That time Marilyn Monroe came to Ontario to film in Niagara Falls

For a brief period in June 1952, Niagara Falls wasn't just the setting for honeymoons and trips. For two weeks, the area became the backdrop for the noir thriller film appropriately titled Niagara, starring Hollywood bombshell Marilyn Monroe and Joseph Cotten. 

Over two weeks, locals watched as film crews transformed the area's streets into movie sets, and Monroe, who was already gaining attention in Hollywood, became just as much of an attraction as the falls themselves. 

Filming officially began on June 2, and Monroe arrived shortly after, on the morning of Thursday, June 5. The actress stayed in town until June 18, and during that time, scenes were shot across the city, from the old post office and city hall, to the hospital and down in Chippawa. 

Marilyn Monroe during the filming of Niagara. Photo: George Bailey, Niagara Falls Public Library Digital Collections.

One of the film's most notable scenes, where Cotten's character steals a boat, was actually filmed along Bridgewater Street in Chipawa. The iconic Rainbow Bridge also makes an appearance, along with a local bus station and the Rainbow Carillon Tower. 

The film's crew stayed at the General Brock Hotel (now The Brock Niagara Falls Fallsview, Tapestry by Hilton). Monroe stayed in room 801, a room that some fans still request today, although, if you can imagine, it's a pretty tough reservation to get. 

While in town, she also managed to do some sightseeing, including stops at Queen Victoria Park, Dufferin Islands, and Table Rock House. She even toured the Oneida silverware plant, although that factory has long since been replaced and is now the site of Casino Niagara. 

Some Niagara Falls residents got their 15 minutes of fame and were cast in bit parts, including scenes shot aboard the Maid of the Mist. For filming, a six-unit set made specifically for the movie in Queen Victoria Park, called the Rainbow Motel, was built. 

Constructed by local contractor Arthur Jolley, the motel served as the setting for some of the film's most dramatic moments. Eventually, the unit was dismantled after filming, although tourists would continue to ask about it for years afterward. 

Monroe's performance as Rose Loomis, a troubled, seductive woman plotting her husband's murder, marked a turning point in her career. Although she was a well-known name at this time, Niagara gave her top billing for the first time and also showcased her capabilities as a leading actress. 

From there, her fame skyrocketed, with her more notable films, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and How to Marry a Millionaire, both releasing in 1953 to even greater success.

Photo: Jock Carroll. 

Niagara premiered in Canada on Jan. 28, 1953, at the now-shuttered Seneca Theatre on Queen Street in Niagara Falls. The film's budget of $2 million was a huge sum at the time, and the fact that it was in full Technicolor was rare for a noir-style mystery. 

To this day, you can still find some older Niagara Falls residents who remember the time when the Hollywood bombshell came to town, and how Monroe, for a brief moment, was the area's greatest attraction.