The fourth version of Rex Beach's popular, Alaska-set western novel, filmed five times in all, this time with its plot slightly altered to accommodate Marlene Dietrich as the saloon keeper, reprising the role she played with much greater success in 1939's Destry Rides Again. What always distinguishes movie versions of this tale is the exciting, protracted fist-fight between the leading men that marks the story's climax. Last time out, in 1930, it was between Gary Cooper and William Boyd, and in the original 1914 silent version the star was William Farnum, who in the Cooper/Boyd remake acted as a technical adviser. Here Farnum plays a supporting part, and the macho cuffing is between stars John Wayne and Randolph Scott. Watch out for a cameo appearance from silent heart-throb Richard Barthelmess, in his penultimate screen role, as the barman.

When honest ship captain Roy Glennister gets swindled out of his mine claim, he turns to saloon singer Cherry Malotte for assistance in his battle with no-good town kingpin Alexander McNamara.