Only one reel survives – and that without sound – from Dwan’s first feature-length all-talkie, but it is more than enough to demonstrate that Dwan had already risen to meet the challenges and opportunities of the new technology. Dwan establishes the location of the story (the Gold Rush town of Nome, Alaska) with an extended dolly shot that moves down the main drag, the camera pausing in front of various saloons, storefronts and alleyways just long enough capture a sense of the activity inside – a spectacular effect no doubt enhanced by swatches of dialogue and music on the now missing soundtrack.

Dave Kehr