RENFREW OF THE ROYAL MOUNTED (1937) James Newill, Carol Hughes, William Royle | Drama, Western | B&W

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.

SYNOPSIS
Counterfeit bills are being printed in Canada and shipped across the border hidden in blocks of ice. When the counterfeiters force engraver Bronson to make a new plate, he inscribes a tiny help message on it. Renfrew catches a henchman who has one of the new bills. A magnifying glass lets him read the message and he heads out alone to round up the counterfeiters.

CAST & CREW
James Newill as Sergeant Renfrew
Carol Hughes as Virginia Bronson
William Royle as George Poulis
Herbert Corthell as Mr. Bronson
Kenneth Harlan as "Angel" Carroll
Dickie Jones as Tommy Mac Donald
Chief Thundercloud as Pierre
William Austin as Constable Holly
Donald Reed as Sergeant MacDonald
Lightning as Renfrew's dog Lightning

Directed by Albert Herman
Screenplay by Charles Logue
Story by Laurie York Erskine
Produced by Albert Herman
Cinematography Francis Corby
Edited by Holbrook N. Todd
Music by Arthur Kay
Production company Criterion Pictures Corp.
Distributed by Grand National Pictures
Release date September 29, 1937
Running time 57 minutes
Country United States
Language English

NOTES
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.