This is a surprisingly little known generational saga based on a novel by Edna Ferber (who also penned "Cimarron".) It spans about 45 years in the lives of a trio of entrepreneurs in Alaska. Burton plays an ex-WWI soldier who isn't given his old job back as the war ends. He makes his way to Alaska where he (after some plot complications) meets up with fisherman Ryan and Ryan's fiancée Jones. From here, the story follows their many trials and tribulations leading up to the statehood of Alaska. There is a TON of story to be told in this film and, though it is long, most vignettes only get touched on and many characters come and go and age so quickly it's sometimes head-spinning. Burton is a thoroughly unsympathetic lead character. All he does is brood and bellow. Ryan is less grating at first, but soon joins in. Jones, though solid, seems to be channelling Bette Davis half the time and her long-suffering role is one like Ms. Davis might have essayed back in her prime at Warner Brothers. Hyer, in a thankless role, pretty much models some nice suits before her big (and hilarious) scene involving a heart attack. Backus does okay as Burton's sidekick. One shocker is witnessing the well-spoken Takei portraying a demeaning, pigeon-English, Chinese servant complete with all the stereotypical traits and insulting "comic relief". It is odd to see Burton sharing screen time with "Mr. Howell" and "Mr. Sulu"! Knight barely appears at all. McBain comes along toward the end to provide a welcome dose of spark and sex appeal. The film is not exactly good, but it is watchable. Several scenes are marred by tacky effects like plastic snow and rear-projection (and in one howler of a scene, an attack by a man in a bear suit!) Also, Burton, who was twelve years YOUNGER than Backus, ages and ages while Backus just goes a little gray. He passes Backus up! Max Steiner provides some nice music. One scene, which seems daring for the time, involves two Eskimo women getting naked under some furs to thaw out a frozen traveller.
Review of Ice Palace
