British Comedy Guide
The Maggie. Image shows from L to R: The Skipper (Captain Peter MacTaggart) (Alex Mackenzie), The Engineman (McGregor) (Abe Barker), The Mate (Hamish) (James Copeland). Copyright: STUDIOCANAL / Ealing Studios
The Maggie

The Maggie

  • 1954 film

Ealing comedy depicting a clash of cultures between a hard-nosed American businessman and a crafty Scottish sea captain. Stars Paul Douglas, Alex Mackenzie, James Copeland, Abe Barker, Tommy Kearins and more.

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The Maggie. Image shows from L to R: Pusey (Hubert Gregg), The Skipper (Captain Peter MacTaggart) (Alex Mackenzie), The Wee Boy (Dougie) (Tommy Kearins), The Engineman (McGregor) (Abe Barker), The Mate (Hamish) (James Copeland). Copyright: STUDIOCANAL / Ealing Studios

Key details

Genre
Film
Released
1954
Stars
Paul Douglas, Alex Mackenzie, James Copeland, Abe Barker, Tommy Kearins, Hubert Gregg, Geoffrey Keen, Dorothy Alison and more
Writers
William Rose and Alexander Mackendrick
Director
Alexander Mackendrick
Producers
Michael Truman and Michael Balcon
Company

The crew of an ageing Glasgow-based puffer named Maggie are equally bemused and delighted when an overworked shipping clerk agrees to contract them to deliver a valuable cargo between the city and the remote port of Kiltarra, apparently mistaking another, grander, newer vessel for their own modest but beloved boat.

The Maggie - normally a transporter of coal - dutifully loads up and sets sail, but runs aground whilst still in Glasgow, on the shallow-sunk top of a subway tunnel, before eventually making headway at the next high tide. When his clerk's oversight is realised by the owner of the shipment, American airline owner Mr Marshall, he resolves that he will retrieve his goods and have them transported by the calibre of vessel originally envisaged - but the crew of SS Maggie are faithfully devoted to their old puffer and her abilities, and resolute in not wanting to lose the contract!

Marshall personally soon begins to give chase, by car, boat, taxi, and plane, but as the Maggie makes steady progress on the route they were originally contracted to go, it looks increasingly like the small puffer will have its day over the moneyed American.

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Additional details

UK certificate
U
Duration
92 minutes
Produced
1953
Distributors

General Film Distributors

Also known as
  • The 'Maggie'
Production
Studio
Camera set-up
Single camera
Picture
Black and white

Website links

Broadcast details

Most recent repeats
  • Thursday 28th April 2022 at 9:00pm on Sky Arts
  • Sunday 24th April 2022 at 3:00pm on Sky Arts
  • Sunday 13th January 2019 at 6:20am on BBC2

Recording details

  • Ealing Studios

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