Niagara (1953)

It’s difficult to make a noir film work in a brightly colored landscape, but this one does even while much of the film is presented as an advertisement to visit the Falls, rainbows included. Jean Peters and Max Showalter are on a delayed honeymoon where they become acquainted with philandering Marilyn Monroe and her older, troubled war veteran husband Joseph Cotten. There’s great use of the locations around the Falls to create atmosphere, weaving a dark thread through the naturally bright vacation destination. From her figure and pert nose to her platinum hair and soft voice, Monroe looks unnaturally beautiful, especially when contrasted with the still-cute, but sexed-down Peters.