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.
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
Lalo Encinas
Kali
Thomas E. Jackson
'Tex' Rickard
Russ Powell
Bartender
Herman Bing
Sam
George MacQuarrie
Mounted Policeman
Buck
Buck
Leon Beaumon
Man Outside Hospital (uncredited)
Wade Boteler
First Miner in Dawson (uncredited)
Pat Flaherty
Dandy on Street (uncredited)
Kay Johnson
Show Girl (uncredited)
Joan Woodbury
Show Girl (uncredited)
Harry Woods
Soapy Smith (uncredited)
Charles Stevens
Francois
Director
William A. Wellman
Screenplay
Leonard Praskins
Screenplay
Gene Fowler
Story
Jack London
June 19, 2022
6
Clark Gable is on fine form here as intrepid Yukon prospector "Jack Thornton". His lucky streak starts when he saves "Buck" - a big, loyal, half dog/half wolf from being shot. Then he alights on the good natured "Shorty" (Jack Oakie) who has his own equivalent of a treasure map. With an Herculean effort from his dog, he manages to win enough money to supply their quest and together with "Claire" (Loretta Young) whom he had previously rescued from the winter, off they set in search of gold... If it were just a rugged wilderness adventure, then this would have been a good film. Their battle against the terrain, the elements and the avaricious Reginald Owen ("Mr. Smith") who is out to out-claim them, is good and entertaining. Sadly, it isn't - the role of Young introduces a romantic element that, though it humanises Gable's rough and determined character to some extent, does drag the film down somewhat. When, towards the end, they discover her long-lost husband (who happens to be the original owner of the map!) it all just loses it's way. William Wellman paces the story well, gets good performances from Gable and, especially, Oakie who provides much of the humour - and I did enjoy it. I could just have been doing with a little less slush and a bit more "mush"...
Status:
Released
Original Language:
English
Budget:
$0.00
Revenue:
$0.00