This is a good will feel good movie filmed in beautiful technicolor based in Robert Nathan's book The enchanted voyage. A young girl (Connie Marshall) whose brother (John Payne) has enlisted the army runs away from home when she receives a letter from the government saying he is missed. With the help of her brother's fiancée (June Haver) an old neighbour (Clem Beavans) who has built a ship on land and to avoid the ship is being sold and a man they meet (John Ireland) and decides to help them, they sail along the river to reach for the sea, living an adventure to find the missing brother where they even met mr. Robinson Crusoe, preceeded by The wizard of Oz music. Although not a musical, some enjoyable songs appear, such as the opening Give me the simple life and Bell bottom trousers. As a curiosity, this song with completely changed lyrics, was sung by Arthur Kaps, Franz Joham & Hertha Frankel from Austrian group Els vienesos in Spain during the forties with big success. A delightful fable with a happy ending and agreeable characters that emphasizes on people's good will and benefits from beautiful landscapes and good characterizations. If you liked this one try The little Ark, Flipper's new adventure, Toby Tyler or ten weeks with a circus and Follow that dream.
As a bonus, both John Payne and June Haver sing Give me the simple life in separate scenes beautifully. Nice to watch.