Released in September 1940,this was the first of two serials starring Allan "Rocky" Lane as Sgt. Dave King of the Royal Mounted. A foreign nation has found that " compound X " being mined in Canada and used as a cure for polio can also be used to make magnetic mines to destroy Allied ships. Soon enemy agents are sent to Canada to supply that country with enough compound X for their war effort. This serial benefits from a strong cast headed by Allan Lane and Robert Kellard as Mounties out to stop the agents. Robert Strange as Kettler and Harry Cording as Wade Garson play the enemy agents. An equally strong supporting cast along with a literate screenplay,keeps the plot believable.Directors William Witney and John English never permit the action to drag . Top drawer stunting headed by David Sharpe, a memorable score by Cy Feuer, sfx by the Lydeckers and great location photography by William Nobles all add up to 12 chapters of stirring action !On tape and an excellent DVD produced by VCI. Highly recommended !
2 Reviews
Mounties vs Nazis in the Great North Woods
teebillp8 September 2023
Warning: Spoilers
"King of the Mounted" is definitely a high water mark for Republic serials. Released in 1940 the film deals with the attempts by the agents of an unnamed power (which is obviously Germany) to steal Compound X, a chemical formula recently discovered in the Canadian wilderness, which can be used to make super weapons.
Because of the time in which this serial is set (the backwoods of Canada in the early 1940's) it is able to make use of mid-20th century technology (such as planes, trains, radios and a submarines) and action usually found in westerns (like chases on horseback, gun battles with six shooters and a forest fire).
The acting in the film (especially that of Allan Lane and Harry Cording) is solid. The miniature work is excellent. The stunt work is stunning in a few chapters. The final chapter has two unexpected plot twists. The photography on the print I viewed was sharp, clear and undamaged. The pace of this chapter play never seemed to drag .
"King of the Royal Mounted" in terms of overall quality is on a par with Republic's "Spy Smasher" which makes this serial something of a must see.
Because of the time in which this serial is set (the backwoods of Canada in the early 1940's) it is able to make use of mid-20th century technology (such as planes, trains, radios and a submarines) and action usually found in westerns (like chases on horseback, gun battles with six shooters and a forest fire).
The acting in the film (especially that of Allan Lane and Harry Cording) is solid. The miniature work is excellent. The stunt work is stunning in a few chapters. The final chapter has two unexpected plot twists. The photography on the print I viewed was sharp, clear and undamaged. The pace of this chapter play never seemed to drag .
"King of the Royal Mounted" in terms of overall quality is on a par with Republic's "Spy Smasher" which makes this serial something of a must see.
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