ALASKA SEAS. Paramount Pictures, 1954. Robert Ryan, Jan Sterling, Brian Keith, Gene Barry. Screenwriters: Walter Doniger & Daniel Mainwaring (as Geoffrey Homes). Director: Jerry Hopper.

   Directed by Jerry Hopper, this mediocre remake of the box office hit Spawn of the North (1938) is about rustling. Just not cattle. Here, it’s salmon that’s been rustled by rival fishermen. Ryan stars as Matt Kelly, a rugged ruffian who, when released from jail for poaching, returns to his small fishing village in hopes of getting back into the salmon trade.

   Little does he know how much has changed since he left. Not only has the government changed the regulations regarding fishing, but his close friend Jim (Brian Keith) is now engaged to his love interest Nikki (Jan Sterling). Complicating matters further in this tiny outpost is the criminally minded Verne Williams (Gene Barry) who makes Kelly a tempting offer to get involved in the illicit salmon business.

   In terms of direction and narrative, it’s all very pedestrian from beginning to end. There are some good moments, but overall there is not a lot of energy here Even though with a cast as good as this one, there really should be. One last thing. If you’ve ever wanted to see Robert Ryan interact with a trained seal in a bathtub, then Alaska Seas might just be the motion picture you’re looking for.

   Verdict: great cast, including Timothy Carey in a supporting role, but a somewhat flat story that you’ve seen in westerns sundry times before done with much greater effect.