The Painted Desert selected Higgin to direct the film, as well as naming the stars of the film, William Boyd and Dorothy Burgess. Later in the month it was reported that Higgin would head to Arizona to begin location scouting for the film, accompanied by fellow director, Tay Garnett, however in August Higgin began scouting in the Arizona desert with the screenwriter, Tom Buckingham. It was announced that the film would employ over 300 extras. Higgin was familiar with the area, having working in and around Flagstaff, Arizona as a lumberjack prior to his entering the film industry. Towards the end of August
U S Navy Flag distance. With Moore again in the saddle he produced his customary front-running display before drawing away from his opponents in the final furlong and winning by six lengths from Landshark. On 30 September at Newmarket, U S Navy Flag, ridden by Heffernan, was one of twelve colts to contest the Group 1 Middle Park Stakes over six furlongs and started at odds of 10/1. The Railway Stakes winner Beckford started favourite, whilst the other runners included Sioux Nation, Cardsharp, Rajasinghe, Unfortunately (Prix Morny) and Sands of Mali (Gimcrack Stakes). U S Navy Flag tracked the leader Hey Jonesy before taking