North to Alaska

A Western RomCom Classic. By the title you'd think this is a Western adventure like a John Ford flick but it's instead a RomCom along along the lines of the Quiet Man in the West more than anything. It's very light hearted and the slapstick is funny actually. Wayne and everyone else does a great job. The story is very loose and easy going. It's very clear it's not to be taken serious at all and very easy viewing. There is almost no action in this at all and a big brawl at the end. It's very nice to look at, the lead actress is gorgous, and slid direction always keeps you interested in something. It does feel like it's almost two flicks. The RomCom and the gold subplot which feels almost forgotten about at certain points. Other stuff like the kid who fancies her, and the chaaracters are introduced very hastely feels forgotten about or kind of pointless. It doesn't really have any high stakes either. But anyone who is a fan of the director, any actors in this especially Wayne, and oddly enough RomComs should check this out. Warning: This is nothing like a typical Western you'd expect. It's a Romcom that takes place in the West rather than the other way around. Still suprisingly good though.

This isn't Oscar-worth material, but it is fun. I saw this as a teenager and found it enjoyable. Sixty years later, I still smile as I watch Capucine taunt John Wayne at the end.

Good clean Western!!

This movie is a classic and I've seen it many times. I have loved westerns since I was a kid, John Wayne is my favorite. I also like Audie Murphy, Joel McCrea, Jimmy Stewart, Robert Mitchum , Walter Brennan, Andy Devine( loved him in the original Stage Coach, another great classic.), Ben Johnson, Gabby Hayes, Ward Bond,Thomas Mitchell (who also was so much fun to watch in Stage Coach as Doc Boone) are some of my top favorites. I also like James Gardener, Glenn Ford and Gregory Peck as well. All of these actors are top notch. Movies today are like a fast food meal compared to rich home cooking we use to watch, they lack character, substance and are what I call brain garbage filled with sex, violence and shallow meaningless plots. As for this movie North to Alaska it is one of my all time favorites . Johnny Horton also sang a song by the same name based off the movie, it too is worth listening to , Horton was a wonderful singer, story teller with interesting ballads and a voice that gets stuck in your head, you'll be singing his songs if you listen to them. So what did I think of the movie? If you like old movies and you like westerns you will not be disappointed, make some popcorn grab the cat or dog or your honey on a rainy afternoon cozy up and check it out.

As soon as I saw a comedic bar fight unfolded within the first 5 minutes, I knew I was going to enjoy this fiom. Although I haven't seen many John Wayne films, his performance in this one surprised me with his comedic timing. The movie boasts several hilarious scenes, particularly towards the end, and the overall acting is really great, especially Capucine's performance. The part of thr film I really liked though, was the breathtaking imagery of the Alaskan wilderness mixed with the nostalgic ambiance of the old west. The film does a fantastic job capturing the essence and excitement of the Alaskan Gold Rush, transporting viewers to a bygone era. This hidden gem deserves more recognition and is definitely worth watching. Despite its age, this film is a perfect blend of humor and adventure that should be seen.

One of Wayne's dullest.

North to Alaska is like oil and water - two different tones that are never rectified. On one hand, there is a relatively conventional John Wayne Western, where his grubby, tall-standing Sam McCord must contend with greedy bandits, a female love interest, and some sort of injustice using his hard-punching style. On the other, there is a goofy comedy based on a love triangle, where most of the laughs are more suited for midcentury sensibilities. Though they weave in and out of one another, they seem like two distinct films. It's not like North to Alaska is a particularly offensive film, but Wayne isn't really suited to comedy; most of the humor is more a result of the contrast of the movie's intermittent tone to Wayne's more serious cowboy films. If you are fine with the Duke being a bit more light-hearted, North to Alaska is not a bad movie but far from a classic. It's not like Wayne is notorious for his comic delivery. (2/5)

One of John Wayne's Weakest efforts and kinda mediocre

No, he doesn't tell jokes or clown around (other than some pratfalls); it's the script that provides the laughs. Other contemporary stars such as Fabian and Ernie Kovacs and Capucine are in major roles too, and fit in well with them. In 1900's Alaska, Wayne and a partner have a claim on a gold mine, and Wayne takes a boat to Seattle to retrieve the woman who promised to marry him...only to find the woman has married someone else already, losing her chance at the partner's potential fortune. At a local brothel, Wayne finds a beautiful French girl and talks her into coming to Alaska with him. Will everyone agree, including the partner? But those are only a few of the problems Wayne faces when he is back in Alaska. A combination of romantic comedy, subplots of treacherous villains, and slapstick keep the viewer entertained for two hours. Good for family viewing despite implied adult themes.

It is a strange ramble though cultural contexts and sociological nuances that would drive today's PC police into impassioned fits of triggered rage. For that reason alone it is almost worth the bizarre comedic sound effects and uncomfortable plot devices.