Directed by:
Irving PichelScreenplay:
Lamar TrottiCast:
Paul Muni, Gene Tierney, Laird Cregar, John Sutton, Virginia Field, Vincent Price, Nigel Bruce, Robert Greig, Chief Thundercloud, Frederick Worlock (more)Plots(1)
This sweeping drama chronicles the foundation a Canadian institution: the Hudson's Bay Trading Company. Set in the 17th century when the fur trade was at its peak the story centers on Radisson, a far-sighted entrepreneurial fur trapper, and his sidekick who dream of establishing a major trading post on the title bay. Opportunity arises when they encounter an exiled British aristocrat and begin teaching him frontier ways. He in turn has them travel to England with him. There the determined Radisson, must first convince King Charles that the proposed post would be a lucrative venture. The king eventually agrees to fund the first post and Radisson, his partner and the aristocrat return to the Canadian frontier. The company gets off to a good start until the aristocrat's brother-in-law gets drunk and kills a native thereby nearly starting a war that Radisson averts by having the drunken killer killed. The nobleman is outraged and as soon as the three return to England to give a report to the King, he has the two trappers placed in prison. Fortunately, Radisson is able to appeal to the King's greed by telling him that the heretofore successful trading post will collapse without the two of them and they return to Canada to found a business empire that is still going strong today. (official distributor synopsis)
(more)Cast
Paul Muni
Austria-Hungary
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Gene Tierney
USA
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Laird Cregar
USA
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John Sutton
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Virginia Field
UK
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Vincent Price
USA
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Nigel Bruce
Mexico
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Robert Greig
Australia
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Chief Thundercloud
USA
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Frederick Worlock
UK
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Florence Bates
USA
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Montagu Love
UK
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Ian Wolfe
USA
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John Rogers
UK
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Jay Silverheels
Canada
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Jody Gilbert
USA
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Eric Wilton
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Morton Lowry
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Lumsden Hare
Ireland
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