"River's End" uses one of the worst and more common cliches in old movies and TV shows...the identical stranger! You'd think watching these many films and shows that we all have doubles all over the place! In fact, it's extremely rare...and never are the pair truly identical...except in films/TV!
When the film begins, John is on trial in Canada for murder. He is convicted but soon manages to escape...and he's gone for many, many months hiding out in the wilderness of the old Northwest Territories. Soon a Mountie, Sergeant Conniston, is sent to find John....and the Mountie is John's double...and NO ONE recognizes this!! Talk about suspending disbelief!!!
After many more months, John stumbles upon the injured Sergeant and he takes him to his cabin and nurses him. Sadly, the Sergeant STILL dies a few days later...but only after he's convinced that John is innocent. So, he persuades John to assume his identity and work as a Mountie to find the true murderer! And, because they are such perfect matches, no one seems to take much notice. And, when they note that Sergeant Conniston has forgotten something, they pretty much ignore it or chalk it up to the long time he was in the Canadian wild.
Dennis Morgan plays both roles and he does a fine job...as you'd expect from this excellent actor. But the film clearly is a B-movie from Warner...and like many Bs the script is a bit brainless! But, it IS well done despite this and is watchable....and did I mention brainless?! After all, the trial and murder occur in the town of River's End....and after John replaces the Sergeant, the rest of the film takes place in the same town...and none of the locals notice!! And, don't get me started about the Sergeant's sister and the budding romance between her and John!!
When the film begins, John is on trial in Canada for murder. He is convicted but soon manages to escape...and he's gone for many, many months hiding out in the wilderness of the old Northwest Territories. Soon a Mountie, Sergeant Conniston, is sent to find John....and the Mountie is John's double...and NO ONE recognizes this!! Talk about suspending disbelief!!!
After many more months, John stumbles upon the injured Sergeant and he takes him to his cabin and nurses him. Sadly, the Sergeant STILL dies a few days later...but only after he's convinced that John is innocent. So, he persuades John to assume his identity and work as a Mountie to find the true murderer! And, because they are such perfect matches, no one seems to take much notice. And, when they note that Sergeant Conniston has forgotten something, they pretty much ignore it or chalk it up to the long time he was in the Canadian wild.
Dennis Morgan plays both roles and he does a fine job...as you'd expect from this excellent actor. But the film clearly is a B-movie from Warner...and like many Bs the script is a bit brainless! But, it IS well done despite this and is watchable....and did I mention brainless?! After all, the trial and murder occur in the town of River's End....and after John replaces the Sergeant, the rest of the film takes place in the same town...and none of the locals notice!! And, don't get me started about the Sergeant's sister and the budding romance between her and John!!