Most Ealing comedies championed consensus, but Alexander Mackendrick's revelled in conflict. The ‘Maggie’ is a decrepit Clyde 'puffer' boat, whose wily captain dupes a wealthy American businessman to ferry his possessions to his new Scottish island home - then proceeds to delay, hinder and endanger his hapless client. This third of Mackendrick's four comedies for Ealing may be the least known, but it has all the mischief and moral ambiguity of his more celebrated predecessors, Whisky Galore! and The Man in the White Suit.
A young scientist invents an unbreakable fabric that dispels dirt. Soon, he finds himself being hunted by both textile moguls and trade unionists, both determined to keep his invention from reaching the public. Alec Guinness shines in this inspired Ealing comedy, one of the most cherished entries...
