In 1802, lawyer Albion Hamlin travels from Baltimore to Cap François in Haiti during Haiti's struggle for independence from Napoleonic France. He wants to obtain the signature of Lydia Bailey, whose late father left his large estate to the United States Government, which needs the money. Haiti is in turmoil because Napoleon Bonaparte is trying to reclaim control of the island, and forces under Toussaint L'Ouverture are resisting.
Albion has learned that Lydia will be with her fiancé, Col. Gabriel D'Autremont in the outskirts of the city. Albion goes to the American Consulate, but is shocked when his young guide, Nero, is killed by men trying to steal his luggage. They attack him but he is able to fight them off and rescue the boy with the help of a kind stranger who he later finds out to be more than he seems to be.
Albion learns that the D'Autremonts are living at their country chateau inland. He is knocked unconscious, and wakes up to find out he was knocked out by King Dick, the stranger who had previously saved him in the attack, an educated man who supports Toussaint L'Ouverture. He tells Albion that there are many dangers as there are other gangs of armed men roaming the countryside who block their way, and who don't look kindly at anyone they think is supporting France.
He reluctantly follows him to the D'Autremonts, and finally meets up with Lydia Bailey at the estate. Lydia consents to sign Albion's documents, but Napoleon's troops arrive and war breaks out, so her fiancé, Col. Gabriel D'Autremont, joins the soldiers in the city. The rebels attack the estate, and Albion and the others struggle to get through the jungle back to the American ship in the bay and finally make it to the ship with King Dick's help.
The novel was Roberts' first since Olivier Wiswell in 1940. It was published in January 1947. The New York Times called it "an entertaining chronicle" with a "preposterous plot".[3] The book became a best seller.[4]
20th Century Fox first obtained the rights to Kenneth Robert's novel in September 1946, prior to the book being published. They paid $215,000 for a ten-year "lease" on the novel.[5] Fox representatives said they had not even read the book, basing their sale on Roberts' reputation and an outline.[6]William Perlberg was assigned to be producer.[7] The following month that job was given to Sol Siegel.[8]Gene Tierney was the first star announced.[9]
Filming was pushed back after the British government introduced a tax on Hollywood films. This meant the loss of profits in England, which would be crucial in what would be an expensive movie. (Fox also delayed production of other costume pictures which would be expected to make money in Britain, including The Black Rose, Julie and Down the Sea to the Ships).[10]
In April 1948 the project was reactivated, with plans to make the movie using "frozen" funds owed to Fox in England and the Bahamas.[11] In June, Fox announced that Philip Dunne was writing a screenplay, and Linda Darnell would likely play the title role.[12]
However filming did not proceed. By May 1949, Susan Hayward, who had signed to Fox, was being mentioned as a star.[13] In September Zanuck said the film would go into production "shortly".[14]
In February 1950, Fox said Tyrone Power would play the male lead.[15] Plans to film in Haiti were delayed by disturbances in that part of the world. In November Jules Shernberg was appointed producer.[16] Micheline Prelle was announced as star.[17]
In June 1951 Power refused the role.[18]
Power said he had filmed five historical-period films in a row and wished to do a film where "people talk normally and not in stilted dialogue."[19]
Errol Flynn claimed he was slapped in a bar by Canadian millionaire Duncan McMartin which he said aggravated a spinal injury and meant he was unable to take part in the film. He sued McMartin in the Bahamas Supreme Court for £80,000, which included his reported fee for Lydia Bailey, $200,000.[20] The court awarded Flynn $14,000 in damages.[21]
The lead was given to one of Fox's postwar contract players, Dale Robertson. Another contractee, Anne Francis, played Lydia.[22]
Jean Negulesco signed to direct it under a new four-year deal with Fox.[23]
^CHARLES POORE. (Jan 2, 1947). "Books of the Times". New York Times. p. 25.
^"N. DOUBLEDAY, 9, PUBLISHER, Delaware: Succeeded His Father as Head of Book Company in 1934--Kipling Agent.as Youth". New York Times. Jan 12, 1949. p. 27.
^Special to THE NEW YORK TIMES. (Sep 25, 1946). "THREAT OF STRIKE SLOWS FILM PLANS: Production Work Continues but Casting Is Delayed-- Robert Walker in Role Of Local Origin". New York Times. p. 48.
^A.H. WEILER. (Sep 29, 1946). "BY WAY OF REPORT: Bought Sight Unseen Title Tales "Fantasia" Forever". New York Times. p. 67.
^Hopper, Hedda (Jan 31, 1947). "Looking at Hollywood". Chicago Daily Tribune. p. 16.
^THOMAS F. BRADY Special to THE NEW YORK TIMES. (Feb 21, 1947). "RKO WILL PRODUCE 'THE LONG TUNNEL': Studio Buys Labatt Drama for Screening This Year--Landis Signs With Eagle-Lion". New York Times. p. 16.
^Schallert, Edwin (Feb 24, 1947). "DRAMA AND FILM: Best-Seller Heroine 'Lydia Bailey' Nominee". Los Angeles Times. p. A3.
^"ZANUCK HAS THE ANSWERS: LOOKING at HOLLYWOOD with HEDDA HOPPER ZANUCK HAS THE ANSWERS". Chicago Daily Tribune. Oct 5, 1947. p. c10.
^THOMAS F. BRADY Special to THE NEW YORK TIMES. (Apr 22, 1948). "28VIRGINIA MAYO GETS WARNER FILM LEAD: Actress to Star in 'Girl From Jones Beach,' New Comedy Douglas May Do Movie". New York Times. p. 34.
^Schallert, Edwin (June 7, 1948). "Actor to Star Double; 'Lydia Bailey' on Slate". Los Angeles Times. p. 19.
^Hopper, Hedda (May 2, 1949). "Susan Hayward Will Star at 20th Century". Los Angeles Times. p. B4.
^"ZANUCK VIEWPOINTS". New York Times. Sep 11, 1949. p. X4.
^THOMAS F. BRADY Special to THE NEW YORK TIMES. (Feb 28, 1950). "PARAMOUNT CUTS EXECUTIVE STAFF: 14 Minor Production Officials Laid Off in Economy Move --More Reductions Seen". p. 26.
^Schallert, Edwin (Nov 9, 1950). "Niven Will Twice Star Abroad; 'Lydia Bailey' Hypoed; Bob Alda Wanted". Los Angeles Times. p. A12.
^THOMAS F. BRADY Special to THE NEW YORK TIMES. (Nov 14, 1950). "BALLERINA WILL DO ROLE FOR GOLDWYN: Moira Shearer, Principal for Sadler's Wells Group, Signs for Picture Next Fall". p. 38.
^THOMAS F. BRADY (June 2, 1951). "KIRK DOUGLAS SET FOR 'BIG SKY' LEAD: Hawks and Lasker to Produce Film of A.B. Guthrie Jr. Fur Trading Novel at R.K.O. Of Local Origin". New York Times. p. 13.
^Thomas, Bob. "Tyrone Power's Life Rivaled His Screen Roles", The Spencer Daily Reporter, 18 Nov. 1958
^"Flynn Winds Up $223,200 Slap Case Evidence". Los Angeles Times. Mar 23, 1952. p. 34.
^"Grant $14,000 to Errol Flynn for a Slapping". Chicago Daily Tribune. Mar 29, 1952. p. 1.
^THOMAS F. BRADY (4 June 1951). "POWER'S ROLE GOES TO CONTRACT ACTOR: Dale Robertson Will Play Lead in Fox Film Adaptation of Roberts' 'Lydia Bailey'". New York Times. p. 29.
^THOMAS F. BRADY (Apr 17, 1951). "COMPANY FORMED TO FILM MYSTERY: Julian Lesser, Col. Carreras Set Up Royal Productions to Make 'Whispering Smith'". New York Times. p. 34.
