This was probably JM Barrie's second most popular play after Peter Pan because of its gimmick - upper class family washes up on a desert island where the butler proves himself superior to everyone. It's kind of offensive in a way that the Britishers are shown to be happily supporting a strict class system provided the right person in charge - on the island they're all as happy as larry to call Crichton "Guv" and tug their forelocks in the way the contented natives do in Sanders of the River.
But this piece has a lot of charm. It's in colour, shooting took place in Bermuda rather than a studio which helps a lot, Kenneth More is perfect in the leading role (he was best known for playing middle class types but he's completely at home as a butler), the supporting cast includes some expert drolls as Cecil Parker and Miles Malleson (I wasn't as wild about the Edith Evans type character who seems to be a man in drag), there is some very sexy support via Diane Cilento and Sally Ann Howes, running around the island in not much. Howes' performance is really good - very good looking, spirited and gorgeous, she's totally at home on the desert island, and conveys the genuine sadness of the ending... Kenneth More, while being badly treated by the upper class twits he saved at least gets to go off with hot little Diane Cilento and a fortune in pearls, but Howes is stuck with her dreary fiancee and role in society. It's really touching. I've always liked this movie, and while the gags on social structure creak, the romance of living on a desert island remains effective and it's a great star vehicle for More and Howes.
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