Wake Up and Dream

This charming picture, if most previous reviewers consider it quite poorly, has many qualities that make it special. Based on the poster and DVD cover you might expect a musical, even more when it opens with John Payne singing "Give me the simple life" (and doing it so well), when it is only partially so. There are a couple of songs performed by him and June Haver as Jenny (also so nicely sung), but that´s all. Instead, this story turns to be better than that, shifting to the questions of maintaining personal beliefs and hopes in hard times (a war going on), helping one another and true friendship. Because when Payne joins the Navy and we see no more of him for most of the film, it is his little sister Nella (Connie Marshall), Jenny and their neighbour optimistic ship builder Henry Pecket (wonderful Clem Bevans, by whose acting alone this movie deserves to be watched) that will find in their mutual friendship an unexpected way to face the hardships of life and try to find a way ahead through a shared dream (navigating Pecket´s backyard-built ship) that brings them both comfort and adventure. And this is what the story is about, above all. They are joined by a discharged soldier, a young John Ireland in a role so distant from his excellent villains.

The soft pastel-toned color is another good achievement, enhancing June Haver´s beauty. By the way, you might also like The Little Ark from 1972.

So by everyone interested in the best of human nature this story will be enjoyed. It´s one of those movies they hardly ever do nowadays and are both entertaining and interesting. In fact, you can guess its tone from the starting frames with "Once upon a time...", and as the song says, "... sounds corny and seedy, but yes, indeede, give me the simple life". And that´s what is all about.

The cast is top-drawer, the songs are great and the color is brilliant in this war-time fable of a little girl searching for her brother, listed MIA during WWII. The predictable story is presented in interesting fashion, laced with some good songs, especially a rendition of "Off To See The Wizard." Also of interest is the performance by a very young John Ireland, in a non-action role. Never destined to be a classic, it is still good viewing for kids and adults.

"Wake Up and Dream" is not a film for everyone. This is because the plot is VERY schmaltzy and might make some cringe...while others will enjoy the movie. Don't say I didn't warn you!

The film begins with Jeff (John Payne) going off to war. He leaves his little sister behind (even though he had a deferment since he was her sole caretaker) and promises if he's lost, he'll be 'waiting on their island'...whatever that means. Well, soon he is missing in action and the young sister goes off on a hairbrained search for him. While this is hard to believe, adults agreeing to go with her on a boating trip from the Midwest does seem amazingly far-fetched! Does it get more difficult to believe? You betcha!

I enjoyed most of the film despite its heavy infusion of schmaltz. However, the ending really laid it on thick...too thick...to the point where it became a bit annoying and ridiculous. Decent acting but I just couldn't love this film despite all its good qualities.

Starts out with a sappy WW II romance between waitress June Haver and farmer John Payne. He's too shy and she's impatient. He's got a mopey kid sister (Connie Marshall) and then there's the town crank (Clem Bevans) who's been building a boat even though they are nowhere near water. Payne enlists and goes off to war.

When they get a letter saying Payne's missing in action, they (accidentally) set off on a boat journey to find him. Here's where the film tries to link to THE WIZARD OF OZ by playing the theme song over and over again. On the road, the trio runs into a failed dentist (John Ireland) who joins the quest. He becomes useful, especially when they finally find a river.

They get lost on the waterways and come upon a nutty recluse (the wizard?) but a navy plane spots the stranded boat and they are rescued ... just about the time Payne returns unharmed.

Nothing about the plot makes any sense at all. The main story about the boat is annoying because it's so stupid, and the analogies to the Oz story makes no sense either.

Haver comes off best but that's no great prize. Payne is hardly in the film. Ireland is good but his character is strange. Bevans is way too hammy, and Marshall seems to be channeling Margaret O'Brien as a weepy and nearly hysterical child. George Cleveland plays the recluse. Charlotte Greenwood is totally wasted as the landlady (she may be the wife) of the Bevans character. Other familiar faces include Charles D. Brown as the commander, Minerva Urecal as the gossip, Charles Russell as Coles, and Lee Patrick who seems to be the woman sitting on a stool.

The song "Give Me the Simple Life" is the only good thing to come out of this mess.

Although some may argue that the best part of this film is the frequently used song "Give Me the Simple Life," I found it to be relaxing and charming.

When viewing any film like this, I believe it's important to remember that it was released after our nation had endured a decade of depression followed by 4 years of the horror of WWII. This quiet little film provided relief from the stress of those traumatic years, and a glimmer of hope for the future.

The entire cast was down home friendly and comfortable to watch. The color photography is warm and welcoming, and the background score provides the appropriate mood for each scene and some hope for the future.

I watched it on Classic Reel one chilly Spring morning and enjoyed every minute.