This is a fairly funny Western romance.At first it seems pretty weak, but on second viewing, it is better. Not great, but better.The review that stated this was better than the classic THE COMMANCHEROS, is ridiculous. This is not nearly that good, but it wasn't meant to be.Still, the big name stars do a great job on what is more a stage comedy than a blockbuster movie, and that's good.The direction is extremely good, and the reason it works better on a second viewing. The cause and effect, the logic of the sequence of events, are excellently done. It's not a "deep" movie, just a "fun" movie.

As I decided to have a break from studying, I flicked through channels and this film was on the Film4 channel, so I'm like, sure why not? I have only seen one John Wayne film properly which was the "Quiet Man" but I got to manage to sit this one out too! I swear Capucine was such a bae back then. She really is so pretty like it's a surprise that I've never heard of her before. She really brightens the screen and I honestly didn't expect she would hook up with John Wayne's character in the end. I would've thought she would hook up with Fabian's character, Billy. It's just, they look similar in age whereas John Wayne looked ten times older. There ya go, films like these contain surprises!It's a very funny movie that all ages would enjoy! I would definitely recommend this old gem to anyone who hasn't ever seen it before!

...but still fun. Ernie Kovacs puts the plot, such as there is, into motion with a successful scam - first in a long line of unsuccessful ones - and The Duke has to fight to defend his gold claim, his brother and his best pal, all the while carrying on rather unintended romance with beautiful French prostitute Capucine. It's all pretty silly and obvious, but the principals throw a lot of charm and manic energy into the action and comedy both and the result is surprisingly entertaining in a sledge hammer sort of fashion. The scenery looks gorgeous and the action moves along crisply, plus outdoor movie veterans Stewart Granger and The Duke look perfectly at home on the Edge of Nowhere. The real revelation here, though, is Capucine who shows a rare talent for playing it straight while setting up everyone else. (It was an old Vaudeville axiom that comedians were a dime a dozen, but a good straight man was hard to find.) Capucine proves here, just as she did in The Pink Panther two years later that she can keep her dignity while all about her are losing theirs, thanks to an arch and knowing awareness in the midst of any amount of tomfoolery. There are big fight scenes, big barbecues, bit trees, big landscapes; everything is suitably big, just as you would want in a John Wayne movie. Nothing really special or unexpected happens over the film's considerable length, but as a character comedy set against a big backdrop of big ambition, big greed, big stakes, just plain old big everything, it's a pretty fine way for any Wayne fan to spend two hours on a lazy afternoon.And, since Capucine's supposed occupation is handled in a suitably G- rated fashion (for the early 1960s) the movie is very kid friendly, too. Enjoy.

"John Wayne and Stewart Granger strike it rich in this rousing comedy-adventure set in the heyday of the Alaskan gold rush. When prospectors Sam McCord (Wayne) and George Pratt (Granger) hit the mother lode, George asks Sam to go to Seattle and fetch his sweetheart, Jennie, but she has already married someone else. Determined to bring George to a new life, Sam invites a salon dancer (Capucine) back to Nome as Jennie's replacement," according to the film's promotional description.The synopsis is also given in rockabilly singer Johnny Horton's excellent "North to Alaska" crossover hit, which was released just prior to the film, and served as an excellent promotional tool. All of this occurred simultaneously with Mr. Horton's sudden death in a car accident - which is an ironic tragedy, considering this film's celebration of alcohol.Teen idol Fabian (as Billy Pratt) performs "If You Knew" (a lesser tune). Filling the pin-up boy part in the Wayne formula for box office success, Fabian is surprisingly good as a comedian, especially in the "drunk" scene with Capucine. A fine comic, Ernie Kovacs (as Frankie Canon) isn't able to do much with his role. Wayne is funnier. Upping the level to near "Three Stooges" levels, director Henry Hathaway guides the cast through a lot of mud, not so much blood, and several kegs of beer.****** North to Alaska (11/3/60) Henry Hathaway ~ John Wayne, Stewart Granger, Fabian, Capucine