On This Day

River of No Return released

April 30th 1954

11:36 30 April 2024

'River of No Return' opened in theaters in the US on this day in 1954. Otto Preminger's western, starring Robert Mitchum and Marilyn Monroe, from a screenplay by Frank Fenton is based on a story by Louis Lantz, who took his premise from the Italian film 'Bicycle Thieves' (1948).

The shoot was a difficult one with Preminger clashing with Monroe's acting coach and having his star have to sit out filming for several days with her foot in a cast after she nearly drowned. The director also had to contend with frequent rain and Mitchum's heavy drinking.

The movie received mixed reviews but the star power of its two leads ensured it performed well at the box office.