Paramount bought the story in May 1938. In May 1939 they announced Madeline Griffth would star under the direction of Edward Griffith.[3] Her co-star was going to be Joel McCrea who had just signed a two-year contract with Paramount.[4] Another lead role was given to Whitney Bourne who Paramount were grooming for stardom.[5]
The film is based on the life of Beryl Markham. Douglas Fairbanks Jr. recalled that she was offered a part in the picture, and she found the process of filming “scarier than flying the Atlantic solo.”[6]
In August Carroll announced she would be getting the boat back from England to start making the film in October.[8] By this stage Douglas Fairbanks Jr had replaced McCrea as her co star.[9]
^"SCREEN NEWS HERE AND IN HOLLYWOOD: New York Times". May 20, 1939. p. 16.
^"SCREEN NEWS HERE AND IN HOLLYWOOD: Carole Lombard Selected by Selznick for the Lead Role in 'Flashing Stream' JOEL M'CREA IN 'SAFARI' To Co-Star With Madeleine Carroll". New York Times. May 31, 1939. p. 30.
^Schallert, Edwin (June 3, 1939). "DRAMA: Whitney Bourne to Be Groomed for Stardom". Los Angeles Times. p. A9.
^Schallert, Edwin (July 8, 1939). "Preston Foster Lead in Sweepstakes Expose: Muni's Son Selected Swing King in Movies Nancy Kelly Assigned Meredith Reappears Stand-in Turns Author". Los Angeles Times. p. A7.
^"SCREEN NEWS HERE AND IN HOLLYWOOD". New York Times. Aug 30, 1939. p. 22.
^Scheuer, Philip K. (Sep 16, 1939). "DRAMA: Mary Pickford Will Produce Gish Story". Los Angeles Times. p. 24.
^Scheuer, Philip K. (Sep 7, 1939). "SCREEN: Priscilla Lane Earns Stardom in 'Episode'". Los Angeles Times. p. 13.
Bibliography
Kenneth M. Cameron. Africa on Film: Beyond Black and White. Continuum, 1994.