NORTH TO ALASKA

PRODUCED AND DIRECTED BY HENRY HATHAWAY
MUSIC BY LEONARD NEWMAN
20th.CENTURY FOX

[Only registered and activated users can see links]

INFORMATION FROM IMDb

Plot Summary
Sam (John Wayne) and George (Stewart Granger) strike gold in Alaska.
George sends Sam to Seattle to bring George's fiance back to Alaska.
Sam finds she is already married,
and returns instead with Angel (Capucine).
Sam, after trying to get George and Angel together,
finally romances Angel, who, in the meantime, is busy
fighting off the advances of George's younger brother, Billy (Fabian).
Frankie (Ernie Kovacs) is a con man trying to steal the partner's gold claim.

Writing credits
John H. Kafka (idea)
Ladislas Fodor (play Birthday Gift) (as Laszlo Fodor)
John Lee Mahin (screenplay) and
Martin Rackin (screenplay) and
Claude Binyon (screenplay)
Ben Hecht uncredited and
Wendell Mayes uncredited

Full Cast
John Wayne .... Sam McCord
Stewart Granger .... George Pratt
Ernie Kovacs .... Frankie Canon
Fabian .... Billy Pratt
Capucine .... Michelle ('Angel')
Mickey Shaughnessy .... Peter Boggs
Karl Swenson .... Lars Nordquist
Joe Sawyer .... Land Commissioner
Kathleen Freeman .... Lena Nordquist
John Qualen .... Logger
Stanley Adams .... Breezy
Mark Bailey .... Norseman Logger (uncredited)
Rayford Barnes .... Gold buyer (uncredited)
Oscar Beregi Jr. .... Captain (uncredited)
Peter Bourne .... Olaf (uncredited)
Alan Carney .... Bartender (uncredited)
Lilyan Chauvin .... Jenny Lamont (uncredited)
Richard Collier .... Skinny Sourdough (uncredited)
Stephen Courtleigh .... Duggan (uncredited)
Esther Dale .... Woman at picnic (uncredited)
Maurice Dallimore .... Bartender (uncredited)
Richard Deacon .... Angus, hotel desk clerk (uncredited)
Douglas Dick .... Lieutenant (uncredited)
Tom Dillon .... Barber (uncredited)
Joey Faye .... Sourdough (uncredited)
Frank Faylen .... Arnie (uncredited)
Fortune Gordien .... Logger (uncredited)
Sol Gorss .... Gunman at Arnie's Claim (uncredited)
James Griffith .... Salvation Army leader (uncredited)
Arlene Harris .... Queen Lil (uncredited)
Max Hellinger .... Everett 'Bish' Bishop, the waiter (uncredited)
Marcel Hillaire .... Jenny's husband ('butler') (uncredited)
Roy Jenson .... Ole, Logger punched by Sam (uncredited)
Johnny Lee .... Coachman (uncredited)
Paul Maxey .... Nome Townsman (uncredited)
Kermit Maynard .... Townfolk (uncredited)
Jerry O'Sullivan .... Sergeant (uncredited)
Ollie O'Toole .... Mack (uncredited)
Tudor Owen .... Purser (uncredited)
Pamela Raymond .... Dancer (uncredited)
Charles Seel .... Gold buyer (uncredited)
Patty Wharton .... Dancer (uncredited)

Produced by
Henry Hathaway .... producer
Charles K. Feldman .... producer (uncredited)
John Lee Mahin .... producer (uncredited)

Original Music by
Russell Faith (song "If You Knew")
Lionel Newman

Stunts
Fred Graham .... stunt double: John Wayne (uncredited)
John Epper .... stunts (uncredited)
Sol Gorss .... stunts (uncredited)
Tom Hennesy .... stunts (uncredited)
Loren Janes .... stunts (uncredited)
Roy Jenson .... stunts (uncredited)
Kermit Maynard .... stunts (uncredited)
Bob Morgan .... stunts (uncredited)
Boyd 'Red' Morgan .... stunts (uncredited)
Harvey Parry .... stunts (uncredited)
Jack Perkins .... stunts (uncredited)
George Robotham .... stunts (uncredited)
Richard Talmadge .... stunt coordinator (uncredited)

Other crew
Peter De Angelis .... lyricist: "If You Knew"
Josephine Earl .... choreographer
Johnny Horton .... singer: title song
Robert P. Marcucci .... lyricist: "If You Knew"

Filming Locations
Alabama Hills, Lone Pine, California, USA
Big Bear Lake, Big Bear Valley, San Bernardino National Forest, California, USA
Mammoth Lakes, California, USA
Point Mugu, California, USA
(beach and exterior town scenes)
Yukon Territory, Canada

Trivia
* Years after the production was first shown in public, the producers of the film admitted that,
in the scene where Capucine is trying to laugh, she was actually tickled on her feet and that her laughs and pleas for mercy were entirely genuine.

* Richard Fleischer was originally hired to direct the picture. He accepted, but when he asked to see the script he was informed that one hadn't been written yet.
Also, after talking with Capucine, he thought she was all wrong for the role of the prostitute--he didn't think she was sexy or earthy enough to convince anyone that she was a hooker--and he informed producer Charles K. Feldman of his conclusion and asked that she be replaced. Unfortunately for Fleischer, Feldman and Capucine were living together at the time, and he had already promised her the role.
So Capucine got the part, and Fleischer got the boot. He was replaced by Henry Hathaway.

Goofs
* Revealing mistakes: Sam McCord's hair flies off with the first punch of his fight with Frankie Canon.

* Errors in geography: Obviously not filmed in Alaska. No snow or ice anywhere,
everyone is comfortable without coats, and there is sage brush growing at Sam and George's mine.

* Continuity: Inside the cabin, Sam hasn't quite finished buttoning Michelle's blouse when George enters. Later, the blouse appears completely buttoned.

* Continuity: When Billy Pratt and Angel are having dinner,
Billy opens a bottle of champagne that sprays out and douses one of the candles on the table. In the very next shot, Billy has his hand over the mouth of the bottle to stop the spray and the candle is lit. The candle is then out again, then lit again, then out a third time in following shots.

* Continuity: In the major fight, Frankie Canon is knocked face-down into fairly deep mud.
Seconds later he is shown "pre-fight clean" and then somewhat muddied shortly thereafter (but, even then, not as muddy as he should be).

Memorable Quotes

Sam McCord: George, a wonderful thing about Alaska is that matrimony hasn't hit up here yet. Let's keep it a free country!

Sam McCord: Aw, women. I never met one yet that was half as reliable as a horse.

Sam McCord: Women. Peculiar.

Sam McCord: You even sound like a wife.
Michelle: I do not consider that a compliment.
Sam McCord: I'm on your side, lady. It's my only politics... anti-wife.
Any woman who devotes herself to making one man miserable instead of a lot of men happy don't get my vote.

INFORMATION FROM IMDb

Hi,
North To Alaska, is a very personal favourite of mine,
because this was the very first major Duke film I saw on the big screen,
WOW!!! it was an amazing experience.
OK , I had sat as a child through endless Saturday matinees of
The Three Mesquiteersand the other Poverty Row movies,
but , here he was, in glorious Technicolor, 12 feet tall, right, in front of me!!

This film was part of the 3 picture deal, Duke had signed with 20th. Century Fox,
and Duke was eager to get back to work.
He was at this time, following The Alamo,
facing serious financial problems.
Henry Hathaway, was put in charge, with Duke to head the cast.
Duke played a robust part, and handled the comedic role well.
Stewart Grainger, however, was trying to keep afloat his flagging career,
and found the whole episode, a nightmare regularly fluffing his lines,
and finding Hathaway intimidating an bullying,

Duke's, Graingers and Fabian's love interest,
was beautiful French actress, Capucine with limited ability,
and playing opposite Duke, was an important career move.
Fabian, who was a one-hit-wonder, was really a one-hit film star, after this effort!!
Critics thought the film was uneven, and the reviews were tepid.
However, the mass brawls, which were handled in a rollicking,
silent picture style, with action for laughs, were to set the patter for some of Duke's later films.
I love this film, and I don't care what they say!!!!!
RATING 8/10

Originally posted by ethanedwards@Feb 3 2006, 02:28 AM
I love this film, and I don't care what they say!!!!! 26400
Now you're talking, Keith! :lol:

We love this film, too, and put it with McLintock! and Donovan's Reef as another light, fun movie with the Duke.

I particularly like the lumberjack party and in particular, the tree climbing contest. The Mrs. enjoyed Capucine as the female lead in this movie.

Amazon ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) is the winner on the film, as it has it available, and for under $10. The film is listed as "Sorry This Product Is Not Available" on Deep Discount DVD. Of course, that could change, and it might be worth checking back.

Chester :newyear:

Hi everyone,

This is the Movie of the Week.

I am trying to choose movies, that we haven't discussed very much,
and this is one of them.

Please let's have your discussions and comments.

I just watched this film today, and it continues to be one of my favorite Duke pictures. It is fun from start to finish. The loggers picnic scenes are my favorite. I love the Johnny Horton sung theme song, I think I could do with out the Fabian song though. I always though he was lousy. With likes of Elvis, Ricky Nelson, Jerry Lee Lewis and Eddie Cochran, all of whom were handsome, Popular, teen heart trobs at that time and all could really sing! How did Fabian get a recording contract, but more importantly, who did he know to get cast in this movie????????? :huh:

Originally posted by chester7777@Feb 5 2006, 10:40 PM
Amazon ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) is the winner on the film, as it has it available, and for under $10.* The film is listed as "Sorry This Product Is Not Available" on Deep Discount DVD.* Of course, that could change, and it might be worth checking back.
26659
What a difference 8 months can make! DeepDiscountDVD has it now, for $10.33, and Amazon has it for $12.99.

We haven't looked for it at other locations like K-Mart, but it might be worth checking.

As we've said before, we really enjoy this movie, but we'll have to bring it out and watch it again, this weekend, and see if we have any fresh insights to share.

Chester :newyear:

Originally posted by chester7777@Oct 13 2006, 12:36 AM
What a difference 8 months can make!* DeepDiscountDVD has it now, for $10.33, and Amazon has it for $12.99.

We haven't looked for it at other locations like K-Mart, but it might be worth checking.

As we've said before, we really enjoy this movie, but we'll have to bring it out and watch it again, this weekend, and see if we have any fresh insights to share.

Chester :newyear:
35831

Hi Chester. Just to let you know, Wal-Mart has "North to Alaska" packaged with "The Undefeated" in their spotlight series doulbe feature set for $9.97. Check your local store they have been a wealth of JW films to help build my collection, with out depleteing my wallet :D. Don't forget to look in the $5.50 bin. I got a buch out of there as well. An added plus to this is NO SHIPPING CHARGES! :jump:

Originally posted by sun526@Oct 13 2006, 05:26 AM
How did Fabian get a recording contract,????????? :huh:
35829


Hi,

Good Point,
and here lies the answer, just click on the link

Fabian Forte ([Only registered and activated users can see links] 10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-GB:official_s%26sa%3DN)

Keith, I've got to take a little issue with you on the ice and snow in Alaska. The weather there is not always snowy. they have been known to have very mild temperatures quite often. This time of year, Juneau and Ketchkikan are usually in the upper 40's-lower 50's and in summer it can get into the 70's. So, depending on the time of the year, it's quite conceivable that the weather could've been mild enough to not wear coats. Just thought I'd point that out. Not trying to be critical.

Hi WaynamoJim,

Errors in geography: Obviously not filmed in Alaska. No snow or ice anywhere,
everyone is comfortable without coats, and there is sage brush growing at Sam and George's mine.

Thanks for your reply.
Like most films, of the era, it is assumed
that all, was not what they wanted us to believe,
and North To Alaska, was no exception.
Whilst, I take your point about the weather
in Alaska, the cast and crew,
went on location in the spring of 1960,
and filming took place at Point Mugu, in California!
a place 200 miles north of LA
The creek that was used,was in fact,
fed by the waters of Mount Whitney,
which as you know, is a peak, in the
Southern Sierra Nevada Range,
in eastern California.

Incidently, many thanks for all, the posts
and comments you've contributed to the Movie Reviews.

Originally posted by WaynamoJim+Oct 13 2006, 06:01 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(WaynamoJim @ Oct 13 2006, 06:01 PM)</div> . . . depending on the time of the year, it's quite conceivable that the weather could've been mild enough to not wear coats.
35875[/b]

<!--QuoteBegin-ethanedwards@Oct 14 2006, 12:44 AM
Like most films, of the era, it is assumed
that all, was not what they wanted us to believe, and North To Alaska, was no exception.

Whilst, I take your point about the weather in Alaska, the cast and crew, went on location in the spring of* 1960, and filming took place at Point Mugu, in California!

The creek that was used,was in fact, fed by the waters of Mount Whitney, which as you know, is a peak, in the Southern Sierra Nevada Range, in eastern California.35877
Most older movies were not shot on location, like they are nowadays. Most were shot in various places in California. California is very versatile, in that it has many terrains within a day's drive of each other - mountains, desert, ocean, redwood forests, etc. You can be snow-skiing early in the morning, and water-skiing in the afternoon of the same day around here, or even surfing in the ocean. Snow and surf are literally a few hours apart, and truly can be accessed in the same day.

I never had a problem with the apparent location in this film - it seemed within the realm of believability. Certainly a very enjoyable film - which makes other possibly distracting factors easy to overlook - at least for me :lol: .

Chester :newyear:

Hi Jim,

I agree with you.
I love this film, and it was the first ever
Duke film, I saw at the theatre.
So it's extra special to me.
I couldn't care where it was filmed,
as the location was of no significance to me,
whether there was snow ,or ice, or not!!!!

It's one of mine to, Keith. In fact, I think it's my wifes favorite John Wayne movie. She's always loved it. So, it was filmed in California? You're right, it doesn't matter where it was filmed, the scenery was beautiful anyway. Keep those reviews coming. I find them very insightful.

Hi

I had requests to bring back this weekly feature,
but so far, only 3 members have replied!!!!

There are a few days left,

so come on gang,

let's hear your views

I agree to bring back this movie review. Also, review the DVDs too. Sometimes the DVDs aren't always the best. But you have my vote!

Hi baron von Rassilon,

Thanks for your support.
It would be interesting to know,
what you views are of this movie?

Keith; Keep this One Going it is fun to read! :jump:

Bill :cowboy:

I thought this was the most comical movie by the Duke that I have seen. It almost had a disney type feel to it. For example when the people are fighting in the first scene and there are all the sound effects for each punch.

Definitely enjoyable, I particularily liked the scene where Angel is being tickled and you see the duke throw the bottle and glass over his shoulder, then he gets up and topples the table shouting TIMBER! I watched that part a couple of times because it was great.

What was with the seal at the end though? It went a bit nutty there.

A big step away from the ordinary for Henry Hathoway though. It's funny that he went on to directed Sons of Katie Eldar and True Grit, two fantastic movies that were more serious (though there's a lot of humour in True Grit).

Sad story about North to Alaska. Ernie Kovacs (Frankie Cannon) died in a car crash less than 2 years after this movie was released.

Anyone ever notice at the end of this movie how it looks like Fabain tries to get a kiss on the lips and Capucine sorta pauses and turns her cheek?

Hi


I think that these must be british posters as they don't figure in The Movie Posters at Auction catalogue.



Regards


Arthur

Hi Arthur,
It looks like French cover of the movie, but they name it instead of North to Alaska - Le Grand Sam. I bought my copy of the movie in Paris and like it.
Regards,
Vera

This ranks right up there as one of our favorite, lighter films of Duke's.

Here are a couple of posters -

2019

This second one is a 1964 re-issue -

2020

A quick question about this movie. Sam McCord was bringing back Angel for his friend. So when Lars pulls back the curtain, why does Sam have a liplock on the girl that he got for his friend??????:ohmy:

There was a recent political scandal here that revealed that civil servants in their work time were entering Wikipedia and changing personal details on celebrities.

The outcome was that it was revealed that that anyone can sign in make an account and changes any details of any person I wouldnt place too much faith on Wikipedia!!

Mike

Here is an example of the comic from the movie. Enjoy!

Mark

[Only registered and activated users can see links]

Japanese press sheet for this fim.

[Only registered and activated users can see links]
H.sanada

Those are just great.......Now there's something else to pursue for the collection.

Hi Greenhollow,

I have welcomed you on the appropriate thread,.
but have done so again here, where you have initially posted.

WELCOME to The Original JWMB.
Please take a look around,
we're a friendly bunch of folks,
and there is a wealth of information to see,
regarding the great man.


You may find this link useful:-


Link to Duke's Movies and Co-Stars
([Only registered and activated users can see links])

Sound familiar?

JSt0NEESrUA&feature=related

I noticed on the credits list that Fred Graham is credited specifically as Duke's stuntman, but Bob Morgan can definitely be seen doubling Duke in the fight scenes. Especially noticable during the climatic street fight, where Bob, doubling Duke, gets knocked under the mule and gets stepped on in the process.

this is one of my favorite John Wayne movies I have loved it since the first time I saw it as a little girl with my dad and i know even have the song on my mp3 player :)

What a difference 3 years can make! DeepDiscountDVD has it now, for $9.14, whereas 3 years ago it was $10.33. Sounds like deflation to me!

We haven't looked for it at other locations like K-Mart, but it might be worth checking.

As we've said before, we really enjoy this movie, but we'll have to bring it out and watch it again, this weekend, and see if we have any fresh insights to share.

Chester :newyear:

Yeah, this one is a keeper. I didn't mind Fabian so much after seeing Frankie A. in The Alamo. He seemed to fit in the "plot" more than Smitty did, but it was still hard to swallow him and Stewart, the lovin' Limey, as even half brothers.
Kovacks was an inspired oily choice of a villain and large enough to match Wayne. The scene where Duke loses it a classic. My brother and I still laugh out loud every time.
Big Fever!


We deal in lead, friend.