River of No Return

River of No Return


20th Century-Fox, 1954, Color, 91 minutes, ***

Released April, 1954



The title river unites a farmer recently released from prison, his young son, and an ambitious saloon singer. In order to survive, each must be purged of anger, and each must learn to understand and care for the others.


Produced by: Stanley Rubin

Directed by: Otto Preminger

Screenplay: Frank Fenton (from a story by Louis Lantz)

Music: Cyril J. Mockridge

Musical Direction: Lionel Newman

Director of Photography: Joseph La Shelle

Art Direction: Lyle Wheeler, Addison Hehr

Set Decorations: Walter M. Scott, Chester Bayhi

Special Photographic Effects: Ray Kellogg

Film Editor: Louis Loeffler

Wardrobe Direction: Charles LeMaire

Costumes Designed by: Travilla

Vocal Direction: Ken Darby

Songs: Lyrics by Ken Darby, Music by Lionel Newman

Orchestration: Edward B. Powell

Choreography: Jack Cole

Makeup Artist: Ben Nye

Sound: Bernard Freericks, Roger Heman

Assistant Director: Paul Helmick

Technical Color Consultant: Leonard Doss

Cinemascope Lenses By: Bausch & Lomb



Cast: Robert Mitchum [Matt Calder], Marilyn Monroe [Kay Weston], Rory Calhoun [Harry Weston, Gambler], Tommy Rettig [Mark Calder], Murvyn Vye [Dave Colby, Prospector], Douglas Spencer [Sam Benson, Prospector], Paul Newlan [Prospector], Arthur Shields [Minister at Tent City], Don Beddoe [Ben, Council City Shopkeeper], Edmund Cobb [Town Barber], Ralph Sanford [Bartender], Fred Aldrich, Harry Wilson [Barflies at Camp Saloon], Harry Seymour [Piano Player], Geneva Gray, Ann McCrea [Dance Hall Girls], Barbara Nichols [Blonde Dancer], Jarma Lewis [Saloon Dancer], Fay Morley [Dancer], John Cliff [Leering Man], John Doucette [Man in Saloon], Jack Mather [Dealer at Card Table], Ed Hinton [Gambler], Will Wright [Trader], John Veitch, Hal Baylor, Mitchell Lawrence, Larry Chance [Young Punks]



Musical Program: [0:01] River of No Return (sung by Tennessee Ernie Ford and Chorus behind titles); [0:05] One Silver Dollar (sung by Marilyn Monroe in tent city saloon); [0:11] I'm Gonna File My Claim (sung by Marilyn Monroe in tent city saloon); [0:26] Down in the Meadow (sung by Marilyn Monroe at Matt Calder's cabin); [0:40] Down in the Meadow (reprised by Marilyn Monroe at camp site); [1:27] The River of No Return (sung by Marilyn Monroe and Men's Chorus in saloon at Council City); [1:30] The River of No Return (finale reprise sung by Tennessee Ernie Ford and Chorus)