<P> The first choice of director by Wayne was Henry Hathaway . He had a commitment to direct Woman Obsessed and was replaced by Richard Fleischer, who had a contract with 20th Century Fox and had just made the successful Compulsion (1959). Fleischer was enthusiastic about making a John Wayne film but did not like the story . He says a prime force behind the film was the agent Charles Feldman, who represented Adler, Wayne, Rackin and Mahin, and whose girlfriend Capucine was to play the female lead . Adler insisted Fleischer make the film as John Wayne had committed without reading a script and might pull out if the director pulled out . Fleischer says he got out of the film by saying he did not want to work with Capucine . Hathaway became available and his appointment was announced in March 1959 . Spyros Skouras wanted the budget of the film reduced; that Hathaway did by reducing location shots . </P> <P> The movie spent a long time in pre-production (during which it was also known as Go North) and was delayed by the writers strike and Wayne's involvement in making The Alamo (1960), a passion project of his that ended up costing the actor millions of his own money . Shooting on North to Alaska did not start until May 1960 . </P> <P> Gary Crosby was reportedly cast as Granger's brother until replaced by Fabian . </P> <P> Most of the film was shot in Point Mugu, California . The Wayne and Granger "honeymoon" cabin scenes were filmed along steaming Hot Creek near volcanic Mammoth Mountain . Mt . Morrison appears in the background of many views . </P>

Who starred in north to alaska with john wayne