In January 1921, Universal announced they had purchased the rights to the novel, The Truant, written by Izola Forrester and Mann Page.
 At the same time they revealed that Frank Mayo had been attached to the project, which had been purchased as a vehicle for the actor.
Production on the film was supposed to begin as quickly as the story could be put into screenplay format.
 The previous year, Universal had discovered a young actress, Gertrude Olmstead, through a national beauty contest held at the Elks Club national convention.
Mary Philbin was the runner-up in that competition, and she was chosen to play a supporting role in the film.
By the end of February it was learned that Robert Thornby would handle the direction of the film.
In early March Universal announced that Lillian Rich would be one of Mayo's co-stars in the film.
By mid-March 1921 the film was in production.
 For the film a replica of an entire Kentucky town was constructed in Topanga Canyon, outside of Los Angeles.

Around the same time it was revealed that Lucien Hubbard had handled adapting the Forrestor/Page story for the screen.
Frank Hollard, Verne Winter, Bert Sprotte, Ray Ripley, Joe Winthrop, and Helen Gilmore were announced as members of the cast.
By mid-April 1921 the project had been renamed The Valley of the Rogues.
This was a short-lived development and it was quickly renamed once again, this time to The Blazing Trail.
In January 1921, Universal announced they had purchased the rights to the novel, The Truant, written by Izola Forrester and Mann Page.  At the same time they revealed that Frank Mayo had been attached to the project, which had been purchased as a vehicle for the actor. Production on the film was supposed to begin as quickly as the story could be put into screenplay format.  The previous year, Universal had discovered a young actress, Gertrude Olmstead, through a national beauty contest held at the Elks Club national convention. Mary Philbin was the runner-up in that competition, and she was chosen to play a supporting role in the film. By the end of February it was learned that Robert Thornby would handle the direction of the film. In early March Universal announced that Lillian Rich would be one of Mayo's co-stars in the film. By mid-March 1921 the film was in production.  For the film a replica of an entire Kentucky town was constructed in Topanga Canyon, outside of Los Angeles.
Around the same time it was revealed that Lucien Hubbard had handled adapting the Forrestor/Page story for the screen. Frank Hollard, Verne Winter, Bert Sprotte, Ray Ripley, Joe Winthrop, and Helen Gilmore were announced as members of the cast. By mid-April 1921 the project had been renamed The Valley of the Rogues. This was a short-lived development and it was quickly renamed once again, this time to The Blazing Trail.
The Blazing Trail (1921 film)