Leslie Howard and Humphrey Bogart had played the same roles in the stage version.
Warner Brothers wanted to put Leslie Howard in the film but replace Bogart with Edward G. Robinson.
Leslie Howard insisted on Bogart, and Robinson was happy to step aside from yet another gangster role.
Bogart later named his first child with Lauren Bacall Leslie, in honour of Leslie Howard, the man who gave him his first big break.

A short synopsis:-

A rundown diner in the Arizona desert and inside fugitive killer Duke Mantee and gang.
They are holding writer Alan Squier, Gabby Maple, and a handful of others hostage.