John Wayne's first movie role. Raoul Walsh was having trouble casting the movie when he saw Wayne taking furniture off a truck. Wayne worked for the studio in the prop department.
Gary Cooper was originally offered the role of Breck Coleman and wanted it, but he was under contract to Paramount Pictures, which refused to loan him out. The role was eventually given to John Wayne.
Incredibly, five different versions of this film were shot simultaneously. (1) a 70mm version in the Grandeur process for exhibition in the biggest movie palaces; (2) a standard 35mm version for general release; (3) a 35mm alternate French language version La piste des géants' (4) a 35 mm alternate Spanish language version La gran jornada, and (5) a 35 mm alternate German language version Die große Fahrt. The three alternate language versions were shot with (mostly) different casts.
Marion Morrison was discovered working in the part department and was cast in this film. The producers didn't like his name. Raoul Walsh (the director, who discovered him) suggested Wayne as a last name. He had recently been reading about General Anthony Wayne (Mad Anthony Wayne). The studio added John and the rest was history.
Reportedly this film debuted at a running time of 158 minutes. However, this is unconfirmed as of May 2008.
This film was shot in both the wide screen format, synonymous with "Cinemescope", as well as the standard format. Special wide screens were needed. Most theaters featured only the standard version of the film. Moviegoers at that time,the 1930s, had difficulty paying higher ticket prices to accommodate the new process. This process was soon abandoned but reappeared in 1953 with The Robe, produced in Cinemescope. Television had taken some revenue away from the movie industry and the economy had improved.
This was Marion Morrison's first movie role and the producers didn't like his name. They told Raoul Walsh (the director) Morrison needed a new name. Several names were suggested, Mr Walsh had just read about general Anthony (Mad Anthony) Wayne, he suggested Wayne; the studio added John and the rest was history.