Men of the North (1930) * 1/2 (out of 4) Hal Roach directed this "action/adventure" set in Canada. Louis La Bey (Gilbert Roland) is accused of stealing some gold but in the meantime he has a couple women wanting him. I'm sorry if that plot description is bad or just doesn't due the film justice but I'll gladly admit that the story mad very little to no sense to me. This entire picture is a must see because of how bad the thing is and there's never a single second that makes any sense. I'd love to hear some backstory on this thing because what I do know is that Roach brought his huge library of stars to MGM and somehow he was allowed to direct this film. Was this picture offered up in some sort of deal? Did MGM just wish he'd shut up and they allowed him to make a movie? I'm really not sure but it says quite a bit that the studio didn't turn over any of their "A" stars or even any of their "B" stars. Roland, a major Latin lover symbol in the silent era, is quite frankly, awful here. He's suppose to be playing a French guy yet he has an incredibly think Mexican accent that he never tries to cover up. There are a few supporting players who do the same thing and it just really makes the entire film odd to say the least. I'm really not sure why they didn't try to write something around the accents or at least change something about his character but seeing a French guy with a Mexican accent just makes for some laughs. The cinematography is quite ugly throughout the picture and the story is just so thin and all over the place that I'm not sure what's going on. Roach's direction isn't much better because he obviously can't tell a story and really doesn't have any business doing a film of this genre. MEN OF THE NORTH is one of the strangest films of the decade so fans of the bad will probably want to check it out but all others should stay clear.

Gilbert Roland was the type of Latin lothario who had to make sure his hair was washed every day in order not to look as oily as the characters he played. Even here, with an obvious fake French accent and heavy winter coats, that oily nature can't be overlooked. He's an accused thief, although the script indicates a justification. The typical romance ensues with an out of town visitor while a local admirer broods. Pretty to look at in spite of slow pacing, it hits its heights during a dramatic avalanche hits. Roland is surrounded by all unknowns but is given a unique choice for director, a comedy veteran named Hal Roach.

I can only think of one reason to watch this. I had a ball watching Gilbert Roland in the role of a Frenchman. Roland was one of the silent screen's most well known Latin lovers. He does not even TRY to sound like a French speaking character. His strong accent is pure south of the border. Pretty funny stuff. Otherwise embarrassing to all concerned. Moves at a snails pace and once it gets there it just sort of lays down and dies. Directed by Laurel and Hardy's boss Hal Roach for MGM.Early sound effort that just keeps on talking and talking and talking. The dialog is astoundingly stupid, even for it's day. Good luck with this one.

This little Hal Roach film made during the early talkies is a very good time waster. Filmed on locations in Canada or Alaska, the sets are exquisite for this beautiful story - I won't repeat after the summary lines above. The young Gilbert Roland is surprising here, as the very lead. He was rather known as supporting characters in most of his films. Of course, this flick is not Andrew Marton's WILD COUNTRY or William Wellman's CALL OF THE WILD. An effective B picture, I guess no one thinks about now. It has been aired on TCM US. That's how I could take it. It's not unforgettable but worth although.The avalanche sequence is breath taking for this period.