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King of the Royal Mounted (serial)
Encyclopedia
King of the Royal Mounted (1940) is a Republic Pictures
northern
serial
based on the King of the Royal Mounted
Comic strip
directed by William Witney
and John English
.
Set and filmed during World War II
, the story is about the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
against Nazi spies after a new Canadian discovery, "Compound X".
A feature version, called The Yukon Patrol was released in 1942.
, the Nazis require a special mineral, Compound X, discovered in Canada. Although intended to cure paralysis, the Nazis have discovered that it can be used in magnetic mines to destroy the British fleet
and blockade America to prevent it assisting the Allies. The Mounties discover this plot and work to defeat and capture the Nazi spies sent to obtain the ore. Sgt King's father is killed in the line of duty, saving his son from death on a circular saw, and leaving him to carry on the fight against the enemy.
The plot was described as "pure and simple propaganda" by William Witney
.
was $137,874 (a $1,188, or 0.9%, overspend). It was the cheapest Republic serial of 1940 which was the first year in which Republic's overall spending on serial production was less than in the previous year..
It was filmed between 18 June and 12 July 1940. The serial's production number was 998.
Republic found success with this naming scheme following this adaptation and subsequently liked calling their heroes "King" in order to use the title "King of..." It even led the studio to name Roy Rogers
"King of the Cowboys.".
Director William Witney
records that production of the serial was not pleasant. Although the interview for the leading man went well, neither Witney nor his partner John English
subsequently had a high opinion of Allan Lane
as a person or as an actor. The serial is only afforded three pages in the autobiography of his serial-years, in a chapter entitled "Two Duds and a Hot Water Tank".
Filming took place on location, following a good weather forecast from a Doctor Krich at Caltech
, at Big Bear Lake
. The area had a log cabin settlement and a disguised dam (logs covering concrete) built by Paramount Pictures
for The Trail of the Lonesome Pine
(1936
). The area also had the pine trees necessary for the Canadian setting.
A 68-minute feature film version, created by editing the serial footage together, was released on 30 April 1940 under the title The Yukon Patrol. It was one of fourteen feature films Republic made from their serials.
Source:
Republic Pictures
Republic Pictures was an independent film production-distribution corporation with studio facilities, operating from 1934 through 1959, and was best known for specializing in westerns, movie serials and B films emphasizing mystery and action....
northern
Northern (genre)
The Northern or Northwestern is an American and Canadian genre in literature and film made popular by the writings of Rex Beach and Zane Grey. It is similar to the Western genre but the action occurs in the Canadian North and typically features Mounties instead of, for example, cowboys or sheriffs...
serial
Serial (film)
Serials, more specifically known as Movie serials, Film serials or Chapter plays, were short subjects originally shown in theaters in conjunction with a feature film. They were related to pulp magazine serialized fiction...
based on the King of the Royal Mounted
King of the Royal Mounted
King of the Royal Mounted is a fictional series featuring the character Dave King, created by Stephen Slesinger in 1936. Slesinger licensed popular Western writer Zane Grey's byline and marketed the character as Zane Grey's King of the Royal Mounted....
Comic strip
Comic strip
A comic strip is a sequence of drawings arranged in interrelated panels to display brief humor or form a narrative, often serialized, with text in balloons and captions....
directed by William Witney
William Witney
William Nuelsen Witney was an American film and television director. He is best remembered for the movie serials he co-directed with John English for Republic Pictures such as Daredevils of the Red Circle, Zorro's Fighting Legion and Drums of Fu Manchu.He directed many Westerns during his career,...
and John English
John English (director)
John English was an American film editor and film director...
.
Set and filmed during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the story is about the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police , literally ‘Royal Gendarmerie of Canada’; colloquially known as The Mounties, and internally as ‘The Force’) is the national police force of Canada, and one of the most recognized of its kind in the world. It is unique in the world as a national, federal,...
against Nazi spies after a new Canadian discovery, "Compound X".
A feature version, called The Yukon Patrol was released in 1942.
Plot
In World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the Nazis require a special mineral, Compound X, discovered in Canada. Although intended to cure paralysis, the Nazis have discovered that it can be used in magnetic mines to destroy the British fleet
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
and blockade America to prevent it assisting the Allies. The Mounties discover this plot and work to defeat and capture the Nazi spies sent to obtain the ore. Sgt King's father is killed in the line of duty, saving his son from death on a circular saw, and leaving him to carry on the fight against the enemy.
The plot was described as "pure and simple propaganda" by William Witney
William Witney
William Nuelsen Witney was an American film and television director. He is best remembered for the movie serials he co-directed with John English for Republic Pictures such as Daredevils of the Red Circle, Zorro's Fighting Legion and Drums of Fu Manchu.He directed many Westerns during his career,...
.
Cast
- Allan LaneAllan LaneAllan "Rocky" Lane was a studio leading man and the star of many cowboy B-movies in the 1940s and 1950s. He appeared in more than 125 films and TV shows in a career lasting from 1929 to 1966...
as Sergeant Dave KingKing of the Royal MountedKing of the Royal Mounted is a fictional series featuring the character Dave King, created by Stephen Slesinger in 1936. Slesinger licensed popular Western writer Zane Grey's byline and marketed the character as Zane Grey's King of the Royal Mounted.... - Robert Strange as John Kettler. Strange's performance is described by Cline as "a flawless characterisation."
- Robert KellardRobert KellardRobert Kellard was an American actor who appeared in over 60 films between 1937 and 1951.-Career:Kellard entered in Hollywood in 1937 in the film Annapolis Salute, directed by Christy Cabanne...
as Corporal Tom Merritt Jr - Lita Conway as Linda Merritt
- Herbert RawlinsonHerbert RawlinsonHerbert Rawlinson was an English stage, film, radio, and television actor. A leading man during Hollywood's silent film era, Rawlinson transitioned to character roles after the advent of sound films. Rawlinson died of lung cancer in 1953...
as Inspector King - Harry CordingHarry CordingHarry Cording was a British character actor who appeared in many Hollywood films from the 1920s to the 1950s. Due to his stocky build and imposing 6'0 height, he usually portrayed thugs and henchman to the main villain....
as Wade Garson - Bryant WashburnBryant WashburnBorn Franklin Bryant Washburn , Bryant Washburn was an American film actor. He appeared in 330 films between 1911 and 1947....
as Matt Crandall - Budd Buster as Vinegar Smith
Production
King of the Royal Mounted was budgeted at $136,686 although the final negative costNegative cost
Negative cost is the cost of actually producing and shooting a film. It does not include such costs as distribution and promotion.Low-budget movies, for example The Blair Witch Project, can have promotional expenses that are much larger than the negative cost.The term comes from the costs up to the...
was $137,874 (a $1,188, or 0.9%, overspend). It was the cheapest Republic serial of 1940 which was the first year in which Republic's overall spending on serial production was less than in the previous year..
It was filmed between 18 June and 12 July 1940. The serial's production number was 998.
Republic found success with this naming scheme following this adaptation and subsequently liked calling their heroes "King" in order to use the title "King of..." It even led the studio to name Roy Rogers
Roy Rogers
Roy Rogers, born Leonard Franklin Slye , was an American singer and cowboy actor, one of the most heavily marketed and merchandised stars of his era, as well as being the namesake of the Roy Rogers Restaurants franchised chain...
"King of the Cowboys.".
Director William Witney
William Witney
William Nuelsen Witney was an American film and television director. He is best remembered for the movie serials he co-directed with John English for Republic Pictures such as Daredevils of the Red Circle, Zorro's Fighting Legion and Drums of Fu Manchu.He directed many Westerns during his career,...
records that production of the serial was not pleasant. Although the interview for the leading man went well, neither Witney nor his partner John English
John English (director)
John English was an American film editor and film director...
subsequently had a high opinion of Allan Lane
Allan Lane
Allan "Rocky" Lane was a studio leading man and the star of many cowboy B-movies in the 1940s and 1950s. He appeared in more than 125 films and TV shows in a career lasting from 1929 to 1966...
as a person or as an actor. The serial is only afforded three pages in the autobiography of his serial-years, in a chapter entitled "Two Duds and a Hot Water Tank".
Filming took place on location, following a good weather forecast from a Doctor Krich at Caltech
California Institute of Technology
The California Institute of Technology is a private research university located in Pasadena, California, United States. Caltech has six academic divisions with strong emphases on science and engineering...
, at Big Bear Lake
Big Bear Lake
Big Bear Lake is a reservoir in the San Bernardino Mountains, in San Bernardino County, California, United States. At a surface elevation of , it has an east-west length of approximately 7 miles and is approximately 2.5 miles at its widest measurement, though the lake's width mostly averages a...
. The area had a log cabin settlement and a disguised dam (logs covering concrete) built by Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures Corporation is an American film production and distribution company, located at 5555 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood. Founded in 1912 and currently owned by media conglomerate Viacom, it is America's oldest existing film studio; it is also the last major film studio still...
for The Trail of the Lonesome Pine
The Trail of the Lonesome Pine (1936 film)
The Trail of the Lonesome Pine is a 1936 romance film based on the novel of the same name. It was directed by Henry Hathaway. It was the second full length feature film to be shot in three-strip Technicolor and the first in color to be shot outdoors, with the approval of the Technicolor Corporation...
(1936
1936 in film
The year 1936 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*May 29 - Fritz Lang's first Hollywood film Fury, starring Spencer Tracy and Bruce Cabot, is released.*November 6 - first Porky Pig animated cartoon...
). The area also had the pine trees necessary for the Canadian setting.
Theatrical
King of the Royal Mounteds official release date is 20 September 1940, although this is actually the date the sixth chapter was made available to film exchanges.A 68-minute feature film version, created by editing the serial footage together, was released on 30 April 1940 under the title The Yukon Patrol. It was one of fourteen feature films Republic made from their serials.
Chapter titles
- Manhunt (26 min 48s)
- Winged Death (17 min 6s)
- Boomerang (16 min 45s)
- Devil Doctor (16 min 45s)
- Sabotage (16 min 51s)
- False Ransom (16 min 42s)
- Death Tunes In (16 min 43s)
- Satan's Cauldron (16 min 40s)
- Espionage (16 min 43s)
- Blazing Guns (16 min 41s)
- Master Spy (16 min 50s)
- Code of the Mounted (16 min 40s)
Source: