THE MAGGIE [1954 / 2015] [Blu-ray] [UK Release]
A Charming and Thoroughly British Comedy! Digitally Restored!
Ealing Studios output from the 1940s and 1950s helped define what was arguably the golden age for British cinema. It fostered great directors such as Alexander MacKendrick and Robert Hamer, while giving stars such as Sir Alec Guinness and Peter Sellers a chance.
Directed by Alexander MacKendrick, ‘THE MAGGIE’ is a heart-warming comedy set in Scotland, and is about a skipper who tricks a wealthy American businessman Calvin B. Marshall [Paul Douglas] into entrusting him to ship his valuable cargo on a dilapidated rundown old “puffer” shipping vessel called “The Maggie,” which is captained by the taciturn skipper Captain MacTaggart [Alex Mackenzie]. The American tycoon soon realises his mistake and goes up against the scheming crew of the “Maggie,” who are determined to outwit the American businessman and keep the contract. ‘THE MAGGIE’ is one of Ealing Studios’ forgotten treasures and a must see for fans of this type of comedy genre.
FILM FACT: The story was inspired by Neil Munro's short stories of the Vital Spark and her captain, Para Handy, the anglicised Gaelic nickname of the fictional character. “The Maggie” was played by two Hays boats in the film, the Boer and the Inca. Much of the film was shot on location at Islay. The film uses real place names as far as the Crinan Canal, and then switches to fictional place names once they get through it. The film's working title was "Highland Fling," during filming in the summer of 1953, but was changed to “The Maggie” before its release in early 1954.
Cast: Paul Douglas, Alex Mackenzie, James Copeland, Abe Barker, Tommy Kearins, Hubert Gregg, Geoffrey Keen, Dorothy Alison, Andrew Keir, Meg Buchanan, Mark Dignam, Jameson Clark, Moultrie Kelsall, Fiona Clyne, Sheila Shand Gibbs, Betty Henderson, Russell Waters, Duncan McIntyre, Roddy McMillan, Jack Macguire, John Rae, Jack Stewart, Eric Woodburn, Douglas Robin, R.B. Wharrie, David Cameron, Catherine Fletcher, William Crichton, Andrew Downie, Herbert Cameron, Gilbert Stevenson and John Horsley (uncredited)
Director: Alexander Mackendrick
Producers: Michael Balcon and Michael Truman
Screenplay: William Rose (screenplay) and Alexander Mackendrick (original story)
Composer: John Addison
Cinematography: Gordon Dines (Director of Photography)
Image Resolution: 1080p (Black-and-White)
Aspect Ratio: 1.37:1
Audio: English: 2.0 LPCM Mono Audio
English: 2.0 Dolby Digital Stereo Audio
Subtitles: English SDH
Running Time: 92 minutes
Number of discs: 1
Region: Region B/2
Studio: Ealing Studios / STUDIOCANAL
Andrew’s Blu-ray Review: ‘THE MAGGIE’ [1954] is the comedy film set in the Hebridean islands of Scotland and directed by Alexander Mackendrick. ‘THE MAGGIE’ which was filmed in and around the isle of Islay, in Scotland and it is a satire on a clash between two conflicting cultures. A wily Scots skipper of a run-down, unseaworthy coal-fired “puffer” cargo boat, the “Maggie” cons an American businessman into letting him ship his cargo of valuable furniture from Glasgow to a remote island. ‘THE MAGGIE’ floated from British screens out across the Atlantic as ‘High and Dry,’ cementing the reputation of Ealing Studios comedies on both sides of the pond.
Set in the post-war years when Britain and the United States were defining their relationship, and the original Alexander Mackendrick’s story is turned into the original screenplay by William Rose, who also wrote those classic comedy films ‘Genevieve’ [1954] and ‘The Ladykillers’ [1955] and a much later film ‘Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner’ [1967] With ‘THE MAGGIE’ we get to see Scotland and its strong national identity to represent Britain and its long traditional culture. It’s regional and idiosyncratic, yet it’s never patronising to the Scots. It shows them to have human values that the brusque and domineering American lacks. The Maggie’s skipper, Captain MacTaggart [Alex Mackenzie], pulls a fast one because he is penniless and desperate for £300 to keep his boat afloat. His crew are unpaid but steadfast and especially the cheeky cabin boy, Dougie [Tommy Kearins] known as the “Wee Boy,” is touchingly loyal. In fact, he quickly becomes the moral centre of the film.
Calvin B. Marshall [Paul Douglas] as the American businessman who represents the bullying aspect of corporate America, even though his name “Calvin” is for the Calvinist work ethic and “Marshall” echoes the Marshall Plan, the post-war American economic rescue programme for Europe, with all the dominance that implies. When he discovers he’s been conned, he’s wealthy enough to muster private planes and taxis to catch up with the “Maggie” to try and rescue his furniture, eventually insisting on remaining on board the boat to ensure its safe arrival and he thinks. But tough as he may be in business, he’s no match for Captain MacTaggart’s determined wiles hang on to his payment for the trip. He’s led a merry dance from port to port, via a one-hundredth birthday party in a remote village where he’s made welcome, joins in the Scottish dancing and at last starts to become more human. A young woman at the party asks his advice on which of her suitors she should marry. Of course, he advises in favour of the one who wants to make something of himself. But she decides on the fisherman who will never be successful but will spend more time with her. This hits home with him as he applies this lesson to his troubled relationship with his wife and he may give her expensive gifts, such as furniture for their holiday home, but, he realises, not his time.
The film shows how the values of the homespun people of a small island community may humanise the harsh face of a domineering capitalism, and there are excellent performances from all concerned, both lead characters and bit parts. On the way, it pokes fun at both sides and also, in between them, Britain, in the prissy person of Calvin B. Marshall’s ineffectual assistant Pusey [Hubert Gregg], a typically English bowler-hatted caricature, and with the crew of the “Maggie,” succeeds in getting himself arrested for poaching.
‘THE MAGGIE’ is a forgotten gem in the long list of brilliant Ealing Studios’ classic British films, made in an era commonly regarded as the “Golden Age” of British Cinema. The infectious storyline reels the viewer in immediately when the ‘Maggie’ pulls into harbour at Glasgow. The coast guards speak of her cunning master Captain MacTaggart and the recent trouble he found himself in. The Maggie’s engineer warns Captain MacTaggart they should have arrived in Glasgow at night to avoid being caught by Captain MacTaggart’s sister Sarah, the rightful owner of the archaic puffer. Captain MacTaggart responds in his usual relaxed manner, “they will never come looking for us in the day, they won’t expect it.” An air of mischief and trickery surrounds the Captain MacTaggart and the “Maggie” herself. The notion of harmless misbehaviour that runs deep throughout the entire film.
In ‘THE MAGGIE’ we have an old run-down “puffer” steam boat called the “Maggie” that carries a loveable yet reckless reputation, only surpassed by her crafty old master Captain MacTaggart. When Captain MacTaggart gets hold of an expensive cargo by chance, their journey ahead will be anything but plain sailing. Additionally in the scene where Captain MacTaggart bellows instructions at Dougie [Tommy Kearins] who again is known as the ship’s “Wee Boy,” who follows orders with no resentment whatsoever. Dougie’s obedience is exemplary of one the strongest themes in the film; loyalty. The boy is totally committed to the Captain MacTaggart and the “Maggie,” no matter how harshly he is treated. Even when Captain MacTaggart, who is also prone to an afternoon pint or two, leaves the boy to pay for his drinks, Dougie literally fights a man defending his Captain MacTaggart’s name.
Captain MacTaggart is on the verge of having his beloved “puffer” steam boat shut down when he tricks the incompetent Pusey [Hubert Gregg], into entrusting him with an expensive cargo owned by American business transport tycoon Calvin B. Marshall [Paul Douglas]. The “Maggie” is barely in a fit enough state to carry her crew, let alone a cargo worth thousands of pounds, but Pusey mistakes a well-kept ship for the “Maggie.” Captain MacTaggart is only too happy to go along with this fortunate mix up “it seems there’s been a wee bit of a misunderstanding” he says with a cheeky smile. As well as highlighting the warmly deceiving nature of Captain MacTaggart, these two incidents reveal another one of his many traits; he is an opportunist.
When the cargo’s owner Calvin B. Marshall tries to track down the “Maggie” and retrieve his cargo, a hilarious game of cat and mouse begins. Captain MacTaggart pulls out bluff after bluff and even when Marshall personally boards the “Maggie,” Captain MacTaggart uses his wit, lovable smile and any opportunity he gets to keep the cargo on board. Another strong undercurrent of the “Maggie” is the tradition against modernisation; ‘THE MAGGIE’ being a symbol of tradition struggling to cope with Calvin B. Marshall and the demands of modern shipping. Calvin B. Marshall is also a compelling character and a likeable person, but he is someone who is not at peace with himself. Calvin B. Marshall intends to bring the cargo to his brand new holiday home in attempt to rekindle his strained marriage. Under the surface of Calvin B. Marshall’s predicament there is a sense of materialism and the cargo being at odds with the more important things in life, such as seeing your loved ones and being content with yourself, and at journey’s end, Captain MacTaggart renames his “puffer” boat the “Calvin B. Marshall.” Also, we cannot fail to mention the tangy beautiful atmosphere of Scottish seaports, canals and white stone hamlets that is surrounded by the heather and the moors, and you can feel it, all the way through the film and it is downright intoxicating and it is also a very beautiful and hearty wholesome film for all ages.
‘THE MAGGIE’ is a really beautiful blend of charismatic characters, witty humour and a very engaging storyline. In an age where blockbuster movies with over-the-top special effects and weak storylines dominate the box office, it is reassuring to watch a film with a truly original screenplay. Captain MacTaggart, Dougie and Calvin B. Marshall are three of the strongest characters I have ever seen in a film, whilst ‘THE MAGGIE’ has the underlying themes that are tactfully executed without being forced upon the viewer. During a particular scene a journalist describes the old “puffer” boats as a “national treasure” and personally I could not think of a more appropriate way to describe the “Maggie.” Directed with great economy by Alexander Mackendrick and ‘THE MAGGIE’ packs in a lot of sly wit and charm in its 92 minutes. ‘THE MAGGIE’ is part of the BFI [British Film Institute] “Britain on Film” project, in which thousands of titles are being be digitised and will be made available for future Blu-ray disc releases. The digital film restoration was funded by STUDOCANAL in collaboration with the BFI’s “Unlocking Film Heritage” programme and awarding funds from the National Lottery.
Blu-ray Image Quality – Presented in the aspect ratio of 1.37:1 and encoded with a brilliant crisp black-and-white 1080p image transfer, and arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of STUDIOCANAL. The Ealing Studios have been recently restored by STUDIOCANAL, and this very witty and very entertaining British Ealing Studios comedy looks simply wonderful in high-definition. Virtually all close-ups boast outstanding depth and clarity and one can easily see even exceptionally small details. There are no traces of problematic de-graining or sharpening adjustments. Rather predictably, grain is beautifully resolved and evenly distributed and from start to finish the film has a very pleasing organic appearance. All in all, this is a fantastic restoration of ‘THE MAGGIE’ which will unquestionably remain the definitive presentation of this Ealing Studios film on this brilliant STUDIOCANAL Blu-ray disc. STUDIOCANAL has also provided the optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Please Note: Playback Region B/2: This will not play on most Blu-ray players sold in North America, Central America, South America, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Southeast Asia. Learn more about Blu-ray region specifications.
Blu-ray Audio Quality – As with these STUDIOCANAL Blu-ray releases, there is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray disc, which is just 2.0 LCPM Mono Audio. It is very obvious that the audio has been fully restored as balance is excellent and there isn't even a whiff of background hiss. The dialogue is exceptionally clean, stable, and easy to follow. Dynamic intensity is somewhat limited, but depth cannot possibly be much better. For the record, there are absolutely no pops, cracks, audio dropouts, or digital distortions to report with this Blu-ray review.
Blu-ray Special Features and Extras:
Special Feature: Introduction from Film Historian Charles Barr [2015] [1080p] [1.78:1] [8:52] Here we find Charles Barr [Author of Ealing Studios] sitting in a purpose private viewing theatre, where he talks about Ealing Studios under the control of Michael Balcon, who made nearly a 100 films and only two of them were set in Scotland, and informs us that not very any for a British Film Studio, and of course “British” usually meant English films. But very surprising is that we are told that Ealing Studios made more films in Australia, than they did in Scotland, and especially the two said films based in Scotland was of course ‘Whisky Galore!’ and ‘THE MAGGIE’ and both of course were directed by Alexander MacKendrick, but also did the screenplay for ‘THE MAGGIE,’ who interestingly enough was actually Scottish himself, but spent most of his working life in America. The Nationalist Scottish critics hated the two films set in Scotland and regarded the treatment of Scotland its people as too sentimental and very patronising, and especially making out the Scottish people are quaint, and also making out that everything revolved around heather and whisky, meaning they were typical stereotyped, as well as the “puffer” steamboat the “Maggie.” But really it is much more complicated scenario, especially the way the two writer/director team William Rose and Alexander Mackendrick portrayed ‘THE MAGGIE’ and who later onto making ‘The Lady Killers.’ Alexander Mackendrick stated that he had a lot of sympathy with the American businessman and that you actually see another side of Scotland and that ‘THE MAGGIE’ is not really typical stereotype of Scotland; where in fact it is again a much more about complicate scenario mishaps, which is a typical Ealing Studios comedy classic film, especially the comedy aspect of the film where Pusey [Hubert Gregg], gets the skipper of the “Maggie” to sign the papers, thinking he has signed up to the bigger boat, which is especially the butt of the joke against the Englishman. Charles Barr also talks with great affection for the character the “Wee Boy” Dougie played by Tommy Kearins, who does not become a child star or wants to further his film career, but despite this, Charles Barr felt Tommy Kearins gave a brilliant performance, especially being part of the crew and also being loyal to the Captain of the “puffer” steam boat, but also sees the point of the American businessman, especially at the end of the film, where the director Alexander Mackendrick was really good at getting the best out of child actors and especially Tommy Kearins, who gave ‘THE MAGGIE’ its extra dimension of complexity. And so ends a really nice special feature, where Charles Barr gives us some very nice insight into the behind-the-scenes low down on the making of ‘THE MAGGIE’ and you also get lost of nice black-and white clips from the film and is well worth a view.
Special Feature: Puffer Ship Feature [2015] [1080p] [1.78:1] [19:44] With this really nice special feature, we hear in great detail all about what Scotland call small boats with steam engines and that of course is a “Puffer;” and we are in Crinan Ferry Beach area, which is the Heart of Argyll in Scotland, where we are introduced to Nick Walker, who is the owner of the Clyde Steam Puffer boat known as the “VIC 32” and is also the Founder of the “Puffer Preservation Trust.” Here Nick Walker goes into great detail how the word “Puffer” came about and informing us that the name “Puffer” comes from the sound of the steam engine, that goes “puff, puff, puff” and eventually you see the smoke coming out of the funnel and Nick informs us also that he first fell in love with a “Puffer” at the age of eight, because his Grandma had a house in the Crinan Ferry Beach area of Scotland, where this special feature of course was filmed and Nick Walker’s Parents would drive all the way from London up to Scotland and had great fun with his relations, especially enjoying themselves on the steam boats and other activities in the area. Nick Walker also informs us that the “Puffer” has Five Elements, which include “Earth,” “Fire,” “Air,” “Water” and “Love” and also informs us that “Earth” is the coal, “Fire” is the furnace, “Air”is all the hot air coming out of the engine, “Water” is what you float on and the final element is “Love” and there is plenty of that towards the “Puffer” that Nick is sitting in. Nick really loves the “Puffer,” and especially the steam boat “VIC 32,” which is filmed in the wheelhouse. But when the steam boat “Puffer” is working it is a glorious silent experience, because the steam engine is totally silent, because it doesn’t have an explosion from the engine when it is working, whereas with a “Puffer” that has a diesel or petrol engine, you experience that explosion when working. With the “VIC 32,” instead of carry goods, it has been converted to carry 12 fare paying passengers, it also has two cooks on board that produce beautiful meals and if you ever get cold can go and stand next to the boiler and if you get wet you can dry your clothes on the boiler. Nick talks lovingly about the Ealing Studios comedies and especially ‘THE MAGGIE’ film, especially portraying the adventures of the “Puffer” steam boat in the film. When he got married and held the reception, they hired a projector and screen and showed ‘THE MAGGIE’ and Nick had tears running down his face watching the film and even since then he has watched ‘THE MAGGIE’ loads of times. Nick Walker also informs us about Neil Munro [1863 – 1930] who was a Scottish journalist, newspaper editor, author and literary critic and was basically a serious writer but is now mainly known for his humorous short stories, originally written under the pen name in the anglicised Gaelic nickname of the fictional character Peter Macfarlane in the 1920s, which were very boring stories, but eventually got to write short stories for the Glasgow Evening Times about the adventures of “Para Handy” and its crafty Gaelic skipper of the Vital Spark, a Clyde “puffer” steamboat of the sort that delivered goods from Glasgow to Loch Fyne, the Hebrides, and the west coast highlands of Scotland in the early 20th century and of course the rest is history especially when Ealing Studios loved the stories and felt it would be ideal to make a very funny comedy film set in Scotland. One funny story Nick tells us about is the time when an engineer ask Nick to go to Glasgow to get a fan belt, people kept asking Nick what car was it for, but said it was for a “Puffer” and eventually after an exhausted search, finally got to the last garage in the area and again explained the fan belt was for a “Puffer” and the man said, “Oh a “Puffer,” “I use to work on a “Puffer” and in fact I was the “Wee Boy” in ‘THE MAGGIE’ film” and at the time was a 30 year old person, but eventually after much searching at the back of the garage, found the right fan belt of the “Puffer” and of course the whole experience was a very happy one. When Nick went up to Scotland in 1978, he met a very nice gentleman in the pub called “The General” and if you plied him with loads of whiskey would tell really fascinating stories of what went on behind-the-scenes of the filming of ‘THE MAGGIE’ and they are really funny and if you want to find out what they are, you will have to purchase this Blu-ray disc. As we come to the end of this really lovely special feature, Nick Walker tells us that the “Puffer” in ‘THE MAGGIE’ film was donated to the “Puffer Preservation Trust” and if you want to know more information, then check out www.savethepuffer.co.uk and also if you want to know more information about trips on the “VIC 32” in Crinan Ferry Beach, which Nick Walker tells us you can either have a 5 day holiday on the “VIC 32,” or trips round the bay, which is £10.00 a time and because it is privately run, it needs as much funds as possible to keep the “Puffer” in good working order, as it is very expensive to maintain. Nick Walker also tells us that if you are in the area and just want a look round, you would be very welcome. And so ends a really lovely and fascinating special feature on this brilliant steam boat “Puffer.” You also get to see nice modern views of the “Puffers” in the harbour, as well as the refurbishment of the “VIC 32” and we also get lots of clips from the film ‘THE MAGGIE.’ This special feature was produced by Nick & Rachel Walker, of the Puffer Preservation Trust, and also filmed by filmmaker Michael Cuthbert.
Finally, ‘THE MAGGIE’ is a truly perfect post war British comedy film, and contains just about everything I love about this period in British film history making. Alexander Mackendrick's had a keen eye for framing his compositions in films that are both beautiful and practical. Just look at the way Pusey is framed when the cell door is slammed shut on him. The locations that the “Maggie” and her crew we get to view are those wonderful jaw dropping epic Scottish coastal landscapes that I really love, and Alexander Mackendrick being a Scot himself obviously feels the same way and he never lingers on them, they are just there in the background drifting by looking sublime, they are just there in the background drifting by looking sublime. The script is tight with the film itself coming in at just under 92 minutes, and the comedy is gentle and easy-going. Best of all though is the cast, who are just wonderful, from the smallest rolls up to that of the two main leads; everyone turns in a great performance. The Wee Boy [Tommy Kearins] has quite a bit of business, loads of lines and is an essential part of the script, and yet despite the fact that this was his first and only film, Tommy Kearins proves to be a real find, believable yet still childlike. There is almost a sub-genre of films set in rural Scotland pitting the wiley locals against some suit from the big smoke and I am thinking about another favourite film entitled ‘Local Hero,’ which is the closest film to ‘THE MAGGIE’ that I can think of where both films feature the fish out of water scenario character changing and learning that life doesn't have to travel at such a fast pace. In fact in both films that character even ends up wearing the costume of the locals. So much so that Pusey doesn't even recognise Calvin B. Marshall when he eventually catches up with him at the films conclusion, which is a very satisfying ending to this really wonderful warm hearted Ealing Studios comedy classic film and is a total joy to watch and will give you great pleasure and entertainment each time you view this wonderful black-and-white presentation. Highly Recommended!
Andrew C. Miller – Your Ultimate No.1 Aficionado
Le Cinema Paradiso
United Kingdom
