Review by All Movie Guide
All Movie Guide
lost interest.
A passable but not exceptional little family film, The Missouri Traveler probably holds the most interest for parents looking for an appropriate film that their children haven't seen many times over. As with the very differently-toned
Pollyanna,
Traveler looks at the effect upon a small community of a orphan child that comes to dwell in its midst. But if
Traveler is bent on teaching a slightly weightier lesson, it still shares the other film's ability to create an interesting slice of small town Americana, circa 1900 or thereabouts (if one not as picture postcard perfect as
Pollyanna's). The story moves with some fits and starts, and
Jerry Hopper's direction could have used a bit more push and imagination, but the whole thing is certainly worthwhile. It's helped enormously by its cast, with another professional turn from
Brandon de Wilde, a gruff and stern one from
Lee Marvin and a very enjoyable supporting one from
Paul Ford.
Gary Merrill,as is usually the case, is a bit of a weak link, but he doesn't seriously damage things. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide