Alan Ladd. Female lead Dorothy Lamour was not cast until August. William Demarest also joined in the cast. Eventually Donlevy was replaced by Lloyd Nolan, who was borrowed from 20th Century Fox. Demarest dropped out and Robert Preston was cast as the third lead. The cast included a 28-year-old Caren Marsh—a bit-part actor who had appeared in a Paramount training film warning military personnel against the dangers of women. So many navy and army men wrote in asking for Marsh's picture that Paramount signed her to a long-term contract; Wild Harvest was her first appearance. Filming was meant to start on 2 September 1946 but was postponed a day so Alan Ladd could enjoy his birthday. Filming did not finish until November 1946, ten days behind schedule, causing production of Ladd's next film, Saigon, to be postponed. The film was retitled Wild Harvest in December. The wheat field fire was filmed in part by using miniatures and special effects. These were overseen by Byron Haskin, his last assignment in that capacity for Paramount before he became a director. References External links Review of film at New York Times Review of film at Variety 1947 films 1947 drama films American drama films American black-and-white films 1940s English-language films Films directed by Tay Garnett Films scored by Hugo Friedhofer Paramount Pictures films 1940s American films