It is rare for a B-western to receive accolades and numerous 10's from IMDb members, but "Trailing North" is indeed one of those rare films for which there are plentiful and valid reasons to justify such attention.
This is indeed an adult western and the director, John P. McCarthy, shines so brightly here. He made a number of solidly atmospheric early westerns, several with Bob Steele, and repeatedly shows his mastery at scene composition and thoughtful camera manipulation with this near-epic. Writer Harry Fraser (a prolific director in his own right) must also be saluted for going the extra mile in helping to create a film with so much vitality.
First of all, this film is highly unusual in its setting, in that all the action takes place on snow-enshrouded, conifer-forested lands, with ear muffs and woolen caps, transit by dog sleds, snow shoes, and the heaviest of coats in full use. That the sets showcase mountain rusticity at its best is another strength. Obviously the creators of this film set out to make something special, perhaps to counter some of the higher quality B-westerns that Randolph Scott and director Henry Hathaway were doing in interpreting some Zane Grey stories over at Paramount.
Attention to detail is greatly appreciated, for example having snowshoes placed around the buildings that the characters frequent. I don't know if Doris Hill (as Mitzi) did the actual singing (she did come from vaudeville), but the song she sang is beautifully done and suggests in its sweetness a combination of Ruth Etting and Kate Smith.
Although the print I witnessed was crystal clear there was some irritating choppiness early on, including during Bob Steele's musical number. But the print smoothed out later. And some of the dialog is charmingly snappy.
Bob enjoys at least three kisses during the program, including two that are quite inspired and sensuous, which rival the intensity and meaningfulness of those from the era's mainstream cinema . Also unusual is that horses are few and far between, as are cowboy hats. This movie is certainly one that marches to its own drummer!
One affectingly memorable scene concerns the dissolving of lights surrounding the fireplace. Touches like the aforementioned all serve to make this a film one of true distinction.
Even with all these cinematic window dressings at play, they would be of less impact if the story itself was not excellent, which it is. The tension and sympathy mount as we vicariously experience Steele's conflict of falling in love with Doris, who he strongly suspects is complicit to an unspecified degree in the killing of his friend and admired mentor in law enforcement, which is the reason he is on this adventure in the first place. Additionally, too, Steele's scene with the expiring said Ranger Powers (actor Fred Burns) is about as poignant and well done as one will see in a B-western film.
The only complaint about "Trailing North" is that the ending is wrapped up a little too hurriedly and too antiseptically. But then again, an ending too conscious of itself might have left itself open to criticism, too.
So in conclusion, "Trailing North" is a feast for fans of early westerns and can easily be viewed more than once and enjoyed for all the richness it contains. Please enjoy!
This is indeed an adult western and the director, John P. McCarthy, shines so brightly here. He made a number of solidly atmospheric early westerns, several with Bob Steele, and repeatedly shows his mastery at scene composition and thoughtful camera manipulation with this near-epic. Writer Harry Fraser (a prolific director in his own right) must also be saluted for going the extra mile in helping to create a film with so much vitality.
First of all, this film is highly unusual in its setting, in that all the action takes place on snow-enshrouded, conifer-forested lands, with ear muffs and woolen caps, transit by dog sleds, snow shoes, and the heaviest of coats in full use. That the sets showcase mountain rusticity at its best is another strength. Obviously the creators of this film set out to make something special, perhaps to counter some of the higher quality B-westerns that Randolph Scott and director Henry Hathaway were doing in interpreting some Zane Grey stories over at Paramount.
Attention to detail is greatly appreciated, for example having snowshoes placed around the buildings that the characters frequent. I don't know if Doris Hill (as Mitzi) did the actual singing (she did come from vaudeville), but the song she sang is beautifully done and suggests in its sweetness a combination of Ruth Etting and Kate Smith.
Although the print I witnessed was crystal clear there was some irritating choppiness early on, including during Bob Steele's musical number. But the print smoothed out later. And some of the dialog is charmingly snappy.
Bob enjoys at least three kisses during the program, including two that are quite inspired and sensuous, which rival the intensity and meaningfulness of those from the era's mainstream cinema . Also unusual is that horses are few and far between, as are cowboy hats. This movie is certainly one that marches to its own drummer!
One affectingly memorable scene concerns the dissolving of lights surrounding the fireplace. Touches like the aforementioned all serve to make this a film one of true distinction.
Even with all these cinematic window dressings at play, they would be of less impact if the story itself was not excellent, which it is. The tension and sympathy mount as we vicariously experience Steele's conflict of falling in love with Doris, who he strongly suspects is complicit to an unspecified degree in the killing of his friend and admired mentor in law enforcement, which is the reason he is on this adventure in the first place. Additionally, too, Steele's scene with the expiring said Ranger Powers (actor Fred Burns) is about as poignant and well done as one will see in a B-western film.
The only complaint about "Trailing North" is that the ending is wrapped up a little too hurriedly and too antiseptically. But then again, an ending too conscious of itself might have left itself open to criticism, too.
So in conclusion, "Trailing North" is a feast for fans of early westerns and can easily be viewed more than once and enjoyed for all the richness it contains. Please enjoy!