foreign souvenir booklet for Red River (1948)

original British presskit for Red River (1948)

Montgomery Clift is down and John Wayne clutches his side in a scene from Red River (1948)

Red River

original publicity still of the cattle drive in Red River (1948)

John Wayne as Thomas Dunson in an original publicity still for Red River (1948). This was John’s first of five films with Howard Hawks, and the first blockbuster hit of Wayne’s career. It was the second most popular film of 1948.

Noah Beery Jr as cowhand Buster McGee in a publicity still for Red River (1948). Noah was born in New York City and had 173 acting credits from 1920 to a 1986 tv movie.

Montgomery Clift as Matthew Garth in a publicity still for Red River (1948). It was Monty’s first film, but because of lengthy post production, The Search (1948) was his film debut.

John Wayne on a cloudy day in a screencap from Red River (1948)

Montgomery Clift in a screencap from Red River (1948)

Montgomery Clift in a publicity pose as Matthew Garth in his first film, Red River (1948). Monty was born in Omaha and had 17 acting credits from 1948 to 1966. His other notable credits include The Search, The Heiress, A Place in the Sun, Hitchcock’s I Confess, From Here to Eternity, Suddenly Last Summer, The Misfits, Judgment at Nuremberg, and John Huston’s screen biography of Freud.

Noah Beery Jr smiles for the camera in a publicity still for Red River (1948). Noah Jr had 173 acting credits in his career. His father, Noah Sr. had 207 acting credits, from a 1913 short to 1945.

Noah Beery and Montgomery Clift in a screencap from Red River (1948)

John Ireland and Montgomery Clift are one of the male couples in Red River (1948)

John Wayne and Montgomery Clift in Red River (1948.) Howard Hawks’ original version featured Walter Brennan’s narration, but because the alternate version with title cards is longer, it was thought that was the “director’s cut” when it was released on video. The narration has been restored on the Criterion dvd and blu-ray.

Noah Beery Jr as Buster McGee aims his rifle at Montgomery Clift in a publicity still for Red River (1948). This is Noah’s fifth film with Howard Hawks, after Only Angels Have Wings, Sergeant York, and Corvette K225. He was also in Viva Villa, but his scenes were deleted.