Featuring Clark Gable and Loretta Young, this loose adaptation of Jack London's classic story is one of the livelier versions of the oft-filmed tale and was shot on location on rugged, snowy Mt. Baker, Washington where cast and crew had to endure harsh winter conditions including blizzards, sub-zero temperatures and difficulty in obtaining supplies during filming. In this version, the role of Buck the dog is diminished and the main focus shifts to the romance between prospector Jack Thornton, and Claire, a young bride who is abandoned in a cabin by her gold-fevered husband. The story begins in Skagway, Alaska where impoverished prospector Thornton loses his mine in a poker game. He then buys Buck, a big dog deemed too vicious for sled pulling. Thorton feels a bond with this dog and with love and patience, earns his trust and retrains him. Buck's cruel former owner Reginald Owen is enraged by this because he wants Buck back so he can kill the dog for mangling his hand. To get him back, he bets Thornton that Buck cannot pull a half ton for one hundred yards. The devoted dog does it and the newly enriched Thorton, his pal Shorty, and Buck set out to find a claim. They run across the half-dead abandoned woman, continue on to an empty cabin belonging to her husband, and then take over his mine, finding lots of gold. Later Shorty heads back for badly needed supplies while Thornton, Buck and the girl remain behind. Romance blossoms at the cabin. Meanwhile, crooks overtake the woman's creepy husband and force him to reveal his mine. He does and they try to kill him. Then they attack the couple and steal the gold. After more excitement, the crooks leave and find final justice during their escape. Later Buck appears and helps to save the fallen husband by leading Thornton to him. After he recovers, his bride decides to return to him and Thornton and Buck are left to await the return of Shorty.