For those of us who seek out the obscure classics, discovering lost treasures is a definite pleasure. But then on occasion comes along an A movie from the golden age, and you can see why it is not broadcast or discussed as being a classic. there are those which are sleepers that have a small cult following and those which are missed opportunities, excellent technically but perhaps weekly edited or badly directed or featuring one performance that stands out as either fantastic or extremely weak among the rest.
This Frank Lloyd film, released by Universal as America was facing World War II, is one of those big budget films that has slipped through the cracks and only discovered by those seeking out the obscure. Coming at a time when Hollywood was examining America's past through epics and historical dramas and period adventures, it is full of promise but lacks the spark that makes for a good film. The film stars Franchot Tone and John Carroll as rivals for the love of stowaway Carol Bruce on Walter Brennan's ship, heading on a fur-trading journey. Not only do they have issues with the tyrannical Brennan but the natives who hate the white man and want to see them destroyed.
Sounds great as a story, but the exposition is a different matter. Carol Bruce, who made a few B films before achieving minor Broadway stardom, is the feisty heroine whom Carrol has promised to take to Paris. but he doesn't really have sincerity, and this puts her in a position of being the only woman aboard a ship full of dozens of lonely man. To make matters worse, Captain Brennan isn't the easiest fellow to get along with, obviously lonely for his wife and secretly jealous of the affections Carrol receives from the younger members of the crew.
The three-time oscar-winning Brennan is absolutely brilliant in this film, playing a very complex man who would be easy to hate if you couldn't see the subtleties of who he is underneath his commanding presence. Tone is adequate, Bruce is out of her league as as the only woman in the film (sadly lacking the presence of an Yvonne De Carlo or even Maria Montez whom thiss part cries out for), but the bad acting honors go to John Carroll for his overacting with a hideous French accent. Nigel Bruce is completely wasted, and the natives are stereotypical in every manner, either extremely welcoming or extremely barbaric. It is a flawed film with some good ideas that just didn't come together as an entire package.
This Frank Lloyd film, released by Universal as America was facing World War II, is one of those big budget films that has slipped through the cracks and only discovered by those seeking out the obscure. Coming at a time when Hollywood was examining America's past through epics and historical dramas and period adventures, it is full of promise but lacks the spark that makes for a good film. The film stars Franchot Tone and John Carroll as rivals for the love of stowaway Carol Bruce on Walter Brennan's ship, heading on a fur-trading journey. Not only do they have issues with the tyrannical Brennan but the natives who hate the white man and want to see them destroyed.
Sounds great as a story, but the exposition is a different matter. Carol Bruce, who made a few B films before achieving minor Broadway stardom, is the feisty heroine whom Carrol has promised to take to Paris. but he doesn't really have sincerity, and this puts her in a position of being the only woman aboard a ship full of dozens of lonely man. To make matters worse, Captain Brennan isn't the easiest fellow to get along with, obviously lonely for his wife and secretly jealous of the affections Carrol receives from the younger members of the crew.
The three-time oscar-winning Brennan is absolutely brilliant in this film, playing a very complex man who would be easy to hate if you couldn't see the subtleties of who he is underneath his commanding presence. Tone is adequate, Bruce is out of her league as as the only woman in the film (sadly lacking the presence of an Yvonne De Carlo or even Maria Montez whom thiss part cries out for), but the bad acting honors go to John Carroll for his overacting with a hideous French accent. Nigel Bruce is completely wasted, and the natives are stereotypical in every manner, either extremely welcoming or extremely barbaric. It is a flawed film with some good ideas that just didn't come together as an entire package.