The character of Bill Gay was not in the novel which you can read here:
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/2083/2083-h/2083-h.htm
He bears a strong resemblance to Ben Gunn, a character in Treasure Island, especially in the way Gunn has been portrayed on screen.
--
Drake
FYI
Bill Gay is, of course, Wilfrid Brambell aka Steptoe from 'Steptoe And Son.' Brambell was one of those secret homosexual actors from the Sixties, so I don't know what he thought of playing someone called 'Bill Gay' - he was once arrested 'soliciting for immoral purposes' in a public lavatory. British viewers will also notice Norman Bird ('The Hill' and 'Victim') and Ronald Fraser (more of a comedy player) in the early scenes.
This film is hardly Disney at its best, but Hayley Mills is cute & Michael Anderson Jr. is dishy. Needless to say, the portrayal of the Maoris as 'savage cannibals' wouldn't even remotely pass muster in 2015.
I saw this when it was 1st in theaters, and I have loved and remembered all the performances ever since, especially George Sanders and Wilfrid Brambell, especially towards the end of the film, when Wilfrid is ragging on George, and George with his ever seemingly present cigar, getting tired of Wilfrid's ragging, turns and blows smoke in Wilfrid's face. ROTFL! at that one. And Wilfrid's character's last name in the film is spelled. G-A-Y-E.
shareYou noticed. At least he didn't mention cheese.
share