River's End


1h 15m 1930
River's End

Brief Synopsis

An accused killer takes over the life of the Canadian Mountie who died hunting him down.

Film Details

Genre
Western
Drama
Thriller
Release Date
Nov 8, 1930
Premiere Information
not available
Production Company
Warner Brothers Pictures
Country
United States

Technical Specs

Duration
1h 15m
Sound
Mono
Color
Black and White
Theatrical Aspect Ratio
1.37 : 1
Film Length
6,774ft (8 reels)

Synopsis

Conniston goes into the Far North in search of Keith, who is wanted for murder; he gets his man, but on their return trip Conniston dies. MacDonald, Conniston's guide, takes a liking to Keith and suggests that since Keith resembles Conniston, he should pretend to be Conniston. Keith agrees, but when he arrives, he finds that the fraud is unnecessary since he has been cleared of guilt. He meets Conniston's girl, Miriam, who, taken in by the deception, loves him more than the real Conniston; but when she is informed by a jealous suitor, Martin, of Conniston's previous and still valid marriage, Keith is forced to tell Evelyn the truth. He does not reveal the true story to the Mounties and consequently is flogged. But when he leaves town, he finds Evelyn on the boat waiting for him.

Film Details

Genre
Western
Drama
Thriller
Release Date
Nov 8, 1930
Premiere Information
not available
Production Company
Warner Brothers Pictures
Country
United States

Technical Specs

Duration
1h 15m
Sound
Mono
Color
Black and White
Theatrical Aspect Ratio
1.37 : 1
Film Length
6,774ft (8 reels)

Articles

River's End (1940)


A good story always bears repeating, and River's End (1930) is a perfect example of a favorite plot device that captivated audiences of its era. Set in the Canadian Rockies, this chase thriller from director Michael Curtiz involves a case of mistaken identity with one actor playing two roles -- a fugitive on the run and the Mountie in pursuit. In the course of the story, the fugitive (who is falsely accused of murder) eventually assumes the identity of the lawman and wins the affection of his fiancee, who doesn't see through the ruse at first.

In a dual role, Charles Bickford appears opposite himself in several "trick" scenes which required a double exposure process masterminded by cinematographer Robert Kurrle. On the set, relations between Bickford and Curtiz were combative because both men had strong-willed, egocentric personalities; even years later, Bickford would still recall his experiences on River's End with distaste. Previously filmed as a silent movie in 1920, the film was also remade a third time in 1940 with Dennis Morgan doubling as both Sergeant Conniston and the fugitive, John Keith.

Hungarian native Michael Curtiz was recruited by studio mogul Jack Warner and immigrated to the United States in 1926 where he immediately went to work for Warner Bros. In record time, he quickly mastered that uniquely American genre -- the Western -- and River's End is one of his earliest efforts. Already you can see signs of his emerging style -- brisk pacing, a sense of realism, and the ability to elicit strong performances from his cast -- that would later culminate in such box-office triumphs as Dodge City (1939), Virginia City (1940) and Santa Fe Trail (1940).

Director: Michael Curtiz
Screenplay: Charles Kenyon, based on the novel The River's End by James Oliver Curwood
Art Direction: Ben Carre
Cinematography: Robert Kurrle
Editing: Ralph Holt
Music: Erno Rapee
Principal Cast: Charles Bickford (John Keith/Sgt. Conniston), Evelyn Knapp (Miriam), J. Farrell MacDonald (O'Toole), David Torrence (Col. McDowell), ZaSu Pitts (Louise), Walter McGrail (Martin).
BW-74m. Closed captioning.

by Jeff Stafford
River's End (1940)

River's End (1940)

A good story always bears repeating, and River's End (1930) is a perfect example of a favorite plot device that captivated audiences of its era. Set in the Canadian Rockies, this chase thriller from director Michael Curtiz involves a case of mistaken identity with one actor playing two roles -- a fugitive on the run and the Mountie in pursuit. In the course of the story, the fugitive (who is falsely accused of murder) eventually assumes the identity of the lawman and wins the affection of his fiancee, who doesn't see through the ruse at first. In a dual role, Charles Bickford appears opposite himself in several "trick" scenes which required a double exposure process masterminded by cinematographer Robert Kurrle. On the set, relations between Bickford and Curtiz were combative because both men had strong-willed, egocentric personalities; even years later, Bickford would still recall his experiences on River's End with distaste. Previously filmed as a silent movie in 1920, the film was also remade a third time in 1940 with Dennis Morgan doubling as both Sergeant Conniston and the fugitive, John Keith. Hungarian native Michael Curtiz was recruited by studio mogul Jack Warner and immigrated to the United States in 1926 where he immediately went to work for Warner Bros. In record time, he quickly mastered that uniquely American genre -- the Western -- and River's End is one of his earliest efforts. Already you can see signs of his emerging style -- brisk pacing, a sense of realism, and the ability to elicit strong performances from his cast -- that would later culminate in such box-office triumphs as Dodge City (1939), Virginia City (1940) and Santa Fe Trail (1940). Director: Michael Curtiz Screenplay: Charles Kenyon, based on the novel The River's End by James Oliver Curwood Art Direction: Ben Carre Cinematography: Robert Kurrle Editing: Ralph Holt Music: Erno Rapee Principal Cast: Charles Bickford (John Keith/Sgt. Conniston), Evelyn Knapp (Miriam), J. Farrell MacDonald (O'Toole), David Torrence (Col. McDowell), ZaSu Pitts (Louise), Walter McGrail (Martin). BW-74m. Closed captioning. by Jeff Stafford

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