The Maggie

The Maggie (released in the U.S. as High and Dry) is a 1954 British comedy film. Directed by Alexander Mackendrick and written by William Rose, it is a story of a clash of cultures between a hard-driving American businessman and a wily Scottish captain.

It was produced by Ealing Studios, at a time when rural Scotland was seen as a popular backdrop for light family entertainment (other examples include I Know Where I'm Going!, Whisky Galore! and Geordie, and British Transport Films such as The Coasts of Clyde).

The story was inspired by Neil Munro's short stories of the Vital Spark and her captain, Para Handy.

Plot

The Maggie is a small, aged boat, a typical Clyde puffer. Mactaggart (Alex Mackenzie), a rascal of a captain, is in dire need of 300 pounds to renew his licence. By chance, he meets Mr Pusey (Hubert Gregg) at the office of a shipping firm. Pusey, a proper Englishman, complete with bowler hat and umbrella, is trying to arrange for the transportation of some personal furniture for his boss, American Calvin B. Marshall (Paul Douglas), but the big company has no ships immediately available. Mactaggart gets the job when Pusey mistakenly believes that he works for the reputable shipping company and that the more modern vessel docked next to the Maggie is Mactaggart's.

Marshall eventually learns the truth and sets out in pursuit of the boat by aeroplane and hired car.When he...
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