Behind the Scenes of River of No Return: Marilyn Monroe’s Near-Drowning and the Making of a Western Musical Classic

In 1954, the classic Western musical River of No Return hit the big screen, bringing together two of Hollywood’s biggest stars, Robert Mitchum and Marilyn Monroe, in a high-stakes film set in the rugged landscapes of the Northwestern United States. Directed by Otto Preminger, the film was a Technicolor spectacle shot in the Canadian Rockies, showcasing the potential of CinemaScope for the first time. However, the film’s production was not without its challenges, most notably an incident in which Monroe nearly drowned during filming, adding an unexpected layer of drama to an already difficult shoot.

A Challenging Film Location and Context

Set in 1875, River of No Return follows Matt Calder (Robert Mitchum), a widower just out of prison, who embarks on a perilous journey to reunite with his son, Mark (Tommy Rettig). Monroe plays Kay Weston, a saloon singer left in charge of the boy after her fiancé, Harry Weston (Rory Calhoun), betrays them. As the group navigates a dangerous river, they must contend with both nature and the treachery of those around them.

Filming took place in some of the most visually stunning, but logistically challenging, locations in Canada, including Jasper, Banff National Park, and Lake Louise in British Columbia. The stunning backdrop of the Canadian Rockies not only contributed to the film’s aesthetic appeal but also played a crucial role in the visual storytelling, with its sweeping landscapes heightening the drama of the characters’ river journey. Monroe and her co-stars stayed in iconic locations such as Becker’s Bungalows and the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, but the temperamental weather conditions often delayed filming and added to the stress on set.

The Near-Drowning Incident: A Scary Moment on Set

Perhaps the most dramatic and unforgettable moment during filming was Marilyn Monroe’s near-drowning while shooting a scene in the river. As she was filming in chest-high waders, Monroe slipped on a rock and fell into the rapids, swept away by the current. Quick-thinking Robert Mitchum and other crew members jumped in to rescue her, preventing a tragedy. However, Monroe suffered a sprained ankle, which some reports later misidentified as a broken ankle.

The incident, widely covered in contemporary press outlets like the Calgary Herald on August 14, 1953, with the headline “Marilyn Monroe Nearly Drowned,” marked a significant moment in the production, forcing Monroe to take time off to recover. Photographs taken by John Vachon for Look magazine during this period show her posing with crutches, highlighting how her injury impacted her mobility and ability to perform during the production.

The Strained Production: Tensions Behind the Scenes

The near-drowning incident was just one of many hurdles faced during the production of River of No Return. Director Otto Preminger’s exacting and often overbearing style clashed with Monroe’s more sensitive personality, creating tensions on set. Preminger insisted on his actors performing their own stunts, which included the dangerous river rapids scenes. Though some accounts suggest that stunt performers handled the most hazardous parts, the incident underscored the physical risks involved in the shoot.

Adding to the pressure was the presence of Joe DiMaggio, Monroe’s then-husband, who visited the set and reportedly added personal stress to an already difficult situation. These challenges, combined with the heavy rainfall and difficult filming conditions, stretched the film’s budget and production schedule, pushing what was intended as a low-budget Western into a more ambitious project that used the new CinemaScope technology.

Critical Reception and Legacy

When River of No Return was released in 1954, the film received mixed reviews. Critics praised the stunning cinematography and the Canadian Rockies’ majestic backdrop, as well as the strong performances by Mitchum and Monroe. However, some found Monroe’s performance distracting, with her diction, influenced by her acting coach Natasha Lytess, criticized as overly mannered. The film, while noted for its star power, is often seen as a minor entry in both Mitchum’s and Monroe’s careers.

For Monroe, River of No Return was another role in a string of films that reflected her growing weariness with typecasting. Her role as a saloon singer did little to break her image as a glamorous screen icon, and she later expressed dissatisfaction with many of the roles she was being offered during this period.

A Film of Real-Life Drama

The near-drowning incident has become an integral part of the lore surrounding River of No Return, adding a layer of real-life drama to an already tumultuous production. Beyond the logistical challenges and Monroe’s personal struggles, the film serves as a testament to her resilience, with the actress pushing through physical discomfort and emotional strain to complete the film.

Though River of No Return may not have reached the heights of some of the other films in Monroe’s career, it remains a significant moment in Hollywood history. The film’s blend of Western adventure, musical elements, and the star power of Mitchum and Monroe has ensured its place in cinema history. The near-drowning incident, in particular, serves as a reminder of the physical and emotional toll that Monroe faced throughout her career, and the enduring resilience she demonstrated in the face of adversity.