Makeup In The Movies: River of No Return

By Sheila Arkee

If there’s one thing you might not know about me, it’s that I’m a major old timey movie junkie, especially those of the musical variety. It’s a passion that was cut in my youth, when my major source of entertainment was tons of VHS tapes from the local library.

From Gypsy, Auntie Mame, Meet Me In St. Louis, Fiddler on the Roof, The King and I, Oklahoma, you name it, I can randomly belt out a tune from any of those films. Secretly, I’ve always wanted to perform in a musical, but for know I’ll stick to car karoake, which is starting to drive my young son crazy, but that’s one of my maternal duties.

After being burned out by too many episodes of Honey Boo Boo Tiara Hardcore Pawn Real Fake Housewives Overindulged Elites types of shows, I’ve been watching more old school films on AMC which are like being fed fresh baked bread and butter after a lifetime of saltines and margerine.  The story lines and actual acting reel me in, but this doesn’t always mean the makeup and wardrobe are historically accurate or realistic.

Take for example River of No Return with Marilyn Monroe and Robert Mitchum.

Let me just say, hubba hubba Robert Mitchum, who I only really knew as the kindhearted hobo in the ABC made for tv movie A Family For Joe back in the early 90′s. He had a career and a life before becoming an actor, which I find fascinating. It’s never too late to pursue your dreams.

And then there’s Marilyn Monroe’s makeup, which is a blog post all unto itself.

It’s gorgeous makeup – coral lips and a cut crease with a medium brown shadow that somehow stays exactly the same from her time as an entertainer through being almost drowned in rapids, charging through the woods, and constantly facing bodily harm.

How’d she fit all the makeup and accoutrements in that little satchel?  Did she freshen up with berries she foraged for in the woods? Those lips didn’t budge, and this drove me crazy through the entire movie. Unrealistic, but great plot line and then there’s that Robert Mitchum.

What are some of your favorite old films?