Stanley and a friend were watching some of the scenes. Also fea. Their only motto is to be able to lead life on their own terms. They are here because they want to and because they wish to thrive on what Mother Nature provides them. And River of No Return gives us a never-seen-before glimpse into the challenges of back-country life in the Frank Church Wilderness. River of No Return season 1 premiered on October 6, 2019on Discovery Channeland ran for six episodes. Image of the Day I pleaded with her to relax and speak naturally but she paid no attention." Land. Copyright 2023 Salmon River Outfitters Association. River of No Return (1954) began as an idea of writer Louis Lantz, who proposed an Old West variation on Vittorio De Sica's The Bicycle Thief (1948), with the hero now a farmer who loses his horse (and also his gun). While the meat is cooking, Mark reproaches his father for disliking Kay, but Calder grimly states that she is nothing to him, and all he cares about is bringing Weston to justice. Afterward Mitchum got out of the car, threw the bottle across the ground near there, and commented "Best breakfast I ever had!". They encounter trouble in a patch of rapids, but fortunately are near Calder's farm, and he and Mark pull them to safety. Soon after, a group of Indians attack them, but Calder is able to fend them off. Bringing in a unique amalgamation of traditional ways of living and contemporary reality, River of No Return is an amazing watch. The stars of River of No Return are the inhabitants of Frank Church Wilderness. The code has been copied to your clipboard. As in De Sica's film, the stakes are raised by the hero's responsibility for the care of his young son. Every time anybody steps out of the water, shortly after their clothes are immediately dry and pressed and clean. Assigned to produce the film for 20th Century-Fox, Stanley Rubin developed . The film ran over schedule and budget due to mishaps caused when director Otto Preminger insisted that actors perform their own stunts for the scenes of the raft struggling down the rapids. When Calder tells Weston that he is crazy to brave the fierce river rapids, Weston offers to buy his rifle and horse so that he can travel overland. Frank Church - River of No Return Wilderness. The only deeper gorge in North America is nearby Hells Canyon. The Nez Perc considered the Salmon River country sacred as it provided in abundance the sustenance needed to survive thanks to its abundant salmon and steelhead fishery. Sign Up now to stay up to date with all of the latest news from TCM. At the end of the film, a written acknowledgment reads: "The Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation thanks the Canadian Government for its cooperation in the production of this motion picture." The star was cast as a dance-hall singer who befriends the hero (Robert Mitchum) and his son (Tommy Rettig) and sets off with them on a perilous journey in pursuit of the gambler (Rory Calhoun) who has stolen their horse and gun. "River of No Return" was a 1954 Western Directed by Otto Preminger, starring Robert Mitchum, Marilyn Monroe, Rory Calhoun and Tommy Rettig who I remember best as Jeff in the CBS's Lassie television series, from 1954 to 1957.I enjoyed this movie more than I thought I would. Shown at Film Forum in New York City June 10 & 11, 1989. To view this content, please use one of the following compatible browsers: A frontier farmer takes off with his son and a saloon singer after the man who stole his rifle and his horse. Calder refuses, citing his need to protect the farm against the ever-present threat of Indian attack. In River of No Return, CinemaScope enables Preminger to keep characters and settings in a dynamic but coherent relationship over extended duration. The news item also announced that the film would be shot on the Salmon River in Idaho. Calder's actions are stopped by a cry from Mark, who is being stalked by a mountain lion. According to Hollywood Reporter news items, filming was suspended twice because of injuries suffered by Marilyn Monroe, and several modern sources have commented on the physical hardships endured by Monroe, Robert Mitchum and Tommy Rettig during production. It earns its name The River of No Return for its wilderness shrouded, roadless section which spans a massive piece of country between the outposts of Salmon and Riggins Idaho. Director: Otto Preminger The same is true for Mitchum. Floods and new infrastructure have long since separated the distinctive bend in the river that was portrayed by landscape painter Thomas Cole in 1836. Cinematography: Joseph LaShelle NASA Earth Observatory images by Lauren Dauphin, using Landsat and topographic data from the U.S. Geological Survey Story by Adam Voiland. Mark is delighted to see Kay, who tells him that she and Weston are now married. 2023 Turner Classic Movies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. However, it is no easy feat to cross the white rapids that grace the Salmon. Music: Cyril J. Mockridge The daring homesteaders love their independence and have chosen to adopt a lifestyle, packed with adventure and survival skills. Hollywood Reporter news items do note, however, that retakes for the picture were directed in mid-November and mid-December 1953 by Jean Negulesco, who was filling in for the out-of-town Otto Preminger. The Salmon River is among the longest free-flowing rivers in the United States. River of No Return started shooting on location in Alberta in July 1953. When gold miners and lumberjacks flocked to the area in the 1860s, they had so much trouble getting boats up the river that it simply became known as the river of no returna name that stuck. At last understanding what his father had done, Mark reconciles with him, and Kay sadly heads to the saloon. Though considering the success of shows like Alaska Bush People Discovery would definitely be tempted to bring back the show for another installment. "Our picture is inarticulate," he complained. This remote land includes 2.3 million acres of secluded wilderness, comprising several mountain ranges, split by deep canyons and the forks of the Salmon River. When the mountain lion attacks Matt it sounds like an African lion. The chords Kay plays on the guitar do not match the chords necessary for that particular song. The Salmon River of Idaho cuts a swath of country wild and rugged, inhabited over the eons by wandering nomads and wayward hermits.