This review refers to "The Diamond Collection" DVD(20th cent fox) of "The River of No Return".......Think maternal instincts can't be sexy? Snuggle up to this romantic adventure, and let Marilyn Monroe sing you a lullaby in "The River of No Return" and decide for yourself! Also starring Robert Mitchum and Rory Calhoun as the men in her life, it's the perfect rainy afternoon flick.
After the death of his wife, Matt Calder(Mitchum) is starting life anew with his young son Mark(Tommy Rettig). He has a little cabin in the beautiful mountains of the Northwest and is going to teach Mark to become a man. But there's trouble amiss.... Harry Weston(Calhoun),a merciless gambler, beats and robs Calder of his gun and his horse, leaving him injured and defenseless against an impending Indian attack. Weston's fiancee(Monroe), the gorgeous saloon singer with a heart, stays on to nurse Calder back to health and look after the boy. But..there's no time to hang around, the Indians are getting closer and the three take off on a raft down river to escape the Indians and to find Weston.
The adventure begins as they fight off the Indians,and the elements, try to keep from starving, learn each other's secrets and find love.The dazzling cinematography capturing the river, the mountains, and the wooded areas is second only to Marilyn's beauty.You'll be taken in by the story and the scenery in this wonderful film directed by Otto Preminger. Monroe, Mitchum and Calhoun will cast their spells on you.
You'll be amazed by the restoration and outstanding transfer to the DVD 20th Cent Fox has made of this nearly 50 year old film. The Anamorphic Widescreen(2.55:1) picture takes in every bit of the beauty of the Northwest wilderness. The technicolor is bright and doesn't look in the least washed out.The audio in 4.0 Dolby Surround is wonderful, you'll think Marilyn and her guitar are right there in the room singing to you! The DVD "extras" include a comparison of the restoration with the original and a still galley with lots of photos. It may be viewed in French(Stereo) and has subtitles in English and Spanish. It's a great edition to any Classic Film collection.
Fall in love again.......Laurie
more of marilyn:Marilyn Monroe: Diamond Collection
In 1954 MM was voted Photoplay magazines favorite female actress (Todays equivalent is "Peoples Magazines). MM was reaching her prime and everyone loved Marilyn. Unfortunately many critics and fans would not accept Marilyn's dramatic talents and only loved her in comedies.
Well ladies and Gentlemen now MM's three greatest dramatic roles are now available in the Diamond Collection II.
The "River Of No Return" was one of the first CinemaScope, Technicolor, with stereophonic sound. Now this has been digitally transferred to DVD with Anamorphic WideScreen (enhanced for 16x9 tvs), masterfull digital color and digital sound. The picture 7 sound quality of this DVD is outstanding.
This movies has it all; a dynamic adventure story, Outstanding Actors Marilyn Monroe magical and beautiful. Robert Mitchum the perfect match for Marilyn (their film chemistry is real). Tommy Rettig (later to play Jeff on the tv show "Lassie) as Mitchums son. Rory Calhoun as the perfect bad guy gambler louse boyfriend of Marilyn. Director Otto Preminger performs his visual magic of this very picturesque out door adventure.
Summary: Beaten & robbed Mitchum, his son & bad guy saloon girlfriend (Marilyn)are left behind to die in Indian country by bad guy (Calhoun). Their only escape is down the "River Of No Return" on a raft. This perilous journey has hero (Mitchum), son (Rettig) & herione (Monroe) fighting Indians, Trappers, mountain lions and the rapid rich river. Mitchum's only focus is to get Calhoun.
Marilyn acts beautifully with fresh believable performance as the frontier saloon girl. Mitchum is the perfect leading man (Marilyns best romantic leading man). It is truly to bad people haven't until now on DVD been able to see MM as a very talented dramatic actress. Now for the first time we can on this digital DVD.
Extras include: Trailer, Restoration comparisons & film gallery.
Sit back and enjoy MM's acting versatility, beauty and cinema magic. This is Marilyns greatest love story. Enjoy.
Buy River of No Return (1954) Now
Okay, Marilyn Monroe does not look like the authentic 1880s saloon girl..... but who cares, she is marvelous in this western. Robert Mitchum is also superb in this gorgeous restoration on DVD.It should be noted that to Marilyns credit, she DID most of her own stunts, and she was also seriously injured during the shoot in the Canadian Rockies. Most actresses would never do their own stunts in a movie like this. Running the rapids on a flat wooden raft... but she did, and she looked like she knew what she was doing as well! Of course, we see her in 3 Travilla gowns that are breathtakingly all Marilyn.
I love this movie... it has scenery, music, Robert and Marilyn, a bad guy, and pre-Lassie Tommy Retig, who is great in his role as well. This is grand entertainment and a quality restoration.
Read Best Reviews of River of No Return (1954) Here
Mitchum rescues Calhoun and Marilyn from a leaky raft; Calhoun returns the favour by stealing his horse and abandoning them (along with Mitchum's young son) to hostile Indians. This film isn't great by any stretch of the imagination, yet it presents the 27 year-old Monroe at her most beautiful. While the dialogue in this film leaves something to be desired, (Monroe herself was not pleased with having to do this film she thought she deserved better material by 1954) the chemistry between Monroe and Mitchum is very evident and the gorgeous Canadian Rockies scenery is breathtaking in Technicolor.Want River of No Return (1954) Discount?
Marilyn doesn't play a dolly-girl in this film. She plays a very human female who has seen hardships and goes through many in the film, and takes it like a toughened woman. I've never seen her quite like this in any of her other films. I love all of her films, but this is a stand-out and unique. I wouldn't rate it as one of her best films, but she IS super in it. It's a Level 2 Marilyn film, not quite up there with How to Marry a Millionaire and The Seven Year Itch, but still pretty darn good!Robert Mitchum is, as always, superb, and there is a good chemistry between the two. A definite must on DVD for any Marilyn fan. If only somewhat interested get the VHS, but Marilyn fans and Western fans will want the Widescreen DVD.
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