Trail of the Yukon (1949) User Reviews (3)

A Mountie and his Dog

[Henchman_Number1 · 5/10 · 22 December 2019]

After a bank robbery to avenge a previous land swindle, father and son duo Jim and Matt Blaine (Bill Edwards, Guy Beach) find themselves on the run from their fellow gang members Muskeg Joe (Anthony Warde) and his henchmen after an attempted double-cross. Soon both groups paths intersect with Mountie Bob McDonald (Kirby Grant) who has been tracking them since the robbery. Wounded after a gun battle in which the elder Blaine is killed, McDonald is assisted by saloon owner Tom Laroux and his daughter (Dan Seymour, Suzanne Dalbert) as well as the repentant younger Blaine. He soon comes to believe there be more behind the heist than meets the eye.

This is the first in the Monogram Pictures Kirby Grant Mountie series with super dog Chinook. (This dog can seemingly do anything short of filling out a long form tax return) Filmed in 1949 the quality of the Monogram movies had improved considerably since adding the Allied Artists unit in 1946. The content, style and quality is similar to the RKO pictures of the same time period. As a matter of fact there is a striking resemblance to RKO's Tim Holt series down to the superfluous dance hall musical numbers. Which is all to say a well produced B+ programmer.

Even though Trail of the Yukon is pretty much standard fare in the Mountie genre, the overall quality, Big Bear Valley exterior locations and the affable Kirby Grant make this a good watch.

Westerns take on a whole new identity when they are way up north.

[mark.waltz · 5/10 · 1 June 2019]

The charming and rugged Kirby Grant had his introduction as mountie Bob (later Rod) McDonald in this "Northern" that pairs him with the loyal Chinook (the actual breed name) for the first time in his film debut. McDonald's is out to expose bank robbers which he discovers was an inside job that also involved claim-jumping. He's aided by the handsome Bill Edwards close involvement in the robbery is questioned, but Edwards rescue of Grant after he is shot in the leg questions his motivations for being involved. Pretty saloon girl Suzanne Dalbert, a no-nonsense but sweet French girl with a nursing background, becomes involved as a result of her father's debts being impacted by the robbery and both men's feelings for her. A mountie he has to do what amount he has to do, and it's obvious that Edwards isn't quite on the right side of the law, but a friendship grows between the two men that will help expose the real bad guys.

Fast moving and filled with action, this is a good introduction to the character introduced by James Oliver Curwood that led to a series of low-budget programmers made by Monogram. I'm sure these looks really good on the big screen with their realistic outdoor sets, snowy atmosphere and canoe riden lakes. Chinook Will steal Your Heart immediately as he loyally looks over the wounded Grant and growls at the presence of anybody, Friend or foe, who approaches him until he sniffs them out. Some familiar character actors appear in bit roles such as Dick Elliott and Al Bridge. It's a standard story done over and over in B westerns, but is presented in a very entertaining way that will not have you bored.

The great white north ................

[revdrcac · 4/10 · 17 November 2006]

This 1949 western features Kirby "Sky King" Grant and his faithful canine servant "Chinook". Grant is a heroic member of the Mounties on the trail of bank Robbers who ripped off a crooked Banker/Claim Jumper.Kirby and his faithful sidekick rush to the rescue and save the day !

This film was a standard programmer, with good action but few surprises. It reminded me a little of the Sgt Preston of the Yukon series. Kirby Grant was very convincing in his role. Look fast for Jay "Tonto" Silverheels in a small role here.

Fans of Call of the Wild or similar works will enjoy this adventure film. It is a good way to pass an hour of leisure time. Enjoy !