This B-movie rises above it's limitations to make an exciting, unusual thriller Set in in Alaska, with at least some location work, surprising for a Monogram picture, it feels cold just watching it. The background is populated with Eskimos/Inuits which helps, although the story involves white people. Reliable Wayne Morris is a freelance pilot, hired by jolly Alan Hale to help help hunt down a polar bear, for sporting reasons. With many references to how close Russia is, and with the Cold War in full flow, it isn't a shock when the plot turns into a spy thriller Lola Albright, always underused by Hollywood, is a feisty frontier gal, who loves Morris The most alarming scenes involve the polar bear hunt, as the beast is ruthlessly shot down and skinned, it's remains discarded on the ice, as Hale claims his trophy. Harsh scenes for modern viewers. But the rest is mostly a fine, tense thriller, directed by veteran Lew Landers, with a sure hand
9 Reviews
The Skipper? A bear skin trader? And a Russian spy?
mark.waltz8 November 2018
Warning: Spoilers
The beloved Alan Hale Jr. had no reluctance to simply play himself in many movies and TV shows, and the always gregarious actor seemed to be having fun regardless of the situation. In this film, early on in his career, he plays a friendly hunter searching for polar bears and hires pilot Wayne Morris to take him out to the arctic wilds to hunt. But as it turns out, Hale has a secret agenda which Morris finds out just by accident, and he must keep it secret so he can stop Hale from succeeding in his nefarious goal. A seemingly accidental stabbing leads the plan to move along faster which puts Morris in more jeopardy, as well as local schoolteacher Lola Albright whom Morris is courting.
This is a pretty ambitious project for the lowly Monogram studios, then in the midst of reshuffling itself to become Allied Artist films and make more mainstream nearly "A" level films. The opening shot of the Arctic wild is in gorgeous black and white with mostly whites and a few sudden black figures of far away animals running in the snowy wilderness. The shot of a wolf being killed is disturbing, as it seems the animal is just left there to die, but as we learn, there have been animal attacks on humans, as evidenced by a polar bear attack on one of the natives who had seen several of his tribe being killed by them. A scene between Morris and Albright shows them arguing over her feelings towards the natives and certain prejudices she feels even if she is teaching their young. Later, a bit of Eskimo culture is explored through a local dance, giving this a bit of a documentary feel as well.
But the bulk of the film belongs to Morris and Hale who seem to be on their way to becoming good friends when the truth about Hale is revealed. How Hale suddenly changes his colors is written all over his face with the hatred of one culture to another becoming very apparent and the determination of Hale to kill if he has to. Earlier in the film, Hale gregariously witnesses a fight between Morris and his romantic rival (Dale Van Sickel) and even offers to intervene, but it gives him an idea of Morris's no nonsense fight technique which he is ready for when all is revealed. The ending is quite intense with Hale roaming out to the wild by himself and facing an uncertain future, and for a minute, I thought he might suddenly be attacked by a polar bear since he was earlier seen skinning one and leaving the rest of the body behind. But I was quite satisfied by how it ended, rather ironic in its way and a comment on how low of an ending those who betray a supposed friendship should find as their comeuppance.
This is a pretty ambitious project for the lowly Monogram studios, then in the midst of reshuffling itself to become Allied Artist films and make more mainstream nearly "A" level films. The opening shot of the Arctic wild is in gorgeous black and white with mostly whites and a few sudden black figures of far away animals running in the snowy wilderness. The shot of a wolf being killed is disturbing, as it seems the animal is just left there to die, but as we learn, there have been animal attacks on humans, as evidenced by a polar bear attack on one of the natives who had seen several of his tribe being killed by them. A scene between Morris and Albright shows them arguing over her feelings towards the natives and certain prejudices she feels even if she is teaching their young. Later, a bit of Eskimo culture is explored through a local dance, giving this a bit of a documentary feel as well.
But the bulk of the film belongs to Morris and Hale who seem to be on their way to becoming good friends when the truth about Hale is revealed. How Hale suddenly changes his colors is written all over his face with the hatred of one culture to another becoming very apparent and the determination of Hale to kill if he has to. Earlier in the film, Hale gregariously witnesses a fight between Morris and his romantic rival (Dale Van Sickel) and even offers to intervene, but it gives him an idea of Morris's no nonsense fight technique which he is ready for when all is revealed. The ending is quite intense with Hale roaming out to the wild by himself and facing an uncertain future, and for a minute, I thought he might suddenly be attacked by a polar bear since he was earlier seen skinning one and leaving the rest of the body behind. But I was quite satisfied by how it ended, rather ironic in its way and a comment on how low of an ending those who betray a supposed friendship should find as their comeuppance.
fine B-movie
SnoopyStyle6 July 2023
Mike Wien (Wayne Morris) is a bush pilot in Alaska. He's contracted to fly Martha Raymond (Lola Albright) out to Little Diomede Island. She's the new teacher for the small native community right next to the Russians on Big Diomede Island. Everybody is worried about the Russians. Wien's next client is wealthy John W. Wetherby (Alan Hale Jr.) on a polar bear hunt. It turns out that he's a Russian spy.
This movie faces the difficulty of faking the Arctic Circle. To be fair, it does do a lot of filming at the location, but that's why the studio work looks so fake. None of the interiors look lived in. The bar may as well be in a western. It is a B-movie after all. That can't be helped. I do wonder about recording dialogue outside in the snow. It may be something technical or budgetary that they have to add that stuff later. As for the story, it moves a little too slow for my taste. It's a romantic melodrama for the most part with Wetherby sticking his nose into the couple's lukewarm flirting. The movie does have a lot of native people doing background work and that's fine for its times. I would prefer to have Wetherby outed much earlier and this movie turning into a thriller, a mano a mano in the snow.
This movie faces the difficulty of faking the Arctic Circle. To be fair, it does do a lot of filming at the location, but that's why the studio work looks so fake. None of the interiors look lived in. The bar may as well be in a western. It is a B-movie after all. That can't be helped. I do wonder about recording dialogue outside in the snow. It may be something technical or budgetary that they have to add that stuff later. As for the story, it moves a little too slow for my taste. It's a romantic melodrama for the most part with Wetherby sticking his nose into the couple's lukewarm flirting. The movie does have a lot of native people doing background work and that's fine for its times. I would prefer to have Wetherby outed much earlier and this movie turning into a thriller, a mano a mano in the snow.
78 minutes with Lola!
theognis-808215 July 2023
"Nanook of the North" (1922) was a huge box office hit, that led to Eskimo pies (now sold as Klondike bars), so it's easy to see why Monogram Pictures hoped that this low budget film might do well. It's a mystery that wonderful Lola Albright is here rather than in a series of A list pictures, but this show offers a panoply of 1950s obsessions. Big Wayne Morris sweeps her up into his arms as she kicks her legs reflexively, ready to run if her feet hit the ground, and he ties her to a dogsled, advising her to "Relax and enjoy the trip:" the caveman prevails. A Russian spy is subdued by a one-armed, red-blooded, all-American hero, a myth that continues to resonate about a nation, we're reminded, that borders our own. Reds are poised on the frozen tundra, ready to shoot anything that moves. Sitting in a heated movie theatre, watching people cope with "60 below zero" is another pleasure.
Morris and Albright reunited in the Arctic
RogerTheMovieManiac8815 February 2017
Warning: Spoilers
This is a decent and invigorating offering from Monogram that stars Wayne Morris and Lola Albright, who had appeared together before in the rather wonderful 'Sierra Passage'. This picture sees the sturdy and likable Morris play a charter pilot in the freezing north of the Arctic and Albright take the role of the newly-arrived and very pretty school teacher. The early scenes between the two are the most sparkling as Morris teasingly tells Albright that she ''makes a liar out of the thermometer'' after bursting in on her in a state of undress.
After she reaches the school circuitously by plane and dog-sled (featuring interesting location work!), the Cold War era elements of Soviet infiltration and paranoia take centre stage and result in a more overtly propagandist tone that lessens somewhat the abiding effect of the film. However, it is well worth seeing for the teasingly pleasant and convivial interplay between Albright and Morris.
Some of the shots in 'Arctic Flight' of the snow-bound accommodation reminded me of aspects of 'The Thing from Another World!', which had appeared the year before. The opening aerial scenes to this film are actually very similar to the ones that so intriguingly open John Carpenter's 1982 remake of the science-fiction classic. I wonder whether Carpenter saw 'Arctic Flight' and liked the film's opening gambit. Lew Landers oversaw a film that is uneven but also memorable and enjoyable and very nicely played by two leads who had a charming chemistry. All in all, it proves to be quite a fun and interesting diversion! 6.5/10
After she reaches the school circuitously by plane and dog-sled (featuring interesting location work!), the Cold War era elements of Soviet infiltration and paranoia take centre stage and result in a more overtly propagandist tone that lessens somewhat the abiding effect of the film. However, it is well worth seeing for the teasingly pleasant and convivial interplay between Albright and Morris.
Some of the shots in 'Arctic Flight' of the snow-bound accommodation reminded me of aspects of 'The Thing from Another World!', which had appeared the year before. The opening aerial scenes to this film are actually very similar to the ones that so intriguingly open John Carpenter's 1982 remake of the science-fiction classic. I wonder whether Carpenter saw 'Arctic Flight' and liked the film's opening gambit. Lew Landers oversaw a film that is uneven but also memorable and enjoyable and very nicely played by two leads who had a charming chemistry. All in all, it proves to be quite a fun and interesting diversion! 6.5/10
Odd yet engaging
mollytinkers5 July 2023
I can just imagine teenage boys in 1952 rushing to the Saturday matinee to see this one. It has testosterone-fueled action, a romantic subplot, and political commentary to round it all out. While it doesn't make for climactic cinema, it does sufficiently make for a fun ride.
What really surprised me was the concept of racial tolerance. Alaska would not become an official state for at least seven years, yet this movie goes out of its way -- at least in one or two scenes -- to include Eskimos as worthy. When one takes into consideration the horrible injustice Hollywood has inflicted on minorities and the outcast, regardless of reason, it's surprisingly refreshing to see it addressed in this movie.
Nice mix of on-location shooting and in-studio scenes.
Won't watch again but am glad I did see it.
What really surprised me was the concept of racial tolerance. Alaska would not become an official state for at least seven years, yet this movie goes out of its way -- at least in one or two scenes -- to include Eskimos as worthy. When one takes into consideration the horrible injustice Hollywood has inflicted on minorities and the outcast, regardless of reason, it's surprisingly refreshing to see it addressed in this movie.
Nice mix of on-location shooting and in-studio scenes.
Won't watch again but am glad I did see it.
"Do you wander sometimes if that isn't the tomorrow for the whole world"
hwg1957-102-2657048 November 2020
Warning: Spoilers
This was much better than I thought it would be. Mike Wien is an Arctic pilot who tackles various jobs including taking teacher Martha Raymond to her new posting and taking businessman John W. Wetherby on a polar bear hunt. Mike's relationship with Martha and John develops. But one of them carries a dark secret. It is an interesting story with well written dialogue and lots of actual location filming above the Arctic circle conveying authentically the cold and snow bound conditions.
Wayne Morris is solid as Mike, Lola Albright is fascinating as Martha and Alan Hale Jr.'s natural bonhomie is cleverly utilised for his character John. Also excellent in support is Carol Thurston as Saranna. The film takes an affectionate view of the Inuit people. There is also a political sub-text but it's not laboured. Prolific director Lew Landers keeps it interesting all the way to the ironic ending. It's a little gem in Monogram Picture's output.
Wayne Morris is solid as Mike, Lola Albright is fascinating as Martha and Alan Hale Jr.'s natural bonhomie is cleverly utilised for his character John. Also excellent in support is Carol Thurston as Saranna. The film takes an affectionate view of the Inuit people. There is also a political sub-text but it's not laboured. Prolific director Lew Landers keeps it interesting all the way to the ironic ending. It's a little gem in Monogram Picture's output.
Skipper is a commie!! Say it isn't so!
planktonrules4 May 2024
Alan Hale Jr. Is known to most as 'Skipper' from "Gilligan's Island"...a nice, likable sort of character. But in "Arctic Flight", Hale plays a communist agent who is trying to get secrets to his evil overlords in the Soviet Union!! Normally, I don't mention important plot points like this, but since IMDB already divulges what sort of character Hale plays, then mentioning how against type this is for him is certainly in order.
Now the communist agent is not the only plot. In fact, this character doesn't come into the story until about the midway point. The first portion is devoted to an annoying woman (due to bad writing) and her really annoying meet cute with Mike Wien...the man who is a bush pilot who operates the only airline in the area. She is a school teacher who wants him to take her to an island...but he doesn't want to since it's on the US-Soviet border and he doesn't want to get shot down by mistake. Well, he relents and takes her...though she is annoying and cliched and should have been written better.
After completing this task, he's offered a huge amount of money to fly a millionaire on a polar bear hunt. But John Wetherby isn't interested in bears...but poses as a nice rich guy in order to make his nefarious plan hard to anticipate. Eventually, he's going to force Mike to take him to Russian airspace....like it or not!
This film is a definite sign of its times. The Cold War (no pun intended) was at its hottest and US-Soviet relations were at their lowest point. As a result, many Hollywood pictures were about communist spies and the like...and I can only assume the Soviet film industry was doing films about the wicked West.
So is this any good? Yes and no. Morris is very good...with a nice, casual sort of performance. The school teacher, as I mentioned, was not written well and eliminating this plot completely would have made for a better film. Well worth seeing despite its faults...plus, I did like the exciting finale.
Now the communist agent is not the only plot. In fact, this character doesn't come into the story until about the midway point. The first portion is devoted to an annoying woman (due to bad writing) and her really annoying meet cute with Mike Wien...the man who is a bush pilot who operates the only airline in the area. She is a school teacher who wants him to take her to an island...but he doesn't want to since it's on the US-Soviet border and he doesn't want to get shot down by mistake. Well, he relents and takes her...though she is annoying and cliched and should have been written better.
After completing this task, he's offered a huge amount of money to fly a millionaire on a polar bear hunt. But John Wetherby isn't interested in bears...but poses as a nice rich guy in order to make his nefarious plan hard to anticipate. Eventually, he's going to force Mike to take him to Russian airspace....like it or not!
This film is a definite sign of its times. The Cold War (no pun intended) was at its hottest and US-Soviet relations were at their lowest point. As a result, many Hollywood pictures were about communist spies and the like...and I can only assume the Soviet film industry was doing films about the wicked West.
So is this any good? Yes and no. Morris is very good...with a nice, casual sort of performance. The school teacher, as I mentioned, was not written well and eliminating this plot completely would have made for a better film. Well worth seeing despite its faults...plus, I did like the exciting finale.
The Cold War
boblipton6 July 2023
Wayne Morris is a bush pilot up around where the US and the USSR are separated by the couple of miles between Little Diomede Island (the US) and Big Diomede Island (The USSR); from December until June the sea freezes and you can walk between the two. Morris explains all this to Lola Albright, the new schoolteacher on Little Diomede, and they wrangle a bit about his dislike of the Russians and other stuff. But enough of this movie courtship! He has a job flying Alan Hale Jr. Hale wants to shoot a polar bear for a rug.
It's not a great movie, but producer Lindsley Parsons flew the cast and crew up to Little Diomede for some location work. Most of the outdoors stuff has been covered by other movies, but there's some interesting byplay between the old-timers and the natives in a relaxed way. Director Lew Landers directs his performers in a low key fashion that works well.
It's not a great movie, but producer Lindsley Parsons flew the cast and crew up to Little Diomede for some location work. Most of the outdoors stuff has been covered by other movies, but there's some interesting byplay between the old-timers and the natives in a relaxed way. Director Lew Landers directs his performers in a low key fashion that works well.
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