Bend of the River

Bend of the River
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Anthony Mann
Produced by	Aaron Rosenberg Frank Cleaver
Screenplay by	Borden Chase
Based on	Bend of the Snake 1950 novel by Bill Gulick
Starring	James Stewart Arthur Kennedy Julie Adams Rock Hudson
Music by	Hans J. Salter
Cinematography	Irving Glassberg
Edited by	Russell F. Schoengarth
Distributed by	Universal-International
Release date	February 13, 1952
Running time	91 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Box office	$3 million (US)

Bend of the River is a 1952 American Western film directed by Anthony Mann and starring James Stewart, Arthur Kennedy, Julie Adams, and Rock Hudson. Based on the 1950 novel Bend of the Snake by Bill Gulick, the film is about a tough cowboy who risks his life to deliver confiscated supplies to homesteaders after gold is discovered in the region.Bend of the River was filmed on location in Sandy River, Mount Hood and Timberline, Oregon. This is the second Western film collaboration between Anthony Mann and James Stewart.

In 1866, remorseful former border raider Glyn McLyntock (James Stewart) is scouting for a wagon train of settlers to Oregon. While he is checking the trail ahead, he rescues Emerson Cole (Arthur Kennedy) from being lynched for stealing a horse. Cole, who says the horse is "not exactly stolen," thinks he's heard of McLyntock, but doesn't pursue the subject. One of the pioneers in the wagon train is the eligible Laurie Baile (Julie Adams). That night, they are attacked by five Shoshone Indians and Laurie is wounded by an arrow. McLyntock and Cole go out to deal with the Shoshones and Cole saves McLyntock's life in the process. McLyntock welcomes Cole, but Jeremy Baile (Jay C. Flippen), the leader of the settlers, does not trust Cole and does not believe that a man can change from bad to good.

When they reach Portland, Oregon, Laurie remains there to recover. Cole also leaves the party saying that he wants to go to California to find gold. The rest, including McLyntock, go on to establish a settlement in the wilderness after making arrangements with a man named Tom Hendricks to send the supplies they need for the winter to be sent on later ("the first week in September"). That night, they have a big party and meet a professional gambler named Trey Wilson (played by Rock Hudson).