Posts from ethanedwards in thread „North To Alaska (1960)“

  • North To Alaska (1960)

    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!!!!

  • North To Alaska (1960)

    Hi WaynamoJim,


    Quote

    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.

  • North To Alaska (1960)

    North to Alaska is a 1960 comedic Western movie
    directed by Henry Hathaway and John Wayne (uncredited).
    The picture stars Wayne along with Stewart Granger, Ernie Kovacs, Fabian and Capucine.
    The script is based on the play Birthday Gift by Ladislas Fodor and set in Nome, 1900.
    The movie featured Johnny Horton's song of the same name, sung during the opening titles.


    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!!!!!


    User Review

    Quote

    My favorite movie of all time!
    5 May 2002 | by Capucine (Connecticut, USA)


    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

    .

  • North To Alaska (1960)

    NORTH TO ALASKA


    DIRECTED BY HENRY HATHAWAY
    PRODUCED BY HENRY HATHAWAY/ CHARLES K. FELDMAN/ JOHN LEE MAHIN
    MUSIC BY LEONARD NEWMAN
    20th.CENTURY FOX


    Photo with the courtesy of lasbugas

    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.


    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)


    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


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


    Cinematography
    Leon Shamroy (director of photography)


    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)


    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.


    * 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).


    * Audio/visual unsynchronized: When the cavalry come to impound the mine and the Duke is about to ride off with his share of the gold, the trooper has the correct Trapdoor Springfield carbine, but the cocking noise is that of a lever action Winchester. The Springfield had a side hammer and makes a click-click noise, while the Winchester makes a shook-shook noise.


    * Revealing mistakes: In the scene when Sam McCord (John Wayne) and George Pratt (Stewart Granger) are coming out of the Palace escorting Peter Boggs to the Land Commissioner, Frankie pulls up in a wagon to race into the Palace to get Peter Boggs. When the fight starts and Frankie hits John Wayne, Wayne stumbles back. As he stumbles, he loses his cowboy hat. When his hat comes off, so does his toupee. As he turns around and you can see the bald spots on the top and back of his head.


    Memorable Quotes


    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


    Watch this Trailer


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