North to Alaska (1960)

33% of critics liked it
(6 reviews)
77% of users liked it
(7,337 ratings)

Those familiar only with Johnny Horton's song hit North to Alaska might not be aware that the song came equipped with a movie. John Wayne and Stewart Granger star as a couple of lucky miners in Alaska Territory during the '98 gold rush. Since the Duke is the only man he can trust, Granger sends his… More Those familiar only with Johnny Horton's song hit North to Alaska might not be aware that the song came equipped with a movie. John Wayne and Stewart Granger star as a couple of lucky miners in Alaska Territory during the '98 gold rush. Since the Duke is the only man he can trust, Granger sends his pal to Seattle to fetch his fiance. Fabian appears in the cast (playing Granger's brother) primarily to attract teenage filmgoers; he gets to sing, of course, but he's better than usual. The film's centerpiece, an outsized brawl in the muddy streets of Nome, was repeated with several variations in Wayne's subsequent McLintock (1963). North to Alaska was based on a considerably more genteel stage play, Laszlo Fodor's Birthday Gift. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 2 hr.
Directed By: Henry Hathaway
Written By: John Lee Mahin, Claude Binyon, Martin Rackin
Genres: Western, Action & Adventure, Romance, Classics, Comedy

In Theaters: Nov 7, 1960 Wide
On DVD: May 20, 2003
Studio: 20th Century Fox

Critic Reviews

Bob Bloom, Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)
An OK John Wayne up north comedy western. Not one of his better efforts, but it has its moments.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
One of John Wayne's most popular Western-adventures, North to Alaska reveals his light comedy skills, and benefits from Shamroy's on-location shoot, hathaway's smooth helming, and great cast, headed by Cappucine, Ernie Kovacs, Stewart Granger, and Fabian
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Never amounts to even a speck of gold.
Widgett Walls, Needcoffee.com
Harmless watchable cheesefest.
Widgett Walls, Needcoffee.com
All that having been said, the film is watchable--just be prepared to withstand some dairy when the Velveeta rheostat gets turned up.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Dean M

This is incredible comedy-adventure as well as John Wayne hangs up his stirrups, puts away his scowl, and reveals himself as an unexpectedly brilliant slapstick comic. This is rather than a typical John Wayne Western, this is a John Wayne Northern. And Capucine is wonderfully in her… More
This is incredible comedy-adventure as well as John Wayne hangs up his stirrups, puts away his scowl, and reveals himself as an unexpectedly brilliant slapstick comic. This is rather than a typical John Wayne Western, this is a John Wayne Northern. And Capucine is wonderfully in her performance as "Angel" who's in love with Big Sam (Wayne), not Sam's partner. She looked so beautiful as a French actress.
jay n

Rollicking fun, Capucine is lovely and John Wayne seems more relaxed then usual.
Deb S

This is a action filled comedy western, funny and heartwarming and John plays his usual macho self. My favorite scene would be the one where George and Capucine succeeds in making the Duke jealous. Hilarious!
Chad R

This movie is the original "Pretty Woman" only a lot more light hearted and one of the more humorous John Wayne flicks. John Wayne plays his typical rough and tumble type character, this time as a just-struck-it-rich miner with a love 'em and leave 'em attitude… More
This movie is the original "Pretty Woman" only a lot more light hearted and one of the more humorous John Wayne flicks. John Wayne plays his typical rough and tumble type character, this time as a just-struck-it-rich miner with a love 'em and leave 'em attitude but also with a heart of gold. Three or four bar-room brawls and the entrance of Ernie Kovacs as the Snidley Whiplash-pencil-thin-mustache scheming type character keep the movie lighthearted and funny. Frenchie beauty Capucine plays the hooker with the heart of gold that trys to claim Sam McCords heart. Ha - new quote to the list (now to have to do it in the John Wayne typical drawl): There's one thing you gotta learn about women. They're all liars. And if they ain't liars, they're worse, laying for you with wedding music. Take that little dame from Oregon. All I was doing was tying her shoe laces and she starts beating me over the head with a preacher. Or that little thing from Minnesota, who tried to marry me while I was so drunk I didn't know what I was doing, if it hadn't been for the parson's mercy, I'd have been hooked good, for good! You just can't trust women. No matter how honest they act, they all want to be wives!
Moe E

Watched this on AMC a few weeks ago and really enjoyed it. Stars The Duke, Stewart Granger, Fabian and a very lovely lady...Capucine.

Cast

            John Wayne as Sam McCord

            Stewart Granger as George Pratt

            Ernie Kovacs as Frankie Canon

            Fabian as Billy Pratt

            Capucine as Michelle "Angel"

            Mickey Shaughnessy as Peter Boggs

            Karl Swenson as Lars Nordquist

            Kathleen Freeman as Lena Nordquist

            John Qualen as Logger

            Stanley Adams as Breezy

            Stephen Courtleigh as Duggan

            Douglas Dick as Lieutenant

            Jerry O'Sullivan as Sergeant

            Ollie O'Toole as Mack

            Frank Faylen as Arnie

            Fred Graham as Ole

            Alan Carney as Bartender with Hat

            Peter Bourne as Olaf

            Fortune Gordien as Lumberjack

            Rayford Barnes as Gold Buyer

            Oscar Beregi Sr. as Captain

            Lilyan Chauvin as Jenny Lamont

            Richard Collier as Skinny Sourdough

            Esther Dale as Woman at picnic

            Maurice Dallimore as Bartender

            Richard Deacon as Angus Desk Clerk

            Joey Faye as Sourdough

            James Griffith as Salvationist

            Marcel Hillaire as Jenny's Husband Butler

            Dog: Hobo as Clancy

            Roy Jenson as Logger

            Johnny Lee as Coachman

            Paul Maxey as Person

            Kermit Maynard as Townsman

            Tudor Owen as Purser

            Charles Seel as Gold buyer

            Joe Sawyer as Land Commissioner

            Arlene Harris as Queen Lil

            Tom Dillon as Barber
See full cast