Les gars du large

None of the other reviews have mentioned that SPAWN OF THE NORTH is in fact a remake of THE VIRGINIAN, with a change in locale from Wyoming to Alaska. There is also one other notable change. While Akim Tamiroff is Trampas and Henry Fonda steps into Gary Cooper's boots as The Virginian, the emphasis has been shifted to the likable but shady Steve character (Richard Arlen in the '29 talkie, George Raft here). SPAWN OF THE NORTH would itself be remade in 1954 as ALASKA SEAS, with a nice cast including Robert Ryan, Brian Keith, and Gene Barry in the roles played by Raft, Fonda, and Tamiroff respectively. On its own terms SPAWN OF THE NORTH is very effective entertainment, thanks to the guiding hand of director Henry Hathaway as well as its cast, not only the aforementioned stars but also experienced scene-stealers John Barrymore and Lynne Overman in support.

This has been called a western at sea and deservedly, considering the shootouts and roughhousing and a plot line of conflicted loyalties. There is great wildlife and glacier footage and tasty atmosphere. George Raft and Henry Fonda are an odd-couple match, but the chemistry works for the worldly-innocent contrast. In the "egg" incident, notice how both of them seem genuinely tickled. Fonda, of course, is the do-gooder and has little to do here until emotions build toward the climax. Raft has the more interesting role, and a salmon fisherman is a part definitely out of the norm for him. He gets an opportunity to lightly display a variety of talents (singing, swimming, stuntwork). But best of all, this is an example of the kind of performance that thoughtful direction like Hathaway's could bring from him. A vital sequence is emotionally honest without being hysterical or histrionic, and it's perfectly toned to the point of being wrenching. Also having good turns out of the usual are Dorothy Lamour and Akim Tamiroff, though John Barrymore seems a bit wasted - no pun intended.

This is a real good movie. Henry Fonda and George Raft Play the rival fishermen. Near the end of the movie George Raft is shot. While resting in bed he smokes a cigarette and the smoke comes up out of the bullet holes in his chest!? I remember when I was in high school. We were learning about first aid. The teacher told us about never giving a cigarette to an injury victim. Then he told us about a Humphrey Bogart movie where after being shot he smoked a cigarette and the smoke came out of his chest. I searched for years and found out it was the "Spawn of The North", With GEORGE RAFT not Bogart. Watch for this movie on AMC or TCM, just to see this scene. It is well worth watching, with fine acting and great scenery.

Because we're so familiar with Hollywood's ability to use computer graphics imagery in today's top blockbusters, we can't fathom how movies before computers were made creating and showing breathtaking visuals. Many older films were produced ingeniously using effects that are now no longer practiced, such as seen in Paramount Pictures' August 1938 "Spawn of the North," the first movie to be given an Oscar, albeit honorary, for its special effects. The award opened the way for the Academy Awards to establish the "Best Special Effects" category the following year.

Before 1938's "Spawn of the North," cinema had a long history of producing special effects ever since France's George Melies took his journey into space in 1903's "A Trip to the Moon." The Academy was slow to recognize such achievements, restricting its 'Best Engineering Effects' to only the silent film 1929's "Wings" before eliminating the category. When 1933's "King Kong" mesmerized audiences, RKO producer David O. Selznick unsuccessfully lobbied the Academy to highlight the work of stop-motion wizard Willis O'Brien. Academy board members finally felt the need to honor the work of effects technicians in "Spawn of the North." The spectacular movie was the first to use a huge 36-foot rear projection screen to create realistic depth of field images, matte paintings and other tricks that brought the wilds of Alaska to the neighborhood screen.

Director Henry Hathaway assigned a film crew to the northern territory to capture Alaska's boundless, rugged country. Once he received over 75,000 feet of footage in the six months of shooting, Hathaway, through the magic of special effects, brilliantly used the clips to complement his Hollywood studio shooting for "Spawn of the North." Spectacular shots, including the salmon migration up the rivers seen in the beginning of the movie as well as the spell-bounding sequences with their glacier calving near our heroes' boats, added tremendously to the picture's excitement. Additional footage taken at Lake Tahoe, Lake Arrowhead, the coastal areas of California as well as the mock Indian villages gave viewers a sense that all the motion picture's action took place in Alaska. A massive 375,000 gallon tank complete with piers and fishing boats built inside the Paramount studio lot allowed Hathaway to direct his controlled shots.

Film reviewer Laura Boyes noticed, "Even with our modern, sophisticated eye, it's not always possible to decide how certain effects were obtained."

The story loosely follows the structure of 'The Virginian,' where two close friends, Jim (Henry Fonda) a salmon cannery owner, links up with buddy Tyler (George Raft), who has taken out a loan on a boat to hunt seals. After Jim rejects his offer to partner on his ship, Tyler seeks out Ruskie Red Skain (Akim Tamiroff), who's notorious for stealing fishing traps. Jim and Tyler eventually come to blows, but the ending is one that brings tears to even the most unsentimental muscle men. Lending the requisite romantic angle to "Spawn of the North" is Dorothy Lamour as Nicky Duval, girlfriend of Tyler's. Lamour replaced an ill Carole Lombard as the proprietor of the fishing community's hotel who goes around not wearing a bra. Louise Platt as 'Di' Turlon, an East Coast gal who's a little startled by the wildness of Alaska, is visiting her father Windy Turlon (John Barrymore), a newspaper editor.

"Spawn of the North" was a huge hit for Paramount, and produced a remake in 1954 called "Alaska Seas," starring Robert Ryan and Brian Keith.

The setting could have been the OLD WEST or a Prohibition Gangster film, the plots are that interchangeable. Instead we have the great North-West territory of Alaska at the beginning of the 20th Century. The formula, a standard one for the 1930s, two Friends from similar back-rounds in Childhood. Upon maturity both come to a fork in the roads one going for the 'fast buck' the other wanting to build a new civilization.

Casting George Raft as Tyler Dawson assured that his character was going to take short-cuts. That left Henry Fonda's Jim Kimmerlee as the forthright and upright Friend. Each has a girl reflecting their respective temperaments. Dawson's Nicky Duval, Dorothy Lamour with a questionable background and good girl, Diane 'Di' Turlon, Louise Platt. Daughter of Windy Turlon, John Barrymore and with a name like 'RED' Skain you knew Akim Tamiroff was going to be up to no good.

The fight is over the annual Salmon run. 'RED' and Tyler just wanting to skim off others hard work. Jim and his Friends form a Vigilence Committee and with 'Harp Guns' at the ready do battle with the FISH PIRATES. Plenty of action, scenery with skillful directing by Henry Hathaway. Seldom seen now it was often shown on the old AMC. Available on DVD, good print, but NO extras, not even subtitles for the hard of hearing. Ask your library to order this one it is worth the viewing. Though John Barrymore was slipping into a caricature of himself and no longer 'The Great Profile'.