NORTH TO ALASKA
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Recently I received a letter From Alan Davis who pointed out to me that I had overlooked another great John Wayne comedy movie, NORTH TO ALASKA. Having been some time since watching the movie, I took Alan's advice and re-watched it. Alan was right. North To Alaska is one of John Waynes great comical movies.
Many of the elements of McLINTOCK are also present in this movie. Bar fights, silliness, and just plain fun, coupled with a love story. Inspired by the play, "The Birthday Gift" and the song North To Alaska sung by Johnny Horton, the story is about two gold miners in the early 1900's.
As had become tradition with Wayne movies of the era, a teenage singing star, Fabian, was added to the cast as younger brother "Billie". Coupled with Capucine, as Wayne's love interest "Angel",
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I strongly urge John Wayne fans to break it out, or rent it, and watch it again. The time will be worth it.
Here con-man Ernie Kovacks tries to Swindle Sam McCord with a glass diamond ring. The ring is accidently broke, and McCord strings Kovacks along just long enough to dispense a little justice.
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The obligatory bar-fight at the beginning of the movie sets the tone. Partner George Pratt ends up wearing a cuckoo clock, while Wayne, as usual, takes a hit square in the chops and provides one of his funny double-take reactions. The last picture shows McCord and Pratt reviewing the fight. As is usual in one of these, no one is hurt and it all was done in good clean fun. McCord even paid the bartender for the damages.
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As the movie progresses, McCord becomes more and more consumed with jealous rage over Capucines character. Just about at the end of his rope, a series of comical incidents occur. Far too many to picture here. As an example, below left McCord is about to completely lose his temper with Brother Billie. The middle and right photo show McCord conducting an interrogation of a nare-do-well in the barber shop. Using hot boiling water from the tea kettle, and pouring it in a "sensitive" area, McCord obtains the information he is after.
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