River of No Return is a 1954 American Western musical film directed by Otto Preminger and starring Robert Mitchum and Marilyn Monroe. The screenplay by Frank Fenton is based on a story by Louis Lantz, who borrowed his premise from the 1948 Italian film Bicycle Thieves. The picture was shot on location in the Canadian Rockies in Technicolor and CinemaScope and released by 20th Century Fox. This is as well the first film in which the CinemaScope extension to the 20th Century Fox fanfare was used.
Plot
thumb|alt=Black and white promotional image of Tommy Rettig and Robert Mitchum in the 1954 film River of No Return|left|[[Robert Mitchum with Tommy Rettig in a scene from the film]]Set in the Northwestern United States in 1875, the film focuses on taciturn widower Matt Calder (Robert Mitchum), who has recently been released from prison for killing a man while defending another. He arrives in a boomtown tent city to find his nine-year-old son Mark (Tommy Rettig), who was left with dance hall singer Kay (Marilyn Monroe) after the man Matt hired to deliver him abandoned the boy. Matt promises Mark a life of hunting, fishing, and farming on their homestead.
When Kay's fiancé, gambler Harry Weston (Rory Calhoun) wins a deed to a gold mine in a poker game, they head to Council City on a raft to file the claim. They encounter trouble in the rapids near the Calder farm, but Matt and Mark rescue them. Harry offers to "buy" Matt's rifle and horse to reach Council City, saying he will pay when he returns. When Matt refuses, Harry knocks Matt unconscious and steals the horse and rifle. Kay stays behind to tend to injured Matt. Harry agrees, as he will travel quicker without her and promises to return.
When hostile Indians attack the farm, the three escape on Harry's raft. They set up camp by the river, and Matt and Kay argue about pursuing Harry. Mark overhears their conversation about Matt having been in prison for murder. Matt tells Mark he killed him to protect his friend.
As their journey continues, Kay appreciates Matt's bravery and how he protects Mark and her. They are forced to deal with strong rapids, Kay getting hypothermia, a mountain lion attack; two gold prospectors hunting Harry for stealing their claim, and a second Indian war party.
They arrive in Council City and confront Harry. Harry shoots at Matt, prompting Mark to shoot Harry in the back, using a rifle that he was inspecting in the general store. As a result, Mark comes to understand why his father shot a man in a similar fashion years before.
Kay finds a job at the local saloon. While she is performing, Matt walks into the saloon and throws Kay over his shoulder to take her back to his farm along with Mark. She happily leaves with him. Kay throws her showgirl shoes from their buckboard into the street, saying goodbye to her old life.