Port Henry’s ‘Arctic City’ — Encore for sled dog handler

This is the latest in a series of posts about early 20th century film production in Port Henry, N.Y.

Sled dog handler Thomas H. Swinton did not leave town when the cast and crew of “The Law of the Yukon” finished production at Port Henry in early 1920.

He stuck around to work on the next production to be filmed at “Arctic City,” as the silent film set became known: Goldwyn Pictures’ “The North Wind’s Malice,” starring Tom Santschi, Jane Thomas, and Joe King.

“In his two months stay at Port Henry, Tom Swinton has made many friends who will be glad to know that he will not leave town when the (Charlie) Miller Company goes next week,” the Essex County Republican reported.

“The North Wind’s Malice” was based on a short story of the same name by Rex Beach, who visited Port Henry for a few days to “supervise in a general way” the filming.

Reviewer Carl Sandburg, who rated the overall production “average,” had high praise for the dog handling and the realistic setting.

“The title had lure and a hint of poetry. The mountains, sled dogs, valleys and running waters of Alaska are up to all expectations,” he wrote.

Yet he found the plot and acting bland.

“But producers and actors come short of anything more than ordinary portrayals of characters and action.”

Moriah business owners were impressed with the economic impact of film production.

“With the village flooded with movie people, the Lee House is filled to capacity and many of the players are obliged to find rooms with private families.”

Sources: Essex County Republican, March 5, 1920; Ticonderoga Sentinel, Feb. 19, 1920; IMBd.com; “Carl Sandburg at the Movies: A Poet in the Silent Film Era,” 1920–1927.

Click here to read the most recent previous post in the series.