weezeralfalfa
From one perspective, essentially a rip off of the prior Judy Garland-starring "The Harvey Girls", which was sited in Arizona, while this one was sited primarily in Skagway Alaska and Dawson City, Yukon Territory, although it was actually filmed at Paramount Studios. "The Harvey Girls" was based on a historical group known as the Harvey Girls, whereas the present film has no historical basis. In both films, we have a group of women, mostly marriageable straight-laced girls, who come into a frontier town, where most of the women are employed in a saloon. Pretty soon, they find themselves at odds with the co-proprietors of the saloon. In both films, the lesser proprietor takes drastic steps to encourage them to leave or tone down their antagonistic attitude. In both cases, part of this defense includes burning down part or all of the girl's work place. In both films, the leading lady has a love/hate relationship with the primary saloon proprietor, beginning mostly with hate and ending up mostly love, according to standard formula. In "The Harvey Girls", the girls run a sober restaurant, which is meant to compete with the saloon for customers. In the present film, the women eventually run the local newspaper that their father/husband died for, at the hands of the lesser saloon proprietor.Among other things, this film can be considered a musical, featuring 5 songs, we having 5 professional singers. Best remembered of these singers is Teresa Brewer, who participates in 3 of the songs. "Baby, Baby, Baby" is a solo, done on stage in Dawson. Early on, she sings and frolics around her bedroom in a fancy outfit to "Mr. Banjo Man". Later, Rhonda Fleming, and the older of The Bell Sisters singing group, join Teresa in singing and frolicking around. I will remember this scene long after I've forgotten the other scenes in this film. Teresa also took turns with Guy Mitchell in singing "I Guess it was You all the Time", on stage. Guy had a solo on stage with "Chick-a-Boom". On the boat from Seattle to Skagway, the Bell Sisters entertained the passengers singing and frolicking to "Take Back Your Gold". They sounded exactly like the Andrew Sisters, to me, in spite of having one less singer. Unfortunately, this was Teresa's only Hollywood film, and one of only two appearances for The Bell Sisters. Teresa was offered a film contract, but decided her singing career and growing family was more important. Latter, she would second guess this decision. She certainly had the all around talent and looks to be a big film star.Gene Barry played Johnny Kisco, chief saloon proprietor, while John Kellogg played Mike Yurkil, his partner and main badman of the film. Guy Mitchell played Joe, who worked for Johnny until the animosity between the Edmonds women and the saloon personnel escalated. He and Connie had formed a romantic attachment, so he decided to work for their newspaper. Agnes Moorehead played Mrs. Edmonds. Along with 3 of her 4 daughters, she had reddish or red-brown hair. Nell was a blond, as well as appearing to be younger than the others. She failed to warn the other girls of the arrival of their mother, thus one said "You can't trust a blond". Frank Wilcox played Vance Edmonds, who was only present for a short time before being executed by Yurkil. Walter Reed plays Whitey, who buys the Klondike Club from Johnny, after the latter got tired of being written up in the newspaper for doing bad things. He decided to take a boat for Fairbanks, where Yurkil was reported to have gone. He wanted to have Yurkil arrested for murder and arson. But, remember Yurkil was now in a US territory, whereas he committed these crimes in a Canadian territory. Strange that Yurkil's new partner in Fairbanks tells Johnny where Yurkil has wandered off to, after Johnny tells him why he wants to see Yurkil. Socks him on the chin to knock him out, so it looks like he made his partner tell him Yurkil's location.In summary, I see this as an interesting musical drama, with a few continuity and reality problems. It's especially valued as a unique chance to see Teresa Brewer sing, frolic, and act.
GeoSlv
The attractive thing about this movie is the presence of Teresa Brewer, in her only film. So if you're a fan this is a must see. Secondly, how often do you judge a musical as a great movie in itself? The plot is usually there to support the music and the stars. That's the way I look at it, so I'm not hard on it. I know there are fans of Rhonda Fleming too, and the other stars. They appear attractive in color and the music is fine, especially when Teresa is on stage as a showgirl singing Baby Baby Baby. That was a hit for her that year. The Bell Sisters sing one, and so does Guy Mitchell. Teresa also sings Mr Banjo Man and a duet with Guy of It Must Have Been You All The Time. This film has recently been prepared for a 3-D video release that has not occurred, and there have been a couple of limited theatrical preview showings recently. Never been on video. Can be seen online in some places or as a TV recording. As of 2017 there is a DVD and Bluray 3D release. Better get yours before they are out of stock.
conneide
When I saw this movie in first run, 1953, everyone in the theater laughed out loud. As the film progressed people started to make random comments aloud, increasing the laughter. In 1953 it was the worst movie I had ever seen and, even though a child, I had seen a lot of movies. It still is though The Sicilian ranks close. Rhonda Fleming was beyond awful. Teresa Brewer, a top of the charts pop singer of the day, not only couldn't act, she looked terrible. Many of the scenes were shot against backdrops to show the vast Artic region, and those shots were also terrible. Gene Barry was miscast. The plot was inane. The acting was painful to watch. The only reason I went to see this movie was because they were having a sneak preview that night and, WHAT LUCK!, the preview was "Singin' in the Rain."
