You’ll Fall for Niagara

It is rather unusual to see a film-noir made in glorious Technicolor – though this is exactly what the 1953 crime thriller Niagara is.

Director Henry Hathaway swaps the moody shades of black and white for strikingly vivid colours as we watch two couples cross paths in stunning 1950’s Niagara Falls, Ontario (the film was almost completely shot on location). The newlywed couple consists of the always cheerful Ray (Max Showalter) and Polly Cutler (Jean Peters), who unluckily meet George (Joseph Cotten) and Rose Loomis (Marilyn Monroe) – a pair that could only be described as being ‘on the rocks’ – as a result of a mixup at the motel where they are booked to stay. George is moody and violent, so Rose uses his fragile state as an excuse to stay in the room the Cutler’s are supposed to be enjoying. Yet, when she does leave the cabin, she enjoys her time on the scenic town in the arms of another man. Watch out for her sultry walk – it could make a chaste man gawk.

The couples become acquaintances in the comfortable rental cabins overlooking the falls, that is until things turn sour and the sultry dame plans a rather foolhardy crime with her lover – bringing the innocent and cute couple into a precariously dangerous situation (especially Polly – who always seems to be in the wrong place at the wrong time).

Following the shocking crime, Ray and Polly begin to look out for Rose, yet the good girl soon finds that things are not what they seem. This all leads to a dangerous roller coaster ride of a finale that I will not spoil.

Niagara is a stunningly shot film that captures the beautiful nature and historic landmarks of a city that has changed a lot in the sixty plus years since the motion picture was made there. I feel somewhat divided on the choice of shooting it in colour, as the greys may have better served the film-noir storyline, though, on the other hand, the luscious sightseeing spots and the two leading ladies (especially Monroe) pop in every frame Hathaway shoots. The numerous shades of vividness truly capture a bygone era of the retreat town and adds a different, lighter dimension to the crime flick. This aspect will most likely leave cinephiles divided – feel free to comment below and let me know what you think.

The half sheet poster for Niagara.

I must also mention the striking poster that was created to advertize this film. It consists of a stunning image of Monroe lying on her side with the falls flowing over her – the powerful natural wonder is also her stunning dress!

Hathaway also oozes a Hitchcockian vibe – this film feels in many ways like a precursor to 1954’s Dial M for Murder and 1958’s Vertigo. The plot can be somewhat linked to the former, while the crime committed at great heights and other smaller connections create a bond to the latter. Though this motion picture cannot compare to these two brilliant pictures, it still stands out as a slightly above average thriller that has numerous things going for it – including the impressive town and entertaining performances. So, don’t be afraid to visit this natural scenic locale, just remember to bring a change of clothes.