Ice Palace (1960)

At the end of World War I, Zeb Kennedy, a canner, and Thor Storm, a fishing boat captain, set up a fish cannery in Alaska and through the years find themselves on opposite sides of Alaska's... See full summary »

Director:

Vincent Sherman

Writers:

Edna Ferber (novel), Harry Kleiner (screenplay)

Stars:

Richard Burton, Robert Ryan, Martha Hyer

Cast

Cast overview:
Richard Burton	...	Zeb Kennedy
Robert Ryan	...	Thor Storm
Martha Hyer	...	Dorothy Wendt Kennedy
Jim Backus	...	Dave Husack
Carolyn Jones	...	Bridie Ballantyne
Ray Danton	...	Bay Husack
Diane McBain	...	Christine Storm
Karl Swenson	...	Scotty Ballantyne
Shirley Knight	...	Grace Kennedy, Age 16
Barry Kelley	...	Einer Wendt
Sheridan Comerate	...	Ross Guildenstern
George Takei	...	Wang
Steve Harris	...	Christopher Storm - age 16

Storyline

At the end of World War I, Zeb Kennedy, a canner, and Thor Storm, a fishing boat captain, set up a fish cannery in Alaska and through the years find themselves on opposite sides of Alaska's bid for statehood. Zeb is determined to let nothing and no one stop him from building his business and gaining great wealth. At first Zeb and Thor's girlfriend, Birdie, are only good friends. But even though Zeb and Birdie fall in love, Zeb remains devoted to his greater love: money. Zeb goes off to Seattle to find money for his business. There he marries Dorothy, the heir to his former employer. When Dorothy and Thor find out that Zeb and Birdie are secret lovers, Thor attacks Zeb, knocking him out. His friendship with Zeb ended, Thor heads off into the Alaskan wilderness, where he is rescued by an Eskimo family. There, Thor begins to work for Alaskan statehood, while Zeb works to advance himself through his business.

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Plot Keywords:

eskimo indian | based on novel

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Taglines:

RICHARD BURTON The Kennedy they called "Czar".

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 January 1960 (USA)

Also Known As:

Titanen

Filming Locations:

Petersburg, Alaska, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

143 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Soundtracks

"Hopak"
(uncredited)
Traditional
Danced by the men at the party

User Reviews

Burton/McBain/Vincent Sherman

I like this movie due to the fact it celebrates the statehood of Alaska and it features Richard Burton pre Cleopatra when he was a solid journeyman Actor before all the hype of the Taylor/Burton affair. Vincent Sherman who made many fine films at Warner Bros. directs this film and it is a very easy going picture with great photography. Sherman did fine work at WB (and is noted for his relationships -at different times with feuding divas Joan Crawford and the Queen of the Lot Bette Davis)

Am also a fan of the Warner Bros stock company of the 1960's and several players of that group are cast here including the fine actor Ray Danton, and the lovely Diane McBain. Both Danton and McBain were groomed for stardom and Warners kept both busy in both movies and TV. Luscious Diane McBain was so beautiful but got lost at WB standing behind glamour girls Natalie Wood, and Connie Stevens. Warners would shunt their stock players between various TV shows and movies filming on the lot. There is a great picture which I wish someone would find that showed J L Warner with the dozens of players under contract at the time shot on the back lot: Troy Donahue, Connie Stevens, Edd Byrnes, Roger Smith, Peter Brown, Chad Everett, Dorothy Provine, Tony Eisley, Gary Vinson, Diane McBain, Ty Hardin et al, names that conjure up wonderful memories of a bygone era)

Is "Ice Palace" a great movie? no! Is it enjoyable to watch? Yes!