Call of the Wild (1935)

During the Klondike Gold Rush, a traveler purchases a dog to lead the way toward the treasure, but reconsiders his journey when he finds a jilted married woman.

Director:

William A. Wellman (as William Wellman)

Writers:

Jack London (story), Gene Fowler (screenplay)

Stars:

Clark Gable, Loretta Young, Jack Oakie

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Clark Gable	...	Jack Thornton
Loretta Young	...	Claire Blake
Jack Oakie	...	'Shorty' Hoolihan
Reginald Owen	...	Mr. Smith
Frank Conroy	...	John Blake
Katherine DeMille	...	Marie
Sidney Toler	...	Joe Groggins
James Burke	...	Ole
Charles Stevens	...	Francois
Lalo Encinas	...	Kali
Thomas E. Jackson	...	'Tex' Rickard (as Tommy Jackson)
Russ Powell	...	Bartender
Herman Bing	...	Sam
George MacQuarrie	...	Mounted Policeman (as George McQuarrie)
Buck	...	Buck

Storyline

Jack Thornton has trouble winning enough at cards for the stake he needs to get to the Alaska gold fields. His luck changes when he pays $250 for Buck, a sled dog that is part wolf to keep him from being shot by an arrogant Englishman also headed for the Yukon. En route to the Yukon with Shorty Houlihan -- who spent time in jail for opening someone else's letter with a map of where gold is to be found -- Jack rescues a woman whose husband was the addressee of that letter. Buck helps Jack win a $1,000 bet to get the supplies he needs. And when Jack and Claire Blake pet Buck one night, fingers touch.

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Plot Keywords:

indian woman | clark gable billed above the title | loretta young billed above the title | jack oakie billed above the title | damsel in distress | 

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Taglines:

THE FATAL FURY OF THE YUKON! (print ad - Lubbock Morning Avalanche - Broadway Theatre - Lubbock, Texas - July 20, 1936 - all caps)

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Drama | Romance | Western

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Certificate:

Passed

Did You Know?

Trivia

Like many films of the era, this production was originally slated to film in the Southern Sierra Nevada near Sonora. In fact, production had already begun when a warm front melted the snow and forced a hasty and expensive move to Washington state.

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Goofs

Why call this a goof? It's just a funny way of saying he'd knife someone.

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Quotes

Jack Thornton: You know, it's customary up here, Mrs. Blake, for everyone to pitch in and do their share. You've been with us for two days and up to now done nothing but sit around and look nasty. Can you cook?
Claire Blake: Yes, I'm considered a very excellent cook.
Jack Thornton: How about giving these beans the benefit of your talent.
Claire Blake: I'll do nothing to help you! I'm your prisoner, and since you seem to want me with you, you'll take care of me.
Jack Thornton: Want you? We just had an attack of insanity and decided to keep you from committing suicide. A ...

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Alternate Versions

Originally released at 95 minutes; later cut to 81 minutes for a re-issue. For many years only the cut re-issue version was available for television showings, and it is also the version released on DVD in 2006 as part of the Clark Gable Collection. The original length version remained unseen until it was released on blu-ray in 2013.

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Connections

Version of Call of the Wild (1923)

User Reviews

North to Alaska with Buck

Wiliam Wellman is the director at the helm of this version of Jack London's immensely popular novel. As an adventure, this movie offers a lot of fun because of the enormous appeal of its star, Clark Gable. He is a man's man. Mr. Gable projected such an aura about himself that he carried from film to film, making him one of the favorites of all audiences. The gold rush is presented as it should have been for the people that went in search of riches in the inhospitable confines of Alaska.

In this version, Loretta Young plays Claire Blake, the woman who conquered Jack Thornton's heart. The rumored affair between Ms. Young and Mr. Gable is fun to look at. What's real, and what not? It's up to the stars to know and for us, the viewers, to guess. Ms. Young and Mr. Gable were appealing players, as they prove in this film.

In other roles, Jack Oakie, Reginald Owen, Frank Conroy, and other old faces from films of the era make wonderful appearances. Above all, Buck, the great St. Bernard dog in the film is amazing. It's a joy to watch Mr. Gable's scenes with Buck as they compliment one another in that frigid background.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 August 1935 (USA)

Also Known As:

Call of the Wild

Filming Locations:

Mammoth Lakes, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

20th Century Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min 95 min (original) 81 min (re-release) 79 min (cut)

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Noiseless Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1