THE PLOT THUS FAR
Sam and George strike gold in Alaska. George sends Sam to Seattle to bring George’s fiancé back to Alaska. Sam finds she is already married, and returns instead with Angel. 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. Frankie is a con man trying to steal the partner’s gold claim.
WHAT WE THOUGHT
Sam McCord, George Pratt and Billy Pratt are partners in a rich Alaskan gold mine in 1900. They have just struck it rich and go to the local saloon to celebrate. There, a raucous saloon brawl breaks out, played more for its comedy aspects than for real. Now that he has struck it rich, George can finally send for his long suffering fiancé Jenny who lives in Seattle. Before he leaves he meets scheming gambler Frankie Cannon with whom he will tangle at a later date.
North to Alaska is divided into two halves, covering respectively Sam’s sojourn down south, then his return to Nome, Angel in tow. The broad comedy of romantic embarrassment so characteristic of the film is contained in the second half. That this is the most enjoyable part is no coincidence. Removed from his eager beaver partner, and with an absence of any cutting-back to Alaska during these scenes, while Wayne and Cappucine work well as an acting couple, their characters Sam and Angel need more context than they get to be effective dramatically. Angel’s initial rejection at the social by the lake, then her response, does suggest the self possession of her character, which acquires a calm strength of its own.
The Blu-Ray comes with a trailer and MovieTone News. The A/V Quality is strong with an appropriate DTS-HD 4.0 master audio track that represents the original four channels. Plus, the 1080p transfer is cleaned up. The Vote Your Choice 2013 contest has been a success for fans of Classic Fox Cinema. I hope that keep it going in 2014, as we need more classic titles available on Blu-Ray.
RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW!