Niagara

There are two cities with the same name, Niagara Falls, one in the State of New York and the other in the Province of Ontario.  Between them is the world famous Niagara Falls.

"Formed by the Niagara River, which drains Lake Erie into Lake Ontario, Niagara Falls has the highest flow rate of any waterfall in North America that has a vertical drop of more than 50 meters (160 feet). During peak daytime tourist hours, more than 168,000 cubic meters (5.9 million cubic feet) of water goes over the crest of the falls every minute.  Niagara Falls is famed for its beauty and is a valuable source of hydroelectric power."  It used to be considered an ideal location for a honeymoon. 

In 1929, after her graduation from college in Oswego, NY, my mother, the former Margaret Karch, took a job as a teacher in Niagara Falls, NY.  Early in 1930, she returned to Oswego and married my father, Harry Lasky.  My mother once confided in me that she had to borrow money from my father during her year in Niagara Falls.  During my youth, my family and I vacationed at least once at Niagara Falls, Ontario, a trip of 162 miles (260 km) from Oswego.

In 1953, Henry Hathaway directed the motion picture Niagara which starred Marilyn Monroe, Joseph Cotton and Jean Peters.  It was a thriller movie that was filmed on location in Niagara Falls, Ontario.

Ray and Polly Cutler (Peters) arrive at a hotel (Rainbow Cabins) in Niagara Falls, Ontario on their delayed honeymoon only to find their reserved cabin (with a beautiful view of the Falls) still occupied by George (Cotton) and Rose (Monroe) Loomis.

George, asleep, has "not quite been himself."  The Cutlers politely accept a less desirable cabin so as not to disturb George.

George and Rose have a very volatile marriage. She is young and very attractive. He is much older, jealous, depressed and irritable. 

While touring the Scenic Tunnels under the Falls, Polly sees Rose passionately kissing another man.

The next day, Rose lures George into following her to where her lover is waiting to kill him. To let Rose know that George is dead, her lover will request the Rainbow Tower Carillon play the song "Kiss". When she hears the tune being played on the carillon bells, Rose concludes George is dead.

In fact, it is George who has killed the other man, thrown his body into the Falls, and collected his shoes at the exit instead of his own. This leads the police to believe that George is the victim. 

When the body is retrieved, the police bring Rose to the morgue to identify George's body. When the cover is lifted from the face and she recognizes the dead man, Rose collapses before saying anything and is admitted to a hospital. 

George has the carillon play "Kiss" again to panic Rose, who flees the hospital, intending to cross the border back to New York State. Finding George waiting for her at the border, Rose tries to escape,  hiding in the carillon bell tower. George catches up to her and strangles her beneath the bells, which remain silent. 

This is not the end of the film, but it is for me.  Poor Rose, Poor Marilyn.