Rangle River
| Rangle River | |
|---|---|
|
|
| Directed by | Clarence G. Badger |
| Written by |
Charles Chauvel Elsa Chauvel |
| Based on | story by Zane Grey |
| Starring |
Victor Jory Robert Coote |
| Cinematography | Errol Hinds |
| Edited by | Frank Coffey |
|
Production
company |
Columbia Pictures
National Studios |
| Distributed by |
Columbia Pictures (Australia, UK & US) J.H. Hoffberg (US reissue) |
|
Release date
|
19 December 1936 (Australia) 1937 (UK) 1939 (US) |
|
Running time
|
86 minutes |
| Country | Australia |
| Language | English |
| Budget | ₤20,000 |
Rangle River is a 1936 Australian Western film directed by Clarence G. Badger based on a story by Zane Grey.
Marion Hastings returns to her father Dan's cattle property in western Queensland after being away in Europe for fifteen years. She is treated with hostility by her father's foreman, Dick Drake, and her father's neighbour, Don Lawton.
The river on the Hastings' property keeps drying up. An English house guest, Reggie Mannister discovers that the river is being dammed by Donald Lawton. Marion goes to investigate as Lawton dynamites his dam. Marion is trapped in the flood. Drake comes her to aid, rescues Marion from drowning and helps defeat Lawton in a whip duel.
Dick and Marion are reunited and walk off into the sunset, with Marion holding the whip, literally.
The movie was partly financed by a Hollywood studio, Columbia, and used an imported American star and director. It was made by National Studios, who owned Pagewood Film Studios and had links with National Productions, the company that made The Flying Doctor (1936).
The original story was written by Zane Grey while at Bermagui during his 1935 fishing tour of Australia, a period which also produced the film White Death (1936). The script was adapted by Charles and Elsa Chauvel. It features a number of stock characters from Australian films and theatre of the time, such as the "squatter's daughter" and the "English new chum".
The role of Marion Hastings was originally offered to Nancy O'Neil, an Australian actor living in England. The director was imported from Hollywood, as was star Victor Jory.
The female lead was given to a Sydney girl, Peggy Barnes, who changed her name to Margaret Dare. She was signed to a three-year contract with National Studios but asked to be released from it.
Although there was some talk the film would be made in Queensland it was eventually shot on location near Gloucester and in the Burragorang Valley.
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