North to Alaska (1960)

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 ... See full summary »

Director:

Henry Hathaway

Writers:

John Lee Mahin (screenplay), Martin Rackin (screenplay),

Stars:

John Wayne, Stewart Granger, Ernie Kovacs

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

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

Storyline

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.

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Plot Keywords:

alaska | partner | con man | younger brother | 1900s | 

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

Comedy | Western

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 November 1960 (USA)

Also Known As:

Go North

Filming Locations:

Alabama Hills, Lone Pine, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$3,500,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

122 min

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The creek where the cabin is located is also the same spot used in True Grit (where Dennis Hopper's character and his brother are killed) and in Nevada Smith (where Steve McQueen's character first meets Brian Keith's character).

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Goofs

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.

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Quotes

Billy Pratt: [sniffing Michelle's neck after she seats her at the table] Oh, golly, you smell good!
Michelle: Thank you. Whatever you're cooking smells good, too.
Billy Pratt: I'd rather smell you.
Michelle: Uhm... Shall we dine?

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Connections

Featured in The John Wayne Anthology (1991)

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Soundtracks

"Bringing in the Sheaves"
(uncredited)
Music by George A. Minor
Played by the Salvation Army Band

User Reviews

Lumber jacks become gold miners in Nome, Alaska.

John Wayne plays Sam McCord, who teams up with George Pratt, played by Stewart Granger, striking it rich with a gold mine around the turn of the century in Alaska. Fabian plays George's younger brother, Billy. George sends Sam back to Seattle to bring back his bride to be; instead, Sam brings back a chorus girl played by Capucine.

Henry Hathaway directs this fist swinging comedy. Of course, Mr. Wayne is in charge of the fist fights and Fabian is the butt of and source of most of the comedy. Comic Ernie Kovacs plays a snide claim jumper. Fast paced frolic of a picture. An enjoyable lighter side of 'Duke' Wayne.