Renfrew of the Royal Mounted

Last updated

Renfrew of the Royal Mounted was a popular series of boy's adventure books written by Laurie York Erskine that were later filmed and became a series on both radio and television.

Contents

Canon

'Inspector Douglas Renfrew' was a former Royal Flying Corps officer who joined the Royal North-West Mounted Police, later the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The fictional literary character was created in 1921 by Laurie York Erskine. While Canadian Mountie fiction existed prior to 1921, it was Erskine's creation that led to imitation and, for a few short years in the latter half of the 1930s, a rise in popularity with the form of adventure fiction. The short stories that appeared in magazines were recycled for use in a series of ten novels, a long-running radio program and a series of eight motion pictures. The cry known as the Renfrew call—which children all over America imitated heard daily on the radio program—echoed through city streets and alleys. Actor Ed Asner once recalled on the Merv Griffin television program how Renfrew of the Mounted was his favorite radio program. [1]

With limited funding and the enthusiasm that young idealists possess, Laurie York Erskine, along with three good friends, founded the Solebury School for Boys in October 1925. The private boys school was financially established as a result of Erskine's sale of a magazine serial for $20,000, titled The Confidence Man. This inspired Erskine to write a number of adventure novels, in the hopes of making another sale to Hollywood, including The River Trail (1923), The Laughing Rider (1924), Valor of the Range (1925), The Coming of Cosgrove (1926), and Power of the Hills (1928). When it became clear that Hollywood sought no interest in Erskine's novels, the author agreed to provide the publishing house additional Renfrew novels. Historically, the only novels that sold well for D. Appleton & Company were those with Inspector Douglas Renfrew and a letter from the company assured him continued publication of Renfrew novels. [1]

Erskine also wrote over 100 Renfrew short stories for The American Boy magazine, most of them recycled for use in the Renfrew novels listed above. Erskine wrote a total of ten Renfrew novels. The hero of The Laughing Rider was a Texas Ranger, William O'Brien Argent. The hero of The River Trail was a Canadian Mountie named William Goeffrain. Magazine articles and reference guides incorrectly claim these two novels among the Renfrew canon. The ten Renfrew novels listed above were written and published partly out of necessity. Erskine donated the profits from his handiwork to the funding of the private boys' school. Erskine doubled as teacher by day and author by night. [1]

Six months after publication, Renfrew Rides the Sky (published September 1928) was included in the official library of the Imperial War Museum at South Kensington, England. Renfrew Rides North (published September 1931) was dedicated to seven of his students at Solebury School. Renfrew's Long Trail (published August 1933) was dedicated to the memory of Inspector Alfred Herbert Joy of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, whose gallant personality and indomitable spirit was presented in the figure of Inspector Jocelyn in the novel. [1]

Radio

Laurie York Erskine made his radio debut as a narrator of fictional adventures for the weekly Macy's Boys Club over WOR in New Jersey, from 1930 to 1931. Four years later in 1935, Erskine was convinced by Douglas Storer, a literary agent, to adapt Renfrew of the Mounted for radio. Storer was the agent for Robert L. Ripley, Cab Calloway and Dale Carnegie and it was Storer who succeeded in convincing an ad agency, Batten, Burton, Durstine and Osborne to sell the program to the Continental Baking Company (selling loaves of bread). From March 3, 1936, to March 5, 1937, over CBS, Renfrew of the Mounted was broadcast five times a week in 15-minute installments. The radio scripts were written by Erskine, who continued to donate the income ($125 a week) to the funding of Solebury School. House Jameson played the title role of Inspector Douglas Renfrew. This series spawned a number of premiums including a red pin, a postcard, two campfire handbooks and a map so listeners could follow along with the adventures. The program was never renewed after 52 weeks because the sponsor, after an extensive study, revealed that almost 90 percent of the bread purchased was not from children but adult females. Continental was against the use of premiums in fear it cheapened their product image and the advertising agency insisted on giveaways because such gimmicks were used extensively to convince sponsors of the popularity of the programs. [1]

Renfrew of the Mounted returned to the air on the evening of January 7, 1939, on NBC-Blue, as a weekly half-hour program. House Jameson reprised his role of Inspector Douglas Renfrew. Unlike the prior incarnation over CBS, the weekly rendition was self-contained stories not told in serial format. This rendition lasted 89 broadcasts, concluding on the evening of October 12, 1940. [1]

The third and final radio incarnation was on Passport to Adventure, broadcast over NBC-Blue, five days a week in 15-minute installments. Unlike the first two renditions, Erskine now served as narrator and told brief stories of adventure ranging from American historical events to cowboys and Indians, much like a storyteller by the campfire. On average, once every two weeks Erskine would recount a story involving Inspector Douglas Renfrew of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. This program aired from August 18, 1941, to March 27, 1942. The program would have continued beyond March 1942 if it was not for Laurie York Erskine being drafted. [1]

In the film Broadway Limited , ZaSu Pitts' character insists on listening to Renfrew on the radio in the train's lounge car.

Having flown combat aerial during World War I, Erskine served his country again from 1942 to 1944, stationed in Hawaii to train young cadets in combat flying. When Erskine returned to the States following the war, he discovered that radio stations and networks had no further interest in Renfrew of the Mounted. If anything, there was only room for one Canadian Mountie program and George W. Trendle's Sergeant Preston of the Yukon program was by then widely syndicated. Erskine succeeded in auditioning Renfrew for radio multiple times but no sponsor agreed to foot the bill. [1]

Films

Prior to television, Hollywood was populated with poverty row pictures, slang used to refer to a variety of independent (and short-lived) movie studios. With the CBS radio serial heard daily, Grand National Studios, Inc., also known as Grand National Pictures, sought interest in a series of Renfrew of the Mounted movies. Hired to play the role was James Newill, who had recently been a weekly singer on the George Burns and Gracie Allen radio program. The first of what would become eight motion-pictures, was released theatrically in September 1937. Following completion of the first film, Grand National Pictures filed bankruptcy. Under reorganizing proceedings, the entire business entity was assigned to the Criterion Pictures Corporation, under ownership of Phil Goldstone. Under Criterion, a new contract was agreed and signed by Douglas Storer and Laurie York Erskine for a total of four movies, which would have totaled five when the contract was completed. The studio heads forgot about the four-movie limit and produced five. After an exchange of letters between Douglas Storer and Goldstone at Criterion, it was agreed that the company could continue to produce additional movies under the same financial arrangement. Following completion of the eight movies, Criterion sold their business entity to Monogram Studios, who later re-released some of the movies for additional box office revenue. [1]

Television

Under a contract dated October 11, 1951, Max Alexander of M&A Productions edited the eight movies into 13 half-hour television pictures with James Newill hosted new openings and closings to bridge the scenes. [1]

A television pilot starring Arthur Franz as Douglas Renfrew was televised on June 15, 1956 as part of the Schlitz Playhouse of Stars weekly anthology, but never picked up.

In January 1980, an agreement was made with Wrather Entertainment for the possibility of producing a made-for-TV movie to serve as a pilot for a weekly series. Two teleplays were drafted, one written by Burt Armus. Neither were produced. [1]

Parody

Harvey Kurtzman satirized this series as "Miltie of the Mounties" in the fifth issue of Mad . [2]

Canadian comedian Dave Broadfoot featured a "Sergeant Renfrew" character on the Royal Canadian Air Farce radio series. Broadfoot's version of Renfrew delivered monologues about his adventures hunting down criminals — like all good Mounties he always got his man, but did so in an outlandishly slapstick manner which relied as much on the criminal's incompetence and stupidity as on Renfrew's police skills. Often, it was his dog "Cuddles" who was responsible for saving the day. Frequently, Sgt. Renfrew was knocked out cold at some point in the chase, giving rise to the character's signature catchphrase, "When I regained consciousness..."

Broadfoot also performed the character on stage several times at actual RCMP conventions and events. His popularity was such with the RCMP that his character was promoted to sergeant, then sergeant major. The honorary promotion to Sergeant, complete with all insignia, was given to Broadfoot personally by Commissioner Simmins of the RCMP. [3]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal Canadian Mounted Police</span> Canadian federal police service

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police, commonly known in English as the Mounties, is the federal and national police service of Canada. As police services are the constitutional responsibility of provinces and territories of Canada, the RCMP's primary responsibility is the enforcement of federal criminal law, and sworn members of the RCMP have jurisdiction as a peace officer in all provinces and territories of Canada. However, the service also provides police services under contract to eight of Canada's provinces, all three of Canada's territories, more than 150 municipalities, and 600 Indigenous communities. In addition to enforcing federal legislation and delivering local police services under contract, the RCMP is responsible for border integrity; overseeing Canadian peacekeeping missions involving police; managing the Canadian Firearms Program, which licenses and registers firearms and their owners; and the Canadian Police College, which provides police training to Canadian and international police services. Despite its name, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police are no longer an actual mounted police service, and horses are only used at ceremonial events.

Dave Broadfoot was a Canadian comedian and satirist. He is best known for his performances as a member of the Royal Canadian Air Farce.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red Serge</span> Uniform of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police

The Red Serge refers to the jacket of the dress uniform of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. It consists of a scarlet British-style military pattern tunic, complete with a high-neck collar and blue breeches with yellow stripe identifying a cavalry history.

Challenge of the Yukon is an American radio adventure series that began on Detroit's WXYZ and is an example of a Northern genre story. The series was first heard on January 3, 1939. The title changed from Challenge of the Yukon to Sergeant Preston of the Yukon in September 1950, and that title was retained through the end of the series and into a television adaptation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Newfoundland Ranger Force</span> 20th-century Canadian police force

The Newfoundland Ranger Force was the police force of the Dominion of Newfoundland. It provided law enforcement and other government services to outports for 15 years. It existed from 1935 to 1949, at which point it was merged into the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). 204 men served as Rangers during its existence, though at any given time the force did not exceed 72 members.

<i>Canadian Mounties vs. Atomic Invaders</i> 1953 film by Franklin Adreon

Canadian Mounties vs Atomic Invaders (1953) is a Republic Movie serial starring Bill Henry and both produced and directed by Franklin Adreon. It was the sixty-second serial produced by Republic. Despite the title, this is not a science fiction serial. The plot is a northern cold war adventure involving secret missile bases and a planned invasion of the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northern (genre)</span> Multimedia genre set primarily in Northern Canada and Alaska

The Northern or Northwestern is a genre in various arts that tell stories set primarily in the late 19th or early 20th century in the north of North America, primarily in western Canada but also in Alaska. It is similar to the Western genre, but many elements are different, as appropriate to its setting. It is common for the central character to be a Mountie instead of a cowboy or sheriff. Other common characters include fur trappers and traders, lumberjacks, prospectors, First Nations people, settlers, and townsfolk.

<i>North West Mounted Police</i> (film) 1940 film by Cecil B. DeMille, Arthur Rosson

North West Mounted Police is a 1940 American epic north-western film produced and directed by Cecil B. DeMille and starring Gary Cooper and Madeleine Carroll. Written by Alan Le May, Jesse Lasky Jr., and C. Gardner Sullivan, and based on the 1938 novel The Royal Canadian Mounted Police by R. C. Fetherstonhaugh, the film is about a Texas Ranger who joins forces with the North-West Mounted Police to put down a rebellion in the north-west prairies of Canada. The supporting cast features Paulette Goddard, Preston Foster, Robert Preston, Akim Tamiroff, Lon Chaney Jr. and George Bancroft. Regis Toomey, Richard Denning, Rod Cameron, and Robert Ryan make brief appearances in the film playing small roles.

<i>Perils of the Royal Mounted</i> 1942 American film

Perils of the Royal Mounted is a 1942 American Northern film. It was the 18th serial released by Columbia Pictures. It starred Robert Kellard as the hero, Sgt. Mack MacLane of the Royal Mounties, and Kenneth MacDonald as Mort Ramsome, the head villain. It also co-starred Nell O'Day, Iron Eyes Cody, Kermit Maynard and I. Stanford Jolley.

Laurie York Erskine was a popular boys adventure author, educator, and co-founder of the Solebury School in New Hope, Pennsylvania, United States.

<i>Saskatchewan</i> (film) 1954 film by Raoul Walsh

Saskatchewan is a 1954 American Northern adventure film directed by Raoul Walsh and starring Alan Ladd, Shelley Winters and J. Carrol Naish. It was produced and distributed by Universal Pictures. The title refers to Fort Saskatchewan in present-day Alberta, Canada. Shooting took place in Banff National Park not far from the headwaters of the Saskatchewan River.

<i>Renfrew of the Royal Mounted</i> (1937 film) 1937 film by Albert Herman

Renfrew of the Royal Mounted is a 1937 American film produced and directed by Albert Herman and starring James Newill, Carol Hughes, and William Royle. Released by Grand National Pictures, it is the first of eight films based on Renfrew of the Royal Mounted, a popular series of boy's adventure books written by Laurie York Erskine. The film was shot on location at Big Bear Lake, California.

<i>On the Great White Trail</i> 1938 film

On the Great White Trail also known as Renfrew on the Great White Trail is a 1938 American Northern starring James Newill as Sgt. Renfrew of the Royal Mounted in the second of the film series. It was produced and directed by Albert Herman.

<i>Sky Bandits</i> (1940 film) 1940 film

Sky Bandits, also known as Renfrew of the Royal Mounted in Sky Bandits, is a 1940 American action film directed by Ralph Staub and released by Monogram Pictures, starring James Newill, Louise Stanley, Dewey Robinson and William Pawley. The film is a remake of the film Ghost Patrol (1936) with a musical/action formula, similar to the format of the "singing cowboy" films of the era.

<i>Yukon Flight</i> 1940 film by Ralph Staub

Yukon Flight is a 1940 American Western film directed by Ralph Staub and starring James Newill, Louise Stanley, Dave O'Brien and William Pawley. Released by Monogram Pictures, the film uses a musical/action formula, similar to the format of the "singing cowboy" films of the era.

<i>Murder on the Yukon</i> 1940 film by Louis J. Gasnier

Murder on the Yukon is a 1940 American adventure film directed by Louis J. Gasnier and written by Milton Raison. It is based on the 1931 novel Renfrew Rides North by Laurie York Erskine. The film stars James Newill, Polly Ann Young, Dave O'Brien, Al St. John, William Royle and Chief Thundercloud. The film was released on February 25, 1940, by Monogram Pictures.

<i>Danger Ahead</i> (1940 film) 1940 film by Ralph Staub

Danger Ahead is a 1940 American adventure film directed by Ralph Staub and written by Edward Halperin. It is based on the 1933 novel Renfrew's Long Trail by Laurie York Erskine. The film stars James Newill, Dorothea Kent, Guy Usher, Maude Allen, John Dilson and Al Shaw. The film was released on January 22, 1940, by Monogram Pictures.

<i>Fighting Mad</i> (1939 film) 1939 American film

Fighting Mad is a 1939 American adventure film directed by Sam Newfield and written by George Rosener and John Rathmell. It is based on the 1927 novel Renfrew Rides Again by Laurie York Erskine. The third of the Renfrew of the Royal Mounted film series stars James Newill, Sally Blane, Benny Rubin, Dave O'Brien, Milburn Stone and Walter Long. The film was released on November 5, 1939, by Monogram Pictures when Grand National Pictures ceased operation.

<i>Crashing Thru</i> (1939 film) 1939 film

Crashing Thru is a 1939 American northern action film directed by Elmer Clifton and starring James Newill, Jean Carmen and Warren Hull. It is based on the 1935 novel Renfrew Rides the Range, the seventh in the popular Renfrew of the Royal Mounted series by Laurie York Erskine. The film was shot at the Iverson Ranch and on location around Big Bear Lake in the San Bernardino Mountains of California. It was originally intended to be released by Grand National Pictures before being picked up for distribution by Monogram.

Blair of the Mounties is a syndicated 15-minute radio series about the adventures of Sergeant James Blair of the North-West Mounted Police. A total of 39 episodes of this Northern genre series were produced. The show was heard on radio stations for more than twenty years. An Oakland, California radio station broadcast it in July 1934 and a 1957 issue of Broadcasting magazine listed Blair of the Mounties as still being available for release to radio stations.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Grams, Martin. Renfrew of the Mounted: A History of Laurie York Erskine's Canadian Mountie Franchise, OTR Publishing, 2020. ISBN 979-8699041442.
  2. ↑ Kurtzman, Harvey. Mad 5, June–July 1953.
  3. ↑ Dave Broadfoot's Canada
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.