DVD/Blu Ray review: Spawn of the North (1938)

Kino Lorber’s classics division continues its release of some top drawer Paramount titles with Henry Hathaway’s brilliant adventure Spawn of the North, starring George Raft, Henry Fonda, Dorothy Lamour, and John Barrymore.

Spawn of the North deals with salmon cannery owner Jim Kimmerlee (Fonda) and his buddy Tyler Dawson (George Raft). When Russian bandit (Akim Tamiroff) is stealing from fishing traps, Jim sets out to stop him but Tyler joins up with him. This causes a conflict between the two friends with Tyler making the ultimate sacrifice in the end. There is also a romance between Jim and Diana (Louise Platt) a girl he’s known since childhood, but who has gone to college and has trouble dealing with the fishing community after experiencing education and refinement. Tyler’s girl is Nicky Duval (Dorothy Lamour) with whom he has a loving but contentious relationship.

This was George Raft’s penultimate film for Paramount Pictures before going to Warner Brothers to star in movies opposite the likes of James Cagney and Humphrey Bogart. At Paramount, Raft had appeared in such enduring classics as The Glass Key, Souls at Sea, and Bolero. Henry Fonda had scored in William Wyler’s Jezebel, in support of Bette Davis, and Fritz Lang’s You Only Live Once, co-starring with Sylvia Sidney. Dorothy Lamour had created a sensation in John Ford’s The Hurricane.

Henry Fonda later stated that he made this movie for the money, but later was impressed with how well it turned out. It really is a remarkable piece of work, director Hathaway doing a lot with the backlot filming, making it appear like the movie was shot on location. Dorothy Lamour was allowed to explore a more layered character rather than rely on her beauty. She effectively rises to the occasion. And George Raft, who was perhaps as famous for walking off or refusing projects, plays a character that has many varied elements. His love for the Lamour character, affection for his childhood friend Fonda, and choice to throw in with Tamiroff, all eventually clash. His final scene, when he causes and avalanche to kill both him and the Tamiroff character offers a powerful conclusion that defines the complexities of Raft’s character as good.

Filling in the supporting roles with such veterans as the great John Barrymore, Fuzzy Knight, and Lynne Overman helps round out the top level acting. Richard Talmadge was responsible for second unit direction shot on location, which provides an impressive opening montage. The special effects netted an Oscar. And then entire production is enhanced by the musical score by Dimitri Tiomkin.

Spawn of the North was a major box office hit and its blu ray release from Kino Lorber is most welcome. Along with the film, there is a commentary track by the always realiable and interesting Lee Gambin and Rutanya Alda.

The blu ray can be ordered at this link: Spawn of the North