It was the idea of William Bowers, about three interpretations of a single incident in the life of a Western pioneer; it would be told in flashback from an old person's home.

Bowers says he got the idea from reading an article in Life magazine about old gunfighters who lived in an old person's home in Prescott Arizona.

[4] In April 1948, Deanna Durbin and Charles Coburn were announced for the lead roles.

[7] (Bowers says Susan Hayward was going to star but Universal decided to use their contracted talent "and it went right out the window"[3]) Stephen McNally and Howard Duff were given support roles.

[8] They dropped out and were replaced by Scott Brady and John Russell (the latter borrowed from 20th Century Fox).