The river proved a daunting obstacle for early explorers and pioneers. The code has been copied to your clipboard. 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. Land First people in the Americas came by sea, ancient tools unearthed by Idaho river suggest. It flows for a length of 425 miles and transforms into a 7,000 feet rapid between its headwaters. River of No Return chronicles the day-to-day activities of a close-knit community of homesteaders who depend only on themselves while battling the challenging conditions of their homes in the spectacular landscape of Frank Church Wilderness. As far as the next season goes, we dont have an official announcement yet. 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). A couple of minutes later 2 warriors swim out from the bank to the right of the rat. The news item also announced that the film would be shot on the Salmon River in Idaho. 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. They then return to the river, and Calder relates that the Indians call it "the river of no return," because of the rapids. Though many critics would come to regard Preminger as one of the great CinemaScope stylists, he claimed to be indifferent to the shape of the screen. Calder bests his opponent and, taking one of the rifles, boards the raft again with Mark and Kay, who admits that she is not married to Weston. The Salmon River of Idaho cuts a swath of country wild and rugged, inhabited over the eons by wandering nomads and wayward hermits. 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. Art Direction: Addison Hehr, Lyle Wheeler Antony Blinken Blinken Blinken Nike Ching . However, these brave homesteaders continue to navigate the ordinary domestic challenges, that include issues related to home, family, and livelihood. At the saloon, Kay's fianc, gambler Harry Weston, rushes in to tell her that he has won an important gold claim in a poker game and must go to Council City to file the deed. 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. Flight Center. Image of the Day This is the theme song of a 1954 film starring Marilyn Monroe and Robert Mitchum. Bringing in a unique amalgamation of traditional ways of living and contemporary reality, River of No Return is an amazing watch. Before the modern era of hydro dams and pollution the Salmon provided 45% of the stealhead trout and summer and fall Chinook of the entire Columbia watershed. Discovery Channels fascinating nature documentary, River of No Return narrates the livelihood of the sparsely populated watersheds that grace its rugged banks. The raft then enters the worst of the rapids, and after a torturous ride, the group finally reaches Council City. Screenplay: Frank Fenton, based on a story by Louis Lantz Even the harrowing flight journey through steep canyons on a bush plane is equally dangerous. The river proved a daunting obstacle for early explorers and pioneers. 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 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. In several modern interviews, Negulesco stated that he directed Land 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. After Congress set aside land along the riverbanks for conservation in 1980, they called it the Frank Church - River of No Return Wilderness. Robert Mitchum accepted their invitation during a break and they returned to their car, where they each had a beer and talked. The same is true for Mitchum. Every time anybody steps out of the water, shortly after their clothes are immediately dry and pressed and clean. Kay bravely helps to steer through one bad patch, but the exertion and cold make her faint. Image of the Day The same is true for Mitchum. 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 River of No Return season 1 premiered on October 6, 2019on Discovery Channeland ran for six episodes. "We have got to stop guessing about these relationships. As they prepare for a satellite that will measure the height and areal extent of rivers in unprecedented detail, hydrologists have released a better map of North American river widths. Director: Otto Preminger It is sung by the deep-voiced Tex Williams.All the river photos are my own. 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. 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. 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. The journey by boat includes a tough ride through Class 5 whitewater rapids described as foaming and roaring through rocks in every direction, so as to render the passage of anything impossible.. Mark insists on bidding farewell to Kay, the saloon singer who has been caring for him while he was waiting, and Kay upbraids Calder for neglecting his son. We will update this section as soon as we hear more. Copyright 2023 Salmon River Outfitters Association. ), Released in United States June 1989 (Shown at Film Forum in New York City June 10 & 11, 1989.). C-91m. 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. In River of No Return, CinemaScope enables Preminger to keep characters and settings in a dynamic but coherent relationship over extended duration. We will update this section as . They are here because they want to and because they wish to thrive on what Mother Nature provides them. 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. Based on a story that Preminger did not select or develop, made from a script that had been largely written by the time he was assigned to the film, starring an actress he disliked, and, finally, partly reshot by another director, River of No Return clearly can't be considered a Preminger work in the same right as his independent productions or even most of his previous films for Fox. Sunrise | 347 views, 16 likes, 0 loves, 8 comments, 0 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from Ask Muvi TV: SUNRISE NEWS 18-04-2023 Mark is delighted to see Kay, who tells him that she and Weston are now married. The geology within its canyon walls dates back at least 1.4 billion years to the Precambrian and Paleozoic epochs. Sign Up now to stay up to date with all of the latest news from TCM. The River of No Return. On August 19, Monroe suffered a leg injury during the shooting of a raft scene. "What counts isn't the frame, it's what you put in it," he said. 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." Their only motto is to be able to lead life on their own terms. 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. Hence the name River of No Return. In 1875, the Northwest is filled with gold prospectors, and tent cities are overflowing with the saloon keepers, gamblers and entertainers who hope to profit from them. 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. Acquired April 2, 2011, and February 27, 2011, these natural-color images show rising waters on the Kuiseb River, which flowed all the way to the Atlantic Ocean for the first time in decades. The daring homesteaders love their independence and have chosen to adopt a lifestyle, packed with adventure and survival skills. Only western to ever be directed by Otto Preminger. 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. Whats more? 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. 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. However, this dangerous, yet striking, and unfettered land houses a small community, which is dependent on pilots, boat captains and on one another for their survival. The discovery added to a growing body of evidence that the first people to reach North America may have arrived by boat rather than over a land bridge connecting to Siberia. 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. Floods. Gold fever brought about an era of mining and prospecting that ultimately only managed to produce fewer pinches of gold dust than epic stories of survival and perseverance. New artifacts suggest first people arrived in North America earlier than previously thought. The Salmon River is among the longest free-flowing rivers in the United States. 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., Idaho's Salmon River - The River Of No Return. Though considering the success of shows like Alaska Bush People Discovery would definitely be tempted to bring back the show for another installment. Kay suspects that Weston cheated his opponent, but his pleas that the gold mine represents their chance for a better life persuade her to leave, and soon they are floating in a raft down the river toward Council City. The first season of the show was moderately-received. They have honed their survival skills and with the help of friends and neighbors, prepare to endure the harsh, long winters. 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. Later, Kay is singing in the saloon when Calder storms in and tosses her over his shoulder. (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). Viewing the director's rough cut, Zanuck demanded additional footage. Because once you go down, it is almost impossible to come back up. Monroe insisted on bringing along her acting coach, Natasha Lytess, and deferred to her for guidance on her performance. 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. 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. These remote lands are home to a few fearless homesteaders whose only mode of access is through bush planes or jet boats. According to Preminger, Lytess urged Monroe to drop her characteristic "soft, slurred voice" and "enunciate every syllable distinctly. 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. "Our picture is inarticulate," he complained. 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. This stretch once nearly 200 miles in length with canyon depths upwards of 5,000 feet was and in some regards still is, a one way street. Preminger was by then conveniently out of town, so Jean Negulesco, with whom Monroe had had a happy working relationship on How to Marry a Millionaire (1953), was assigned to shoot the new scenes. Calder's actions are stopped by a cry from Mark, who is being stalked by a mountain lion. According to studio publicity, the picture was filmed in the province of Alberta, Canada, in the Jasper and Banff National Parks, and on the Maligne, Bow and Snake Indian Rivers. For instance, no motor vehicles are allowed outside the property. 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. Cast: Robert Mitchum (Matt), Marilyn Monroe (Kay), Tommy Rettig (Mark), Rory Calhoun (Weston), Murvyn Vye (Colby), Douglas Spencer (Benson). On its 425 mile (684-kilometer) course from the Sawtooth Mountains through central Idaho, not one functioning dam impedes its flow. They encounter trouble in a patch of rapids, but fortunately are near Calder's farm, and he and Mark pull them to safety. 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. Over Rubin's objections, Zanuck assigned Otto Preminger to direct the film. Frank Church - River of No Return Wilderness. He uses the wide screen to emphasize the distance between people in the composition as a meaningful element and to stress the horizontality of the river (which plays a co-starring role in the film) and the solitude of the human protagonists in space. Additionally, they need to return back to their routines the next spring in order to get ready for the upcoming, unforgiving and freezing colder months yet again. 1954, World premiere in Denver, CO: 29 Apr 1954; New York opening: 30 Apr 1954; Los Angeles opening: 5 May 1954, Alberta, Canada; Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada; Banff National Parks, Alberta, Canada; Bow River, Alberta, Canada; Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada; Maligne River, Alberta, Canada; Snake Indian River, Alberta, Canada, 8,064ft Notice how it lacks the straight, sheer walls of the Grand Canyon. Released in United States Spring April 1954. Ancient artifacts found along the Salmon River at Coopers Ferry add yet another dimension to this remarkable river valley. Land Calder apologizes for his earlier behavior, but again refuses to listen when Kay defends Weston. When the Indians attack the raft they are riding along the bank on the left side of the raft. Of course, there are multiple tests thrown their way, some expected and others unexpected. 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. 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. Afterward Mitchum got out of the car, threw the bottle across the ground near there, and commented "Best breakfast I ever had!". Cinematography: Joseph LaShelle 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. When the mountain lion attacks Matt it sounds like an African lion. I pleaded with her to relax and speak naturally but she paid no attention." Realizing that the crew's sympathies were all with the actress, Preminger welcomed her back to the set "with a great display of European manners" (in the words of Shelley Winters, who visited the set). A modern source adds the following crew members to the production: Mitchum's stand-in Tim Wallace; Mitchum's stunt double Roy Jenson; Monroe's stunt double Helen Thurston; Rettig's stunt double Harry Monty; and Stunt coordinator Fred Zindar. River of No Return started shooting on location in Alberta in July 1953. 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