Jack London (1943)

45% of users liked it
(55 ratings)

This ambitious filmed biography of writer-adventurer Jack London is somewhat compromised by its too-tight budget. Michael O'Shea is well cast as London, whose rugged adventures range from the high seas to the Klondike. London's insatiable wanderlust causes friction in his marriage to the lovely… More This ambitious filmed biography of writer-adventurer Jack London is somewhat compromised by its too-tight budget. Michael O'Shea is well cast as London, whose rugged adventures range from the high seas to the Klondike. London's insatiable wanderlust causes friction in his marriage to the lovely Charmian (Susan Hayward), but she stands nobly by his side in good times and bad (it should be noted that the script is based on Mrs. London's memoirs). In the interests of topicality, the film contrives to have London endeavor to warn America of Japanese military expansion some four decades before Pearl Harbor. It is this story element that makes Jack London a bit difficult to watch today, despite the strong performances of O'Shea, Hayward and a superb supporting cast. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 34 min.
Directed By: Alfred Santell
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Classics

In Theaters: Nov 24, 1943 Wide
On DVD: Mar 15, 2005

Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
A routine biopicture, with some anachronistic notes, mostly known for Frederic Rich's Oscar-nominated score.

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Featured Audience Ratings

jay n

London surely had an exciting life some of which is shown here but leading man O'Shea has the screen charisma of lint and without a compelling center the film just plods along. Susan Hayward, exuding more presence and star quality in her small part than O"Shea ever would is… More
London surely had an exciting life some of which is shown here but leading man O'Shea has the screen charisma of lint and without a compelling center the film just plods along. Susan Hayward, exuding more presence and star quality in her small part than O"Shea ever would is wasted in a nothing part.

Cast

            Michael O'Shea as Jack London

            Susan Hayward as Charmain Kittredge

            Osa Massen as Freda Maloof

            Virginia Mayo as Mamie

            Harry Davenport as Prof. Hilliard

            Frank Craven as Old Tom

            Ralph Morgan as George Brett

            Louise Beavers as Mammy Jenny

            Jonathan Hale as Kerwin Maxwell

            Leonard Strong as Capt. Tanaka

            Paul Hurst as Lucky Luke Lannigan

            Regis Toomey as Scratch Nelson

            Hobart Cavanaugh as Mike

            Olin Howland as Mailman

            Ernie S. Adams as Whiskey Bob

            John Kelly as Red John

            Robert E. Homans as Capt. Allen

            Morgan Conway as Richard Harding Davis

            Arthur Loft as Fred Palmer

            Lumsden Hare as English Correspondent

            Brooks Benedict as American Correspondent

            Pierre Watkin as American Consul

            Paul Fung as Gen. Fuji

            Charlie Lung as Interpreter

            Bruce Wong as Japanese Official

            Eddie Lee as Japanese Sergeant

            John Fisher as Spider

            Jack Roper as Victor

            Sven Hugo Borg as Axel

            Davison Clark as Commissioner

            Harold Minjir as Literary Guest

            Roy Gordon as Literary Guest

            Torben Meyer as Literary Guest

            Edmund Cobb as Father of child

            Wallis Clark as Theodore Roosevelt

            Charles Miller as William Loeb

            Dick Curtis as Cannery Foreman

            Sarah Padden as Cannery Woman

            Evelyn Finley as Indian Maid

            Rose Plummer as Lydia Chairman's Secretary

            Sidney D'Albrook as Pete

            Edward Earle as James Hare

            Richard Loo as Japanese Ambassador

            Albert Van Antwerp as French Frank
See full cast