RACE TO THE POLE is a story about two men of vision. One, a charming, gregarious well-known physician, and the other, a sullen, cunning soldier. Dr. Frederick A Cook, and Lt. Robert E. Peary became well-acquainted on an Exploration of Northern Greenland. Dr. Peary's obsession to discover the North Pole and to cover himself with glory was quickly manifested. During this expedition, the aloof Robert Peary became intimidated by the warm and winsome ways of Frederick
Cook. Cook spoke the language of the Eskimos, enabling them to trust him. Dr. Cook became extremely interested in the Northern tribes. Enamored that the Eskimos had no Vitamin D deficiency and no scurvy, his scientific mind led him to collect data, and inspired him to write a scientific text regarding the Eskimo diet and hygiene. Lt. Peary forbad him to do so. He was irrational and unreasonable. He would allow nothing that might take the focus off himself, and bring any measure of glory to another. Dr. Cook was exasperated at his attempt to disallow him to write of these medical phenomena, and the men quickly parted ways. Peary was bitter and vengeful. Cook went about his business recording the medical information, totally turned off by Peary's unrelenting thrust for fame.

When Peary was seriously injured in a foiled exploration, Dr. Cook dropped everything and put a budding romance on hold, to go to his former partner with medical help. Peary lost several toes, and his life was saved by the compassionate and caring Cook. This Mercy Mission north, interrupted Cook's planned rendevouz with the beautiful Marie Hunt, a widow with a young daughter. He returned in time to resume his romance and to marry this beautiful and intelligent woman.

Meanwhile, Peary suffered more set-backs as he attempted to find the North Pole. Intrigued by the knowledge and exploration capabilities of the Northern tribes, Dr. Cook decided to find the North Pole himself with the help of two Eskimo friends, who agreed to accompany him on this extraordinary adventure. Cook set out for the Polar Dash, and was ahead of Peary by one year. Over 500 miles of ice was covered in a cheerless wasteland of wind and water driven ice. The explorers' shadows grew longer, as the sun turned around them continuously. Cooks calculations made their hearts thump wildly as they
approached The Big Nail. At the North Pole, the sun moves around the heavens at about the same apparent height above the horizon. A man's shadow is of equal length during the entire 24 hours. Cook measured it off, and the shadows at midnight and midday, were the same. Only at the earth's axis is such an observation possible. The Flag was mounted...the North Pole had been discovered!

Coming up from behind, Peary stole the thousands of dollars worth of ivory and blue fox furs left behind by Cook. He intimidated Cook's men and confiscated his supplies and notes. While Cook and his Eskimo friends were holed up in a cave for months during a long winter, when the sun disappeared completely, living like stone age men; Peary extorted as much evidence as he was capable of, to erase all evidence of Cook's accomplishment. He then went on to pursue a later exploration, claiming his own discovery of the North Pole.

Peary discredited Cook's name, and attempted to prove him a fraud. He levied unbearable attacks on Dr. Cook. But Cook was unwavering in his declaration of victory. He sought no medals, and was content with an inner joy and satisfaction of a personal triumph.

The biased National Geographic Society gave Peary the medal, and Cook was sentenced to prison for fraud. Few men have been the subject of such vicious attacks and relentless persecution, as was experienced by Dr. Cook. Dr. Cook was eventually pardoned by President Franklin Roosevelt, but died a short while later.

This was a most thrilling and poignant adventure, with inspirational performances by two magnificent actors...Rod Steiger and Richard Chamberlain. You must see this film, to decide for yourself...who really won the North Pole?

By Judy Crocker

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