Role: Lieutenant Avery
Film Presence: Small
Role Type: Naive and squeamish
Film Information and Summary: IMDb, TCM, Wikipedia
Release Date: February 20, 1940
Douglas Walton's role as Lieutenant Avery
Takes place in Canada during the French and Indian War (1754–1763) where the British and French colonies were at odds with each other. Major Rogers (played by Spencer Tracy) led his British-backed team of over 200 Rangers and benevolent Native Americans into French territory in order to destroy the Abenakis tribe, who were strong allies to the French and hostile enemies to British settlers. It was a long perilous journey full of dangerous terrain, constant fear of French and Indian ambushes, and inevitable starvation and death.
Somewhere halfway through the movie, the Rangers had to cross through a hazardous rushing river by forming a human chain while the Native Americans rescued those who drift away from the formation. This is where we see Lieutenant Avery (Douglas Walton) for the first time. Avery called out to Major Rogers that one of the Rangers is sick and that he's going to help him through the river. Rogers told him to leave him and that the Ranger is now on his own. Avery did as he was told. Lifting his muskets and supplies over his head, Avery mustered all his strength and courage as he cross the pounding rapids. Notice how his face flinched as he was about to enter the stream. ALL the actors had to cross that big scary river without any stunt doubles. So yes, Douglas Walton's expression was very much real in that scene.
Shortly afterward, the Rangers planned their preemptive attack on St. Francis, the French-allied Abenakis stronghold--and made sure not to kill their own Native American allies in the battle. Also they planned to pillage the town because they were low on food supplies. Thus, an all out war between the Rangers and the Abenakis broke out. Somewhere halfway through the raid, Avery charged and fought some of the enemies. As the scene progressed, Avery noticed that Lieutenant Crofton (played by Addison Richards) was butchering an Abenaki in the most brutal way. Avery stopped Crofton and shouted at him, "Haven't you had enough?!" The deranged Crofton laughed in unsettling glee as he continued with the slaughter. Avery looked down with disgust as he placed his hand over his mouth. At the end of the battle, Avery dragged a blond woman in Native American attire towards Major Rogers. Being raised by the Abenakis, she called Rogers and the Rangers "White Devils." Avery reported to Rogers that there's almost nothing to take in the village as the French took all the supplies, much to everyone's disappointment.
As the film continued after, Rogers laid out strategic plans to his troops. Avery can be seen among the men. Somewhere along the line Rogers promised about hunting for food and having his Rangers being fed. Everyone cheered. Rogers even made a twisted joke that if the French were to come to St. Francis, they would eat nothing but roasted Indians. All the men laughed. Avery, on the other hand, chuckled nervously but quickly became squeamish at the joke, almost as if he lost his appetite.
As the troops tread on, they grew tired, hungry, and weak along the way. When the Rangers stopped by near a river, Rogers wanted to push on so that the French would not gain up on them, but everyone else was on the brink of exhaustion. Much to Rogers' discontent, most of the men agreed to camp out and hunt for food. Avery became extremely weak.
The Rangers and the Native Americans caught small fish, animal game, and other edible things and started cooking at a small fire in celebratory relief. Everyone was about to eat, except for Avery. Being so weak and malnourished, Avery became delusional. In a daze, he said he wasn't hungry and that he's going home to Concord. With a puzzled look on his face, Rogers asked Avery, "Where did he think Concord is?" Staring out to the distance with a glimmer of hope in his pale blue eyes, he believed that he is now in his hometown and sprinted towards the wooded wilderness in elation. 'Hunk' Marriner (played by Walter Brennan) tried to stop Avery, but Rogers said it was no use. He couldn't catch him and didn't want to shoot him either. Marriner asked where he would think Avery would end up. Rogers responded, "Right in the middle of those hills. Maybe next summer somebody will find a leather hair ribbon and be Christian enough to bury whatever they find with him."
Watch all of Douglas Walton's visible scenes in this movie below...in COLOR!!!:
This is an interesting film of its time on its portrayal of Native Americans. I'll admit, this movie can be very hard to watch for modern viewers. I know for sure I had to brave it through. I understand that the film aimed for historical accuracy and that wars should be depicted realistically, but it was essentially a cringe-fest with the ongoing disparaging comments towards Native Americans in general, regardless if they were enemies or allies of the Rangers. But the film also balances the view of Native Americans as many of them sided with the Rangers. We see them aid Rogers and the Rangers throughout their trek. They fought alongside them, rescued them at the hazardous rivers, and helped feed them when the Rangers were really hungry. Most of the Rangers recognized that they must respect their Native American allies as well. And to add, the sporadic presence of an Abenaki child also soften the portrayal of Native Americans in this film. So yes, there are some ups and downs in this movie. But overall, it is something worth to watch.
Another film where Douglas Walton appeared in that involve Native Americans is the slap-stick comedy "Hurry, Charlie, Hurry" (1941) in which these characters are the center of the plot. Although extremely stereotypical like any other movie of its time, it is a film that supposed to warm up to the audience with its Native American characters.
This is the second time Douglas Walton shared the screen with Walter Brennan. They appeared together previously in "The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle" (1939).
Other movies where you get to see Douglas Walton in color include "Calamity Jane and Sam Bass" (1949) and "Bring on the Girls" (1945). You have no idea how excited I was seeing Douglas Walton in color for the first time!
I wonder how Douglas Walton felt knowing that he was playing in a film where the story took place in Canada, considering that's his country of birth and where his maternal family lived.
Release Date: February 20, 1940
Douglas Walton's role as Lieutenant Avery
 |
| Douglas Walton in "Northwest Passage" (1940)...in COLOR!!! |
Takes place in Canada during the French and Indian War (1754–1763) where the British and French colonies were at odds with each other. Major Rogers (played by Spencer Tracy) led his British-backed team of over 200 Rangers and benevolent Native Americans into French territory in order to destroy the Abenakis tribe, who were strong allies to the French and hostile enemies to British settlers. It was a long perilous journey full of dangerous terrain, constant fear of French and Indian ambushes, and inevitable starvation and death.
Somewhere halfway through the movie, the Rangers had to cross through a hazardous rushing river by forming a human chain while the Native Americans rescued those who drift away from the formation. This is where we see Lieutenant Avery (Douglas Walton) for the first time. Avery called out to Major Rogers that one of the Rangers is sick and that he's going to help him through the river. Rogers told him to leave him and that the Ranger is now on his own. Avery did as he was told. Lifting his muskets and supplies over his head, Avery mustered all his strength and courage as he cross the pounding rapids. Notice how his face flinched as he was about to enter the stream. ALL the actors had to cross that big scary river without any stunt doubles. So yes, Douglas Walton's expression was very much real in that scene.
 |
| Douglas Walton in "Northwest Passage" (1940) |
 |
| Douglas Walton fighting against the rushing waters of a hazardous river in "Northwest Passage" (1940). It was actually dangerous in real life and Walton's facial expression was most likely real as well. |
Shortly afterward, the Rangers planned their preemptive attack on St. Francis, the French-allied Abenakis stronghold--and made sure not to kill their own Native American allies in the battle. Also they planned to pillage the town because they were low on food supplies. Thus, an all out war between the Rangers and the Abenakis broke out. Somewhere halfway through the raid, Avery charged and fought some of the enemies. As the scene progressed, Avery noticed that Lieutenant Crofton (played by Addison Richards) was butchering an Abenaki in the most brutal way. Avery stopped Crofton and shouted at him, "Haven't you had enough?!" The deranged Crofton laughed in unsettling glee as he continued with the slaughter. Avery looked down with disgust as he placed his hand over his mouth. At the end of the battle, Avery dragged a blond woman in Native American attire towards Major Rogers. Being raised by the Abenakis, she called Rogers and the Rangers "White Devils." Avery reported to Rogers that there's almost nothing to take in the village as the French took all the supplies, much to everyone's disappointment.
 |
| A repulsed Douglas Walton and a deranged Addison Richards in "Northwest Passage" (1940) |
As the film continued after, Rogers laid out strategic plans to his troops. Avery can be seen among the men. Somewhere along the line Rogers promised about hunting for food and having his Rangers being fed. Everyone cheered. Rogers even made a twisted joke that if the French were to come to St. Francis, they would eat nothing but roasted Indians. All the men laughed. Avery, on the other hand, chuckled nervously but quickly became squeamish at the joke, almost as if he lost his appetite.
 |
| Spencer Tracy set out plans to the Rangers, including Douglas Walton in "Northwest Passage" (1940). |
As the troops tread on, they grew tired, hungry, and weak along the way. When the Rangers stopped by near a river, Rogers wanted to push on so that the French would not gain up on them, but everyone else was on the brink of exhaustion. Much to Rogers' discontent, most of the men agreed to camp out and hunt for food. Avery became extremely weak.
 |
| Douglas Walton in "Northwest Passage" (1940) |
 |
| A tired Douglas Walton in "Northwest Passage" (1940) |
The Rangers and the Native Americans caught small fish, animal game, and other edible things and started cooking at a small fire in celebratory relief. Everyone was about to eat, except for Avery. Being so weak and malnourished, Avery became delusional. In a daze, he said he wasn't hungry and that he's going home to Concord. With a puzzled look on his face, Rogers asked Avery, "Where did he think Concord is?" Staring out to the distance with a glimmer of hope in his pale blue eyes, he believed that he is now in his hometown and sprinted towards the wooded wilderness in elation. 'Hunk' Marriner (played by Walter Brennan) tried to stop Avery, but Rogers said it was no use. He couldn't catch him and didn't want to shoot him either. Marriner asked where he would think Avery would end up. Rogers responded, "Right in the middle of those hills. Maybe next summer somebody will find a leather hair ribbon and be Christian enough to bury whatever they find with him."
 |
| Douglas Walton stares off to the distance in "Northwest Passage" (1940). |
 |
| Douglas Walton hallucinates in "Northwest Passage" (1940). |
Watch all of Douglas Walton's visible scenes in this movie below...in COLOR!!!:
This is an interesting film of its time on its portrayal of Native Americans. I'll admit, this movie can be very hard to watch for modern viewers. I know for sure I had to brave it through. I understand that the film aimed for historical accuracy and that wars should be depicted realistically, but it was essentially a cringe-fest with the ongoing disparaging comments towards Native Americans in general, regardless if they were enemies or allies of the Rangers. But the film also balances the view of Native Americans as many of them sided with the Rangers. We see them aid Rogers and the Rangers throughout their trek. They fought alongside them, rescued them at the hazardous rivers, and helped feed them when the Rangers were really hungry. Most of the Rangers recognized that they must respect their Native American allies as well. And to add, the sporadic presence of an Abenaki child also soften the portrayal of Native Americans in this film. So yes, there are some ups and downs in this movie. But overall, it is something worth to watch.
Another film where Douglas Walton appeared in that involve Native Americans is the slap-stick comedy "Hurry, Charlie, Hurry" (1941) in which these characters are the center of the plot. Although extremely stereotypical like any other movie of its time, it is a film that supposed to warm up to the audience with its Native American characters.
This is the second time Douglas Walton shared the screen with Walter Brennan. They appeared together previously in "The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle" (1939).
Other movies where you get to see Douglas Walton in color include "Calamity Jane and Sam Bass" (1949) and "Bring on the Girls" (1945). You have no idea how excited I was seeing Douglas Walton in color for the first time!
I wonder how Douglas Walton felt knowing that he was playing in a film where the story took place in Canada, considering that's his country of birth and where his maternal family lived.
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