CLASSIC FILM CHOICE

The Maggie (1954) U Sunday, 6.20am, BBC2

The year before The Ladykillers, Alexander Mackendrick directed this Glasgow-set comedy for Ealing Studios. The Maggie is a puffer – a diminutive steamboat carrying cargo up and down the Clyde. Her rough but always ready crew are led by captain MacTaggart (Alex Mackenzie, above), but, as the film opens, they’re struggling to find the £300 needed to renew their licence. As they try to negotiate at the shipping offices, mistaken identity and a bit of wishful thinking land MacTaggart a job transporting a shipment for wealthy American Calvin B. Marshall (Paul Douglas). It’s not all plain sailing, though, especially when Marshall gets wind of the mistake. But in typical Ealing style, it’s the little man who wins out – with courage, pluck and plenty of spirit.