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