Spawn of the North (1938)

Sorry, this movie sucks

I don't have all the words right now but this film is a work of art.

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

This film is so real. It treats its characters with so much care and sensitivity.

Not copyrighted. A Paramount picture. New York opening at the Paramount 7 September 1938. U.S. release: 26 August 1938. Sydney opening at the Prince Edward, 19 November 1938 (ran 4 weeks). 110 minutes.SYNOPSIS: Russian salmon fisheries are on the agenda!NOTES: Special Academy Award "for outstanding achievement in creating Special Photographic and Sound Effects in the Paramount production, Spawn of the North. Special Effects by Gordon Jennings, assisted by Jan Domela, Dev Jennings, Irmin Roberts and Art Smith. Transparencies by Farciot Edouart, assisted by Loyal Griggs. Sound effects by Loren Ryder, assisted by Harry Mills, Louis H. Mesenkop and Walter Oberst".Re-made in 1954 as "Alaska Seas".COMMENT: A typically vigorous Henry Hathaway actioner, "Spawn of the North" is a powerful drama with some terrific action scenes and awesome location material brilliantly blended into the studio footage. Mind you, this studio footage isn't to be put down either, as all the players contribute excellent portrayals, particularly John Barrymore as a loquacious newspaper editor (well-named "Windy") and Lynne Overman as his "translater". Lamour is quite fetching, while Fonda, Raft, Tamiroff and Sokoloff also provide most agreeable character sketches. My only complaint is that the movie is a trifle over-long. The big fight scene occurs almost 30 minutes from the actual end of the picture. Slight trimming of this excess anti-climax would be helpful. The hero's dilemma is real and believable, even though the basic plot is one of the most commonly used in Hollywood movies. The characters also are thoroughly convincing, even though on paper they might be criticized as stereotypes. It's the way they are so skilfully and dramatically brought to life on the screen that counts. Hathaway's solid, punchy direction could not be bettered. Other technical credits are likewise first-rate. All told, this movie certainly comes across as gripping entertainment.

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.

Some surprisingly violent action scenes are the highlights of this Alaska-set adventure tale of boats and salmon fishermen, which plays like a disguised Western. Unfortunately, they're lost in a sea of footage (almost two hours), and the savvy viewer can see the ending coming from halfway to Skag