Royal Canadian Mounted Police (film)

Northwest Mounted Police is a 1940 American Technicolor film., directed by Cecil B. DeMille, with Gary Cooper in the title role, accompanied by Paulette Goddard, Madeleine Carroll, Robert Preston, Akim Tamiroff, Preston Foster, Lon Chaney Jr. among others. It was director DeMille's first Technicolor film to be produced by Paramount Pictures. It was filmed including locations in the Canadian Rockies.

Synopsis

The action is set in Canada at the end of the 19th century. The Métis, an ethnic group from that country, organize a revolt against the British Crown and request the support of the Indian tribes commanded by the chief "Big Bear". The insurgents want to be led by Riel, the leader of a previous revolution, who is currently teaching at a Montana school. The film tells the story of a fearless member of the Texas Rangers (Gary Cooper) who teams up with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to hunt down a fugitive who is helping the rebels.

Production

The film was shot at Paramount Studios and on location in Oregon and California.

The lead actor was to be Joel McCrea, but he and Cooper switched roles so McCrea was able to take on the title role in Foreign Correspondent (1940). DeMille narrated parts of the story, which he did on all of his Technicolor films.

Reception

It was Paramount's highest-grossing film of 1940 and earned a good review from Variety magazine.

Awards and nominations