The Boatswain's Mate

The Boatswain’s Mate, which appeared in WW Jacobs’ 1905 short story collection ‘Captains All’, tells of an ex-boatswain (Johnny Butt) who is eager to win the hand of the local pub landlady. He bribes an ex-soldier to stage a house-breaking, so that he can win her in a heroic last-minute rescue. The plan begins to unravel when the ‘burglar’ (Victor McLaglen) and his victim (Florence Turner) are instantly smitten. It’s the feisty shotgun-wielding landlady, who triumphantly puts the boatswain in his place. BFI

• Comedy

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