The River's Edge (1957) Reviews

• Run for the border

  jjnxn-12013-06-23

  Not a western but a well shot and performed drama set in the West. The story is rather ordinary but benefits from the role reversal of Ray Milland, usually the hero and Anthony Quinn, often the heavy but in opposite roles here. Even at the relatively brief running time the script could have been tightened a bit but overall a good film. One caveat-it would take a great deal to make a woman as stunning as Debra Paget was in her prime look bad but the filmmakers almost achieve that feat. Saddled with unflattering makeup and frightening Lucille Ball red hair that never moves no matter what travail she is enduring her beauty is almost completely obscured.

• A first-class B movie

  MOscarbradley2007-03-31

  A first class B movie from the redoubtable Allan Dwan who, over the years, became something of an expert in making silk purses out of sow's ears. Not that this resembles anything like a sow's ear. It's got a decent script and good performances from Ray Milland as the cold-hearted killer trying to get across the border into Mexico with a suitcase full of money and Anthony Quinn as the farmer who is taking him there. What gives the film its kick is that none of it's three protagonists, (the third, Debra Paget, is the farmer's wife who happens to be the killer's former partner), is particularly noble, (indeed all display varying degrees of rottenness), and all are psychologically very well drawn. It's also very handsomely shot in wide-screen and combines studio and location work to good effect.

• Ray's Dark Side

  telegonus2001-11-16

  Those who think of Ray Milland as a skilled light comedian or an amiable drunk will be surprised by his work in this late Allan Dwan entry. He's mean as can be in this one, and the best thing in the movie, making Anthony Quinn look weak by comparison; not an easy thing to do, but Ray pulls it off with style. Debra Paget is an asset as well in this trim, modest film.

• God still has a sense of humor

  bkoganbing2013-11-28

  Watching The River's Edge today put me in mind of The Treasure Of The Sierra Madre. Just imagine if one of those treasure hunters had been a woman on the trip. Think they had problems then? Ray Milland is the Fred C. Dobbs of the piece. Only he's not looking for gold, he's got a valise with a lot of money in cash. A notorious grifter he's on the run and headed for his former girlfriend Debra Paget. He wants the services of her current husband Anthony Quinn who is a guide and tracker to take him across the Mexican border and away from the law. Given Paget's beauty and her involvement with both of these men you can imagine what a tense trip this was. Milland commits two murders along the way, that of a US Border Patrolmen and Chubby Johnson an old prospector Like The Treasure Of The Sierra Madre 90% of the film is focused on the three leads. At no time is anyone truly sure of how they stand with each other. Paget the most confused of all, she loves her husband Quinn in her own way, but Milland is the guy who always scratched her itch. In the end what happens to Milland is almost eerily reminiscent of what happened to Humphrey Bogart in the previous film. And as I wrote in my review of The Treasure Of The Sierra Madre, God really does have a sense of humor.

• TWO MEN and a GIRL

  vitaleralphlouis2008-03-14

  Now available in DVD, this modern era western concerns a husband (Anthony Quinn), his new wife (Debra Paget), her ex-lover (Ray Milland) and a metal suitcase full of $100 bills. The basic idea involves the ex-lover hiring the husband as a guide to secretly cross into Mexico and abscond with the money -- and to possibly grab back Debra Paget in the process. The story plays out in an interesting manner -- more interesting than any current year movies I can think of -- but no sense saying much more. One thing: Real men, over a certain age, will be interested in knowing that Debra Paget's early scenes show most of her legs, she has two, and both are worth a look (forgetting that she's aged 50 years since 1957). Most of Ms. Paget's screen roles (a Hebrew slave, an Indian girl, etc.) had her covered from neck to toe; except in the sequel to Cheaper By the Dozen where she did that wonderful lithe dance along the beach -- in a knee-length skirt. Nice! Never forget that one! Men just loved Ms. Paget 50 years ago, in any role she played. One special thing in this film are the scenes with Anthony Quinn and Debra Paget where she's cut her arm and he's got to hurt her to administer medical attention. The look and expression of genuine sweet and heartfelt affection that he-man Quinn expresses with few words but expression and movement are 100% on target -- seldom done so well in a movie. Also, his quick-n-quiet Sign of the Cross before he cuts her would make today's Godless and anti-patriotic Hollywood girlie-men cringe. It's good to see a he-man and fine actor in action, and a few candid moments when sweet affection replaces mindless groping.