**”Niagara”** (1953) is a technicolor film noir that stars Marilyn Monroe in one of her first leading roles. Directed by Henry Hathaway, this thriller combines breathtaking visuals of Niagara Falls with an intense storyline about jealousy, betrayal, and murder, casting Monroe as a femme fatale. Known for its atmospheric cinematography and Monroe’s striking performance, **”Niagara”** solidified her position as a leading lady in Hollywood.

### Film Details:
– **Title**: Niagara
– **Release Year**: 1953
– **Genre**: Film Noir, Thriller, Drama
– **Director**: Henry Hathaway
– **Screenwriters**: Charles Brackett, Walter Reisch, and Richard Breen
– **Cinematography**: Joseph MacDonald
– **Production Company**: 20th Century Fox
– **Runtime**: 92 minutes

### Main Cast:
– **Marilyn Monroe** as Rose Loomis
– **Joseph Cotten** as George Loomis
– **Jean Peters** as Polly Cutler
– **Max Showalter** (credited as Casey Adams) as Ray Cutler
– **Denis O’Dea** as Inspector Starkey

### Plot Summary:
**”Niagara”** follows **Rose Loomis** (Marilyn Monroe) and **George Loomis** (Joseph Cotten), a married couple on vacation at Niagara Falls, though their marriage is far from happy. George, plagued by jealousy and paranoia, senses that Rose is unfaithful, and indeed she is having an affair with a younger man. Rose’s lover hatches a plan to murder George so they can be together, but things take a dark turn when the plot doesn’t go as expected. Meanwhile, another couple, **Polly** (Jean Peters) and **Ray Cutler** (Max Showalter), are honeymooning at the same motel and inadvertently become involved in the sinister events unfolding around them.

As the tension builds, the story escalates toward a shocking climax amidst the thundering backdrop of Niagara Falls. The film keeps the audience in suspense as betrayal and desperation drive the characters toward inevitable tragedy.

### Marilyn Monroe’s Role:
Monroe plays **Rose Loomis**, a seductive and manipulative woman who uses her charm to entrap and deceive those around her. Her performance as a femme fatale was a significant departure from the comedic roles she was known for, displaying a darker, more complex side to her talents. Rose’s character, with her blonde bombshell allure and devious intentions, captivated audiences, and Monroe’s onscreen charisma made her performance unforgettable.

### Themes:
– **Jealousy and Betrayal**: The film examines how jealousy can erode trust and drive people to extreme actions. Rose’s betrayal of George and her unrepentant scheming create a tense atmosphere that propels the story forward.
– **The Femme Fatale**: Monroe’s portrayal of Rose as a femme fatale embodies the dangerous allure of such characters, who manipulate those around them for personal gain. This role defined her as a master of the archetype.
– **Natural Force and Inner Turmoil**: The relentless power of Niagara Falls mirrors the characters’ inner turmoil, highlighting the destructive potential of both nature and human emotions.

### Reception:
**”Niagara”** was a commercial success and received positive reviews, especially for Monroe’s performance, which critics praised for its intensity and allure. The film demonstrated Monroe’s cap ability as a dramatic actress and solidified her status as a leading lady. The cinematography and visual impact of Niagara Falls as a backdrop also drew significant praise, adding to the film’s haunting, suspenseful atmosphere.

### Legacy:
**”Niagara”** is now considered one of Monroe’s finest dramatic performances and is celebrated as a classic example of 1950s film noir. It showcased her ability to take on darker roles and established her as a serious actress capable of portraying complex characters. **”Niagara”** also helped to cement Monroe’s image as a cultural icon, defining the “femme fatale” archetype in film history.

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### Fun Facts:

1. **Technicolor Noir**: Unlike most film noir of the era, which were typically shot in black and white, **”Niagara”** was filmed in vibrant Technicolor, which added a unique visual flair and intensified the drama.

2. **Iconic Scene**: The scene where Monroe walks along the falls in a hot pink dress is one of the most famous images of her career. This sequence helped solidify Monroe’s “blonde bombshell” persona and remains iconic in cinema history.

3. **Real Falls, Real Danger**: The cast and crew filmed on location at Niagara Falls, which added authenticity to the film’s suspenseful scenes. However, working near the powerful falls was challenging and dangerous, adding an element of realism to the dramatic backdrop.

4. **Record-Breaking Monroe**: Monroe’s role in **”Niagara”** made her the highest-paid actress for 20th Century Fox at the time, highlighting her rising star power and the confidence the studio had in her appeal.

5. **Sound of the Falls**: To capture the roaring sound of Niagara Falls, the film crew placed microphones close to the water. This ambient sound contributed to the film’s atmosphere, creating a sense of inescapable tension that mirrored the storyline.

6. **Film Debut of Max Showalter**: This film marked one of the first significant roles for **Max Showalter** (credited as Casey Adams), who played Ray Cutler, the vacationer who inadvertently becomes entangled in Rose and George’s conflict.

7. **A Director’s Experiment**: Director Henry Hathaway often kept Monroe’s character out of the center frame in the beginning of the film, creating a sense of mystery around her character and enhancing her femme fatale aura.

8. **A Complex Role for Monroe**: Although Monroe was known for her comedic and glamorous roles, Rose Loomis was a complex character that required her to tap into darker emotions. Monroe reportedly found the role challenging yet rewarding.

9. **Premiere Controversy**: When **”Niagara”** premiered, some critics argued that Monroe’s character was too risqué for the times, pushing boundaries for female sexuality in film. This controversy only increased Monroe’s allure and contributed to the film’s box-office success.

**”Niagara”** remains a must-watch for fans of classic film noir and Marilyn Monroe alike. Her performance as Rose Loomis is celebrated as one of her most memorable roles, and the movie’s suspenseful narrative, set against the powerful backdrop of Niagara Falls, continues to captivate audiences today.

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