Niagara (1953)

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

Director:

Henry Hathaway

Writers:

Charles Brackett, Walter Reisch

Stars:

Marilyn Monroe, Joseph Cotten, Jean Peters

Cast

Complete credited 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

Storyline

George and Rose Loomis are honeymooning at a Niagara Falls motel. She plots with Ted Patrick to do him in, but all does not go smoothly. For one thing, after Loomis is reported missing Polly Cutler spies him at the motel but her husband Bud thinks she's imagining it. Marilyn sings "Kiss."

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Plot Keywords:

niagara falls | record player | wife plots to kill husband | suspicion | american canadian border | 

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Taglines:

A raging torrent of emotion that even nature can't control!

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Genres:

Film-Noir | Thriller

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

February 1953 (USA)

Also Known As:

Torrente pasional

Filming Locations:

3620 Bridgewater St, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$1,250,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The model car that George Loomis (Joseph Cotten) is making in the film is a 1907 Maxwell. This is a nod to co-star Don Wilson, who plays the boisterous businessman J.J. Kettering. Wilson was the longtime announcer on Jack Benny's radio show. On the show, Jack Benny's car was a 1907 Maxwell. Its sputtering, coughing, wheezing engine (a vocal sound effect provided by Mel Blanc) was a well-known recurring gag on the show.

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Goofs

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.

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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!

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Connections

Referenced in Vida conyugal sana (1974)

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Soundtracks

Kiss
(uncredited)
Music by Lionel Newman
Lyrics by Haven Gillespie
Played on the phonograph and sung in part by Marilyn Monroe

User Reviews

Atmospheric thriller set in breathtaking surroundings.

Although I think Marilyn Monroe suited comedies better, this somewhat hitchcockian thriller is nevertheless a convincing demonstration of her more serious acting abilities, and also one of the finest films she starred in.

"Niagara" introduces Monroe as a seductive, wily wife wanting to get rid of her jealous husband (a very good Joseph Cotten). Her lover, an awfully small and stereotypical role, is played by Richard Allan.

Funnily enough, it seems that it's Jean Peters who has the film's biggest part. As the innocent honeymooner, her character is clearly designed as a contrast to Monroe.

The breathtaking surroundings of the Niagara Falls are a significant supplement to the film's atmosphere.