So much average

i must have seen a different film!!

it is finally so absorbing because it plays like a lyrical road odyssey that’s also a detective story.

I wanted to like it more than I actually did... But much of the humor totally escaped me and I walked out only mildly impressed.

A Charles K. Feldman Group Production for Frank Lloyd Productions, Inc. Copyright 15 April 1942 by Universal Pictures Co., Inc. New York opening at the Capitol: 21 May 1942. U.S. release: 8 May 1942. U.K. release through General Film Distributors: 13 July 1942. Australian release: 17 June 1943. 7,914 feet. 87 minutes.SYNOPSIS: A bogus gold commissioner and a crooked judge gain control of an Alaskan gold mine.NOTES: Fourth of five versions of The Spoilers. The others were made in 1914, 1923, 1930 and 1955. William Farnum, who plays the lawyer Wheaton in this one, starred as Glennister in the 1914 movie, while Lloyd Ingraham who plays a minor role here was Judge Stillman in the 1930 Gary Cooper-William Boyd version. Other Roy Glennisters were Milton Stills in 1923 and Jeff Chandler in 1955. McNamara was played by Tom Santschi, Noah Beery, William "Stage" Boyd, Randolph Scott and finally Rory Calhoun. The 1923 film was directed by Lambert Hillyer, while Edwin Carewe took control in 1930. Jesse Hibbs handled the 1955 film. This one was nominated for an award from The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for its black-and-white Art Direction, but lost to This Above All.COMMENT: Good to see this one again. True, the climactic fist fight in which Wayne and Scott are helped out by doubles, Eddie Parker and Alan Pomeroy, now seems somewhat less exciting. But it's hard to dim the allure of Miss Dietrich at her zenith (even if the script oddly fails to provide her with a single song, despite ample opportunities for same), whilst Scott is especially convincing as the villain. (Was this the only time he played a heavy?) Wayne of course is Wayne, but he is helped out by Harry Carey and a grand support cast. We could go through the list of players, commending people right, left and center, but we'll limit ourselves to a special pat on the back for Richard Barthelmess. The script packs in plenty of humor. The approach is often light-hearted with in-jokes ("Lee Marcus just checked out") including a guest appearance by Robert W. Service. The direction by Ray Enright is surprisingly fluid, and production values are nothing short of lavish.COMMENT ON A SECOND VIEWING: This Spoilers holds up rather well. The pace is fast, packing in plenty of action and even a few intentional laughs. Spectacularly filmed on an extremely lavish budget, with remarkably authentic-looking sets that were justly nominated for a prestigious Hollywood Award, this version also features an outstanding cast. Not only are the principals exciting, but many of the character players including favorites like Russell Simpson, Jack Norton, William Haade and Charles Halton are given some great opportunities to shine. Good to see Samuel S. Hinds excelling himself on the wrong side of the law for once. Ditto Margaret Lindsay. Of course Richard Barthelmess is always interesting, and we love Harry Carey too. Directed with marvelous pace and a fluid camera style by Ray Enright, of all people, but he was doubtless heavily strong-armed by producer Frank Mutiny on the Bounty Lloyd. The three main stars deserve cheers. Three cheers for the stars. Three cheers for the support players. Three cheers for the writers and all the technical personnel. Five out of five stars for the movie.

Aided by saloon owner Marlene Dietrich, John Wayne and his cantankerous partner Harry Carey Sr. battle claim jumping of the legal variety, perpetrated by villainous bureaucrat Randolph Scott.A sometimes painfully slow first half, partially due to Dietrich's role being stretched out to fit her top-billed status, is redeemed by an engrossing and exciting second half, including a rousing climax at Wayne and Carey's mine and a helluva great fist-fight between the Duke and Scott.Harry Carey easily gives the best performance of the film. He and his rifle steal every scene they're in!

The John Wayne Marathon continues into the 14th hour with a whole boatload of interesting characters in a story about the gold rush in Alaska.Wayne gets third billing in this movie to Marlene Dietrich and Randolph Scott. Dietrich plays a jealous girlfriend and Scott is the new dude in town that is muscling in.Margaret Lindsay plays the new girl in town after Wayne's heart. Harry Carey is Wayne's partner.This is at least the 4th version of this story and it won't be the last. A tale of gold mining, claim jumping, saloon, muddy streets, brawls and fancy women will always be in style.Hang on to your hat and enjoy another Wayne classic.

I like films like THE SPOILERS because they have absolutely no pretense about them. They are simple B-movie-type films with relatively simple plots and familiar actors but pack a lot of predictable but fun entertainment into them. Sure, since it's a John Wayne flick you KNOW that he will win in the end and you KNOW what to expect. And, for me, that's not a bad thing. I like a good old fashioned John Wayne flick like most of the ones he did in the 40s--good, solid, and entertaining. The only odd thing is that the Duke is billed 3rd when it is clearly his film. Top billing went to Marlena Dietrich--who at the time was the bigger star. However, her part is pretty flat and she clearly acts in support of Wayne. And, second billing went to Randolph Scott. But, once again he was clearly not the leading character but the villain. Now if all this doesn't make sense, you need to understand that although Wayne had made many films by 1942, most were B-movies and he still was only just becoming the break-out star he would so clearly be in just a few short years.In addition to being a good old John Wayne flick (among his better ones of the 40s), the direction and plot are pretty good as well. A very good movie--nearly deserving a score of 8.