In 1935 it was announced the film would be one of four movies made by Cinesound in response to the New South Wales Film Quota Act (the others were "Thoroughbred", "Tall Timbers" and "Lovers and Luggers"). The film was announced again in late 1936 and late 1937. In 1938 Hal Roach announced plans to make a bushranger story called "Captain Midnight" in Hollywood; Hall reminded that he had the rights to "Robbery Under Arms". (Roach made an original story called "Captain Fury").