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John Dillinger, known as Public Enemy #1, served as the inspiration for Duke Mante, the villain of The Petrified Forest.
In fact, Bogie even studied the infamous gangster in order to imitate his mannerisms when he first played the part in the Broadway play. Dillinger never saw the performance though, as he was killed less than a year before it opened in 1935.
1. Bogie wasn’t the original pick.
Despite originating the role on stage, Humphrey Bogart was not Warner Brother’s first choice to play the gangster. Rather, Edward G. Robinson was. However, co-star Leslie Howard, who was also in the Broadway play, insisted. He cabled studio head, Jack Warner, stating: “No Bogie, no deal.” As it turns out, Robinson backed out of the part anyway, and Bogie got to reprise the role. Later, Bogie and Bacall named their first child “Leslie” in honor of Howard.
2. The production fell behind.
Delays were caused by Leslie Howard's tardiness and Bette Davis' ankle injury. The worst delay, however, was caused by director Archie Mayo's flub. In one scene, a mounted moose head was in the background behind Bogie. Mayo improperly framed the shot, and as a result, it appeared as if Bogie had a moose head. The scene had to be reshot so he didn't look strange.
3. There was another ending.
Warner Brothers and producer Hal B. Wallis worried that the play’s bleak ending wouldn’t resonate with movie audiences. Therefore, two alternate endings were filmed which had happier finales. However, after screening them, it was decided that the original ending was the best – much to the relief of Bogie and Howard.
