River of No Return (1954)

Directed by
Otto Preminger

Writing credits
Louis Lantz (story)
Frank Fenton (screenplay)

Taglines
MARILYN MONROE...Sultry, flaming, exciting as never before - on a desperate river journey...experiencing the violence and madness of desperate men!

Reckless, Roaring, Adventure of the Great Northwest Gold Rush Days!

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)

Plot

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.

Trivia
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. 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.