[6] Smiley Greevins is a mischievous boy who lives in the small country town of Murrumbilla (based on Augathella[7][8]).

Smiley takes on various odd jobs, showing enterprise, hard work, and persistence in slowly accumulating the considerable sum (£5) needed, despite getting involved in a number of pranks, including getting into trouble with the local law enforcement in the figure of Sergeant Flaxman.

Smiley unwittingly helps the local publican, Jim Rankin, sell opium to aborigines who live in a camp near the town.

A romantic subplot involves Rankin and Sergeant Flaxman vying for the affections of Miss Workman the new local schoolmistress.

The book was hailed as an Australian Huckleberry Finn[9] and film rights were bought immediately by Sir Alexander Korda.

[13] Korda eventually assigned the project to Anthony Kimmins, who had served in Australia in World War II.

[6] Part of the budget was provided by 20th Century Fox, who had money frozen in Australia due to currency restrictions.

[6] Filming started in late October, with the township of Murrumbilla being created on an estate at Camden Park, Gundy NSW and finished eight weeks later.