NORTHWEST MOUNTED POLICE

US, 1940, 125 minutes, Colour.
Gary Cooper, Paulette Goddard, Madeleine Carroll, Preston Foster, Robert Preston, George Bancroft, Lynne Overman, Akim Tamiroff, Walter Hampden, Lon Chaney Jnr., Montagu Love, George E. Stone.
Directed by Cecil B. de Mille.

Northwest Mounted Police is a highly enjoyable spectacular Canadian western from Cecil B. de Mille. It was his first colour production. It was made in 1940 (original intentions to film in Canada) but having to alter production values because of the outbreak of World War Two. De Mille is said to have seen his film as a contribution to the war effort - a bond between the United States and the British Commonwealth.

Gary Cooper (who had played The Plainsman and who was to act in The Story of Dr. Wassell and Unconquered for de Mille) is the laconic, good-humoured Texan. British Madeleine Carroll is the demure heroine. Robert Preston has the colourful role of the Mounted Policeman who is lured from his post by Paulette Goddard's Loupette and who is considered a coward. There is a good supporting cast including George Bancroft as the villain Corbeau, Lynne Overman as an eccentric Scotsman and Akim Tamiroff as one of the rebels. The dignified actor Walter Hampden appears as the Indian Chief Big Bear. Included in the cast are Chief Thundercloud and Rod Cameron.

The colour photography is quite spectacular and beautiful. There are strong battle sequences. There is a score by Victor Young and a song, 'Does the Moon Shine Through the Tall Pine?' by Frank Loesser and Victor Young.

Vintage de Mille.

1. An enjoyable action adventure? The Royal Mounted Police and their role in Canada? The history of Canada? Law and justice?

2. Colour locations, atmosphere? The forests of Canada? The battle sequences? The musical score, song? style?

3. Cecil B. de Mille's big-budget? The focus on the Northwest Mounted Police? Their role in the administration of justice? Keeping the peace? Confrontations with the Indians? With the French-speaking rebels?

4. Gary Cooper as Dusty Rivers: the laconic Texan, his arrival in Canada, the bounty hunter and his pursuit of Corbeau? His being welcomed by the Army? His relationship with the Mounted Police? His independence? The contrast between the American and Canadian styles? Justice and the military? The attraction towards April?, Concern about Ronnie Logan? The entanglements with Loupette? The friendship with Jim Brett, the rivalry? Friendship with Todd McDuff? The search for Corbeau? Participation in the battles? The problem with Ronnie Logan and his desertion? His search for Logan? Covering for him? The rivalry with Brett, the administration' of justice, the seeking of Corbeau? The return to Texas with his prisoner? Just decision? A happy ending? Gary Cooper as the American screen hero?

5. Madeleine Carroll and her demure style as April Logan: her place in Canada, in the town, her love for her brother? The relationship, with Jim Brett? Engagement? The attraction towards Dusty? The difficulties, the battles, her helping with the nursing? The comforting of the sick and dying? The clash with Loupette? Her bewilderment about Ronnie? Her concern, Dusty's saving his reputation? Her commitment to Brett? The final choice? Her return to Canada with Brett?

6. Ronnie Logan, the Mounties, their spirit, friendships, in the town? The attraction towards Loupette? Friendship with Rivers? His becoming entangled, the battle, his sentry duty, Loupette wanting to save him, his being responsible for the deaths of so many of the fellow Mounties? His being imprisoned? Rivers coming to set him free? The dishonour for the Mounties? The condemnation? The proof that he was imprisoned by his wrists? The story of his heroism as told by Rivers? The official honour? The heroism of his death?

7. Loupette, her place in the town, part-Indian, part-white? With the Indians? Her father's reputation? Her wiles? Love for Ronnie? Helping him? Seducing him? Imprisoning him? The mischief that she caused? The deaths of so many of the Mounties?

8. Jim Brett as the upright Mountie Officer, searching out Corbeau? The battles and the strategies? The confrontation with Rivers? his love for April? Her final choice?

9. The comic touches with Mac Duff and Durok? Their rivalry? On opposite sides? Skill at shooting? Durok's death? The pathos of the final confrontation?

10. The Indians and their chiefs, the place of the tribes, the encroachment of the whites? Treaties with the whites? The capture of prisoner? The bargains and deals?

11. The presentation of the Mounted Police, their discipline and drill, policing of the Northwest? Relationship with the Indians? With the rebels? Battles? The treaties with the Indians?

12. Corbeau and his cover in Montana, teaching, the rebels and his return to Canada? The price on his head? Relationship with his daughter? His stirring up the rebels? The antagonism with the Mounties? The relationship with the Indians? The guns and the tests of strength? Rivers and his outwitting Corbeau? The battles and the rebels' defeat? Corbeau as Rivers' prison?

13. The popularity of the material? The American heroism? The tribute to the Mounted Police? The de Mille, enjoyable treatment?