Niagara (1953)

A young married couple (Jean Peters, Max Showalter) arrive on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls for a delayed honeymoon that he hopes to combine with a business trip. At their cabin, they meet an emotionally disturbed man (Joseph Cotten) and his sexy young wife (Marilyn Monroe) and become involved in a murder plot that backfires. 1953 was Monroe's breakthrough year (her other films for the year were GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES and HOW TO MARRY A MILLIONAIRE) after toiling in small supporting roles since the late 1940s. Shot in vivid three strip Technicolor, she's at her most erotically sensual here, you can see why she'd drive Cotten crazy with jealousy. Squeezed into the tightest of dresses, she moves like a jello mold on a shaky table. She's the reason to watch this color noir and the film never recovers after she disappears from the story. Poor Jean Peters, normally a lovely presence in her own right, she's aced by the competition. Directed by veteran Henry Hathaway (KISS OF DEATH). With Lurene Tuttle, Richard Allan, Dennis O'Dea, Harry Carey Jr., Henry Beckman and Russell Collins.