RKO bought the film rights to the London play in 1937 as a vehicle for Barbara Stanwyck. Rowland V. Lee was to direct. Jesse L. Lasky said the film would be done in the style of The Power and the Glory (1933) and that Herbert Marshall, Joan Bennett and Joel McCrea might play support roles. However, when she refused the part and was put on suspension, this threw the project into complete disarray and delayed the production for two years.
The play, Distant Fields, originally opened in London on 4 October 1937.
In June 1939, RKO announced they still intended to film the play. John Archer, a winner in Jesse L. Lasky's "Gateway to Hollywood" talent contest, was announced for the co-starring role, replacing Joel McCrea role; Barbara Read was announced for the Stanwyck role. Eventually Archer was replaced by Patric Knowles.
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