North to Alaska (1960)

Director:

Henry Hathaway

Writers:

John H. Kafka (idea)
Ladislas Fodor (play)

Release Date:

7 November 1960 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Western

Tagline:

In all the 50 states you won't find a fun-filled adventure like it!

Plot:

Sam (John Wayne) and George (Stewart Granger) strike gold in Alaska. George sends Sam to Seattle to bring George's fiance back to Alaska...

Plot Keywords:

Territory Name In Title | Alaska | 1900s | Tickling Women | Based On Play

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

John Wayne	...	Sam McCord
Stewart Granger	...	George Pratt
Ernie Kovacs	...	Frankie Canon
Fabian	...	Billy Pratt
Capucine	...	Michelle 'Angel' Bonet
Mickey Shaughnessy	...	Peter Boggs
Karl Swenson	...	Lars Nordquist
Joe Sawyer	...	Land Commissioner
Kathleen Freeman	...	Lena Nordquist
John Qualen	...	Logger Judge
Stanley Adams	...	Breezy

Also Known As:

Go North (USA) (working title)
The Alaskans (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

122 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

Australia:PG | Finland:K-8 | Sweden:15 | UK:U | West Germany:12

Filming Locations:

Alabama Hills, Lone Pine, California, USA

Company:

Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation

Trivia:

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:

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).

Quotes:

Sam McCord: This is my old friend Lena Nordquist.
Michelle: How do you do, Mrs Nordquist?
Sam McCord: Well, come on, come on! There's nothing to fear. She's half-human.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Disco Fever (1978/I)

Soundtrack:

IF YOU KNEW

One of Wayne's better stabs at comedy.

A recent issue of Vanity Fair magazine contained a lengthy article (riddled with some annoying errors, by the way) about the exploits of legendary Hollywood agent (and producer, on occasion), Charles K. Feldman. For John Wayne he at one time obtained a three-picture deal at 20th-Century Fox that included this one, as well as "The Comancheros" and "The Barbarian and the Geisha." This comedy, set in Gold Rush Alaska, is the best of that trio, thanks to Henry Hathaway's hand at the helm, and some extremely astute casting. Stewart Granger, presumably a free agent after fulfilling his MGM contract, is credible as Wayne's partner; Ernie Kovacs, in one of his few film roles, before his untimely death, makes a thoroughly convincing cad; and Fabian, shoehorned in to lure the teenage females, is refreshingly funny in probably his best film performance. Capucine, one of Feldman's conquests, according to that same Vanity Fair article, was given the role of Michelle/'Angel' and she gave a preview of her ability to play a glamour role with an emphasis on comedy that came to full flower in 1964's "The Pink Panther," in which she skillfully matched pratfalls with Peter Sellers in his first incarnation as the immortal Inspector Clouseau.

With the great Kathleen Freeman, the always funny Mickey Shaugnessy, and Karl Swenson rounding out a cast giving full play to the script's comic aspects; Leon Shamroy lensing the proceedings with his usual professionalism; and Lionel Newman contributing an apposite score; this one, with a title song that managed a place on the Hit Parade back then, is lots of not-too-taxing fun. It's soon to be available on DVD, I notice, so its CinemaScope ratio will no doubt be restored, the only way to revisit a film made when widescreens were really wide.