source: North to Alaska

Trailer—North to Alaska

North to Alaska

NORTH TO ALASKA is another comic western for star John Wayne and director Henry Hathaway, this time made with an even lighter touch than usual. An ageing Wayne is backed up by the double-whammy of Stewart Granger and pop singer Fabian, and the story is about gold claims in Alaska which makes this a 'northern' rather than the usual westerns the star was known for. The film peaks early on with a hilarious bar-room brawl which has some great sight gags and stunts and if there isn't much in the way of action after this point, the comedy makes it work. Wayne is the usual two-fisted hero and gently ribs himself while the supporting acts work hard to make their characters work. In the end, Hathaway comes out triumphant by delivering another light and breezy, seemingly effortless, piece of direction.

John Wayne and Stewart Granger play gold miners in Alaska. Wayne goes to Seattle to bring back Granger's fiancée. But when he gets there he finds out she's already married. Not wanting his friend to be disappointed, he brings back French dance hall girl Capucine. The rest of the movie is everybody trying to get with Capucine. Fabian plays Granger's brother. Ernie Kovacs plays a con man. Both are definitely products of this era and I don't mean that as a compliment. Wayne is good in a role he could play in his sleep. It's a light-hearted comedy with some cartoonish action. It's dumb but all in good fun and hard to dislike.

I am watching at least 12 hours of John Wayne tonight. Am I crazy? Probably. Fight? This movie doesn't have no stinkin' fight, it has an all-out mud-brawl! There was a time that The Duke liked to have pop stars around him. This s one of three in a row. This one had Fabian, who sang "If you knew." This was an extremely funny movie and a real sleeper. John Wayne is very much in his element in this film, but the story and cast causes some to dismiss it. Give it a fair chance and you will see it is really a good film.

A likable, very broad comedy-western with no substance whatsoever. Henry Hathaway produced and directed and it all looks like an excuse for Hathaway, the Duke and some friends to get together way up North and have a bit of a ball. Plot is minimal despite being taken from a play by Ladislas Fodor, (God knows what it would have looked like on stage), and it's very handsome courtesy of Leon Shamroy's photography and the utterly gorgeous Capucine. (Whatever became of her; she couldn't act but she could light up the screen). Wayne's mugging begins to grate after awhile and not even the brilliant Ernie Kovacs can save it from lapsing into silliness, (there isn't a hint of danger anywhere). It's not often revived and by Hathaway's standards it's pretty poor. Fabian's in it, too, and gets to sing a fairly mediocre ballad while the excellent title song went to Johnny Horton.

This movie is too funny! And too heartwarming! I can watch this movie over and over and still laugh! And it is not slapstick! Just good ole wholesome American comedy! My favorite! Three men, (well, two men and a teen) and a French woman! What a combo!! John Wayne is his usual macho self. That is always fun to watch. And Stewart Granger is soooo good here! I have seen him in many things, but I think he out-did himself here! He's too funny! And poor Fabian. He breaks my heart with his love-sick adoration of Michelle! If you haven't seen this, you must rent it. You will be glad you did. And you WILL end up watching it again. It's that type of movie.

This is a great movie. Funny and entertaining. Each of the characters could fill up a movie by themselves. Ernie Kovaks steals the show as the ultimate cheat and chiseler. John Wayne knows he is doing a parody of himself, plays it to the hilt and pulls it off brilliantly. Capucine is a classy lady. Even though she works in a bordello, you somehow know she's a nice girl. Even Clancy the shaggy dog has a great role. Johnny Horton's title hit, North to Alaska, is his best song ever. Classic cowboy movie fight scenes at the beginning and end. A total hoot.

John Wayne plays Sam McCord, who teams up with George Pratt, played by Stewart Granger, striking it rich with a gold mine around the turn of the century in Alaska. Fabian plays George's younger brother, Billy. George sends Sam back to Seattle to bring back his bride to be; instead, Sam brings back a chorus girl played by Capucine. Henry Hathaway directs this fist swinging comedy. Of course, Mr. Wayne is in charge of the fist fights and Fabian is the butt of and source of most of the comedy. Comic Ernie Kovacs plays a snide claim jumper. Fast paced frolic of a picture. An enjoyable lighter side of 'Duke' Wayne.