The Petrified Forest - 1936

Leslie Howard and Humphrey Bogart had played the same roles in the stage version. Warner Brothers wanted to put Howard in the film but replace Bogart with Edward G. Robinson. Howard insisted on Bogart, and Robinson was happy to step aside from yet another gangster role. Bogart would later name his second child with Lauren Bacall Leslie, in honor of Howard, the man who gave him his first big break.

The character of Duke Mantee was mainly inspired by bank robber John Dillinger.

The original Broadway version also featured John Alexander and Slim Thompson, who recreate their roles in this film. The stage production opened Jan. 7, 1935 at the Broadhurst Theatre in New York and ran for 197 performances.

Constance Bergen is in studio records/casting call lists for the role of "Doris," but she did not appear, although her character name is mentioned.

Mounted on the wall of the diner in which the story takes place is the headdress of a Native American medicine man, which resembles the horned head of an American buffalo. 'The Petrified Forest' director Archie Mayo staged many of the movie's shots with the head of actor Humphrey Bogart (playing 'world-famous murderer Duke Mantee') framed by the headdress mounted on the wall behind him. The composition of these shots, which appear throughout the second half of the film, result in the appearance of a demon's horns sprouting from Mantee's head.

Cast of The Petrified Forest

Leslie Howard ... Alan Squier
Bette Davis ... Gabrielle Maple
Humphrey Bogart ... Duke Mantee
Genevieve Tobin ... Mrs. Chisholm
Dick Foran ... Boze Hertzlinger
Joe Sawyer ... Jackie (billed as Joseph Sawyer)
Porter Hall ... Jason Maple
Charley Grapewin ... Gramp Maple
Paul Harvey ... Mr. Chisholm
Eddie Acuff ... Lineman
Adrian Morris ... Ruby
Nina Campana ... Paula
Slim Thompson ... Slim
John Alexander ... Joseph