Niagara (1953)

User Rating:

7.0/10   

Director:

Henry Hathaway

Writers:

Charles Brackett (written by) and
Walter Reisch (written by) ...

Release Date:

February 1953 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Film-Noir | Thriller

Tagline:

Marilyn Monroe and "Niagara" a raging torrent of emotion that even nature can't control!

Plot:

As two couples are visiting Niagara Falls, tensions between one wife (Marilyn Monroe) and her husband reach the level of murder.

Plot Keywords:

Niagara Falls | Honeymoon | Murder | Couple | Motel

Cast

Marilyn Monroe	...	Rose Loomis
Joseph Cotten	...	George Loomis
Jean Peters	...	Polly Cutler
Max Showalter	...	Ray Cutler (as Casey Adams)
Denis O'Dea	...	Inspector Starkey
Richard Allan	...	Patrick
Don Wilson	...	Mr. J.C. Kettering
Lurene Tuttle	...	Mrs. Kettering
Russell Collins	...	Mr. Qua
Will Wright	...	Boatman

Runtime:

92 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Certification:

West Germany:16 (nf) | Canada:PG (video rating) | Australia:PG | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15 | UK:A (original rating) | UK:PG (re-rating) (1987) | USA:Approved (certificate #15990)

Filming Locations:

20th Century Fox Studios - 10201 Pico Blvd., Century City, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation

Trivia:

During the filming of Niagara (1953), Marilyn Monroe was still under contract as a stock actor, thus, she received less salary than her make-up man.

Goofs:

Factual errors: The boat leaves the forebay of the Toronto Power Co., which is about 1/2 mile above the Falls. By the time they start to scuttle the boat, they are shown about 300 yards above the Falls, yet still have time to smash holes in the bottom of the boat. At a current speed of about 12 knots (as stated by one Niagara Parks Policeman in the film), they are moving at 440 yards per minute, thus would have less than 30 seconds before going over the Falls.

Quotes:

Customs Officer: How long do you plan to be here?
Ray Cutler: Three days.
Customs Officer: Honeymooners?
Polly Cutler: That's right.
Customs Officer: That isn't liquor you have in that case under your coat, is it?
Ray Cutler: Uh, books. I'm going to catch up on my reading.
Customs Officer: Reading!

Movie Connections:

Featured in Niagara Falls (2006) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Kiss

Spectacular views of the Falls and Marilyn...

Marilyn Monroe in one of her earlier roles showed she had promise as a dramatic actress that was never fully realized on screen. We all know she was fine in comedies but she acquits herself well in the role of a young wife anxious to rid herself of her jealous, mentally unstable husband (Joseph Cotten) and plots with her lover to do so. The lovers are spotted by another honeymooner (Jean Peters) who is drawn into the plot by circumstances beyond her control.

Jean Peters is excellent as "the other woman", smart and strong-willed and able to cope with the unstable husband when she has to. Joseph Cotten by this time had played several stressed, shell-shocked veterans and does his usual fine job here. Marilyn is garbed in her most revealing wardrobe and makes the sluttish housewife a real and pitiful being by the time she confronts her husband in the bell tower.

Atmospheric film noir type of story is well photographed for maximum effect among the famous Falls. With swirling mists, choppy waters, bell tower ringing ominously, and murderous intent--it's makes an absorbing, fast-moving melodrama that is chillingly effective and at the same time enjoyable to watch.