User Reviews

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.

I give this film high marks for historical accuracy, aside from the inclusion of fictional Julie Morgan(Carol Bruce), as a stowaway. Clearly, writer Gilbert Gabriel carefully investigated the historical details of this expedition. In 1811, fur king John Jacob Astor sends an expedition to Oregon by ship, to bring back furs obtained from the Native Americans or trapped by the crew. In addition, they built a fort: presumably the historic Fort Astoria, by the mouth of the Columbia River. All 5 of the main male characters were given names identical to, or nearly so, to their historic counterparts. The incident where Carol and French voyageur Ovide( John Carrol) are late to return to the ship, prompting Captain Thorn(Walter Brennan) to talk of sailing without them, is based on a real incident involving 8 men. As in the film, Robert Stevens(Franchot Tone) did threaten Thorn if he carried out his intension to maroon these men. The name of the ship: Tonquin is the same as the real ship, and, as the historical ship, it was destroyed during a melee with Native Americans who had boarded the ship to trade. However, I doubt it was destroyed in the same spectacular manner. ....So, how did Julie end up a stowaway on a ship exploring a wilderness? Her recent boyfriend , Ovide, had told her the ship was going to France. She had visions of singing in cafes in Paris, as she had done in NYC. She was mighty angry with Ovide when she discovered the truth. Their relationship during the voyage continued to have it's ups and downs. Later, Stevens began to show some interest in her, and the two men had a ruckus over her at one point......Carrol made a charismatic boisterous leader of the French voyageurs aboard, rather similar to the performance of Paul Muni, who played famed trapper Pierre Radisson in "Hudson Bay", which was released the same year. I wonder if one copied the performance of the other? Walter Brennan did a great job in his pivotal role as Captain Thorn, who was very strict in maintaining his authority, taking no favorites......See the film at YouTube.

Thanks to a largely negative review by Theodore Strauss in The New York Times, this film has a poor reputation. Strauss was obviously expecting Frank Lloyd to produce another Mutiny on the Bounty. This movie certainly rates as somewhat less than that magnificent achievement. Nonetheless, it does bring Lloyd straight back to his old stamping ground.

Frank Lloyd and sailing ships! The old master not only back on his favorite turf but re-united with Franchot Tone, giving a splendid performance here as the mild-mannered clerk who comes to life in the wilderness. And we're also treated to a top-notch portrayal from Walter Brennan (who can give Charles Laughton a run for his money) as the schooner's martinet, Captain Thorn. Unlike surly Laughton, who was inclined to over-do the glowering Bligh, Brennan never allows the character to completely alienate audience sympathy. His is a full-bodied and rounded characterization.

The same, unfortunately, cannot be said for John Carroll, who really pours on the French swagger (and exaggerated accent) as a rival suitor for the lovely Carol Bruce.

A famous Broadway singing star, Miss Bruce made only five feature film appearances. This is the first. The others: Keep 'Em Flying (1941), Behind the Eight Ball (1942), American Gigolo (1980), Planes Trains and Automobiles (1987). She also voiced The Old One in the 1996 animated Land Before Time IV. The attractive Bruce offers a charming performance here. In fact, she is such an altogether delightful heroine, anyone would think that a chance like this to see her at her best would put This Woman Is Mine on everybody's not-to-miss-list list. Fortunately for us too, she's also offers a rousingly good Richard Hageman song which she renders in first-class style.

Lloyd's vigorous direction is ably abetted by Milton Krasner's fine cinematography and some splendid sets designed by Jack Otterson and John B. Goodman. Vera West's attractive costumes are a delight too. All told, a must-see movie.