Customer Reviews

King of the Royal Mounted

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

VCI has done a phenomenal job in restoring this l940 classic Republic serial and bringing it to today's movie buffs. The razor-sharp images and the stunning camerawork are rendered anew to be savored by all movie buffs--not just those addicts--like myself--of those old-time Saturday afternoon chapter plays. William Witney and John English move this non-stop actioner at jet-set speed. Beautiful location photography and amazing action sequences will even have those not usually fans of Bijou fare cheering for more. This is a definite must for the library of all movie serial fans--and even those who want to see how a l940 movie really looked before being sliced, diced and butchered for television. Artisan is bringing out these much demanded favorites from the past. Let us all praise Artisan for their efforts and hope that more of those classic thrillers will soon be on their way--especially Republic's fabulous "G-Men Vs. the Black Dragon," "Spy Smasher" and "Daredevils of the Red Circle."

It always puzzles and even amazes me when reviewers comment concerning the great Republic serials. Yes, the photography, sound and special effects were all superior to any other studio. But,what about the fabulous music that all of the staff composers and arrangers were able to create during the period of the thirties and forties?? Some of the most stirring, energetic and even beautiful music ever written for the screen was turned out by Mort Glickman, William Lava, Cy Feuer,Karl Hajos and Alberto Colombo. My personal two favorites were Mort Glickman and William Lava. When I listen to the soundtrack of "King of the Royal Mounted," I get so swept away by the music, I almost am distracted from the screen action and drama...almost! This is truly one of Republic's best serials ever. It contains all the best elements of the top serials at Republic, and VCI's restoration is uncanny. Don't miss it.

Actually this is to second the review by Don Carroll of Atlanta who points out the role background music plays in Republic serials and westerns. I am hearing "Painted Stallion" this very moment. After seeing the two King serials, I had a mad desire to know where they were filmed. One version said Lake Arrowhead( California) and another said Bear Lake, California. Help is appreciated. Having received the highest musical aptitude score ever in my home county, I withstood the slings and arrows of peers and adults defending what I knew was the high creative quality and originality. This time I am including my email and invite all Republic music lovers to do likewise. Maybe there are more CDs possible to go with those already produced by James King, may he be blessed. I am rljones@suddenlink.net.

VCI Entertainment and Republic Pictures present Zane Grey's "King of the Royal Mounted" (1940) (digitally remastered), 12 Chapters of vintage serial loaded with action sequences...is there a discovered substance called "Compound X", which may cure infantile paralysis...has Tom Merritt stumbled on such a rare find...is there a war between Canada and sources known later as the "Father Land"...why has Sgt King taken over the command of the Mountie Post...are foreign agents running free within the Canadian borders...who will be kidnapped with everything at stake to win or lose against these enemy agents...can Sgt King and the Mounties wrap this up without loss to one of their own...don't miss any of the 12 exciting chapters.

Under director's John English and William Witney, producer Hiram S. Brown Jr. with screenplay by Franklin Adreon, Sol Shor, Barney A. Sarecky, Norman S. Hall, Joseph F. Poland ...the cast include Allan "Rocky" Lane (Sergeant Dave King), Robert Strange (John Kettler), Robert Kellard (Corporal Tom Merritt, Jr.), Lita Conway (Linda Merritt), Herbert Rawlinson (Inspector King), Harry Cording (Wade Garson), Bud Geary (Klondike), Bryant Washburn (Matt Crandall), Budd Buster (Vinegar Smith)......there is a great deal of entertainment here for the cliffhanger fans out there...all courtesy of VCI Entertainment.

CHAPTER TITLES:
1. Man Hunt
2. Winged Death
3. Boomerang
4. Devil Doctor
5. Sabotage
6. False Ransom
7. Death Tunes In
8. Satan's Cauldron
9. Espionage
10.Blazing Guns
11.Master Spy
12.Code of the Mounted

SPECIAL FEATURES:
1. Photo Gallery (by chapters illustrated, stills of the serial & lobby cards)
BIOS:
2. Allan "Rocky" Lane
3. William Witney (director)
4. John English (director)

VCI CLIFFHANGER COLLECTION
"Zorro Rides Again" (John Carroll & Noah Beery Sr)
"S.O.S. Coast Guard" (Ralph Byrd & Bela Lugosi)
"Adventures of Red Ryder" (Don "Red" Barry)

Own them now on DVD....if you crave action, drama and plenty of adventure then this is the place for all of the above...if you enjoyed this serial check out another release from VCI Entertainment as they present Alex Raymond's "Jungle Jim " (1936) (digitally remastered), 12 Chapters of vintage serial loaded with action sequences - really outstanding scenes between a lion and tiger in a to the death fight...high production from Universal's serial department...each episode chuck full of scenes loaded with cliffhanger adventure...gotta love it!

While you're at it check out Bobby J. Copeland's book on "Silent Hoofbeats", a salute to the horses and riders of the bygone B-Western era...finally a book listing each and every steed that carried our heroes over the dusty trails and plains...Copeland has composed each section in his book to perfection...names of our western stars with the most comprehensive information of movie and TV horses...Allan "Rocky" Lane's mounts Thunder and Blackjack (Rocky's horses) appear several times...published by Empire Publishing and available on Amazon.

Great job by VCI Entertainment for releasing the Dolby digital transfere with a clean, clear and crisp print...looking forward to more of the same from the vintage '40s serials...order your copy now from Amazon or VCI Entertainment, stay tuned once again with a top notch serial from VCI...just the way we like 'em!

Total Time: 211 mins on DVD ~ VCI Entertainment 8312 ~ (12/16/2003)

I have bought this DVD.I remember the old days when my dad brought me to the cinema and saw this "great" movie.It still impressed me till today!
I just bought nearly all the Allan Rocky Lane western DVD's.It is really great movies and the action is very absorbing!

nice clear sharp transfer from good film source i have been collecting serials for 35 years vhs and dvd this in my opinion is one of the best serials made it has good contrast brightness i would have rated 5 stars but my copy lost audio for 5 seconds at end of red ryder trailer has any one else had this happen every else just fine hats off to vci entertainment pleasure to watch

This serial on DVD, is not only as sharp as a Kinzu knife, but the contrast is perfect!
The plot line is good, but let's face it-we're after the Republic fight scenes and this one is chock full of them!
This serial was produced during the period of the top Republic stunt men, who choreographed all their fights.
Allan Lane stars, who later became Red Ryder: after Bill Elliott hung up his shootin' irons!
One defect on my copy, was the BIO feature that wouldn't play.
By clicking the MENU twice, I received results! Go figure.
If you like the genre, you'll want this one!