Phantom Patrol (1936)

A deranged killer escapes into the Canadian woods. He tries to fool the locals by pretending he is a well known mystery writer, but the local Mountie starts to get suspicious.

Director:

Charles Hutchison

Writers:

James Oliver Curwood (story), Joseph O'Donnell (screenplay)

Stars:

Kermit Maynard, Joan Barclay, Harry Worth

Cast

Cast overview:
Kermit Maynard	...	RCMP Sergeant Jim McGregor
Joan Barclay	...	Doris McCloud
Harry Worth	...	Dapper Dan Geary & Stephen Morris
Paul Fix	...	Henchman Jo-Jo Regan
George Cleveland	...	Inspector McCloud
Julian Rivero	...	Frenchie Le Farge
Eddie Phillips	...	Henchman Emile
Roger Williams	...	Henchman Gustaf
Dick Curtis	...	Henchman Josef (as Richard Curtis)
Rocky the Horse	...	Jim's Horse (as 'Rocky')

Storyline

Noticing the resemblance between himself and noted author Steven Norris, wanted gangster Dan Geary kidnaps Norris and assumes his identity. His charade is successful for a while but when his new stenographer reads some of his latest writing to Mountie McGregor, McGregor become suspicious.

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Plot Keywords:

gangster | forest | american | canada | writer | 

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Crime | Mystery | Romance | Western

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

30 September 1936 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Big Bear Lake, Big Bear Valley, San Bernardino National Forest, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Conn Pictures Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

The setting is supposed to be Manitoba, which is generally flat, but the scenery is more like the Rockies with snow-covered mountains in the background.

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Soundtracks

"On Your Guard"
Written by Didheart Conn
Performed by Kermit Maynard

User Reviews

"A Little Dirty From Dodging Bullets..."

Very silly Canadian Mountie movie, with a lead character that grins far too much, and villains from a Saturday morning cartoon, which is fine if you are entertained by such things. It gives Rocky and Bullwinkle a run for their money! The entire plot requires a ridiculous sequence of coincidences (making it even more cartoon-like) - for example, the crook (Dapper Dan) looking and sounding the same as well-known writer Stephen Norris (yes it is NORRIS, not Morris as listed in the credited cast) and the other criminals just happening to select that particular cabin to hide out at. This of course is made even more silly by the same actor playing both parts.

Of course there is a trapper named Frenchie, but guess where he was born?

Worth a watch, as it is thankfully short, and silly enough to entertain through a few scenes.

Note: If the criminals had been thinking at all (which of course is moot, as criminals are never allowed to actually think in these types of movies), they would have shaved off Norris's mustache and beard to make him look a little less like who he was and help Dan's plot a bit more, but...oh well. *Sigh*

Silliest scene:

Doris McCloud: "You alright Jim?"

Sgt. Jim McGregor: "Oh yeah, I'm fine. A little dirty from dodging bullets."

Doris McCloud: "Just think what you'd look like if you hadn't dodged..."

5/10, for silliness, as well as how long Jim (the Mountie) is able to keep the same expression on his face throughout.