 Smith later claimed the price of the film rights was the highest ever that had been paid in Australian cinema, with the exception of "The Sentimental Bloke" (1919).In January 1919 Snowy Baker announced he would star in the film based on Smith's script.It was reported that "a start has already been made with the picture on Mr. Erie McKellar's station, where every facility is offered for the aiming of such thrills as the great ride from "Rio Grande," the bushranging scenes from "Conroy's Gap," and the tight from "Salt Bush Bill."