What Is Up Goes Maisie About?
The premise of Up Goes Maisie in 292 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the bustling post‑war landscape of Los Angeles, ambition crackles as loudly as the engines in every garage. Maisie Ravier has just earned her business degree and, determined to prove herself beyond the glitter of the stage, she trades sequins for a modest office where she hopes her wit and work ethic will finally be taken seriously. The city hums with the promise of new inventions, and the sky itself seems ready for a fresh kind of hero.
Enter Joe Morton, an eccentric inventor whose latest creation—a sleek, easy‑to‑fly helicopter—promises to put the clouds within anyone’s reach. His workshop is a lively crucible of metal, schematics, and the occasional bout of good‑natured banter, and he quickly spots Maisie’s blend of cleverness and spunk. Their partnership begins as a professional arrangement, but the chemistry between them quickly suggests something more, setting the stage for a romance that feels as buoyant as the aircraft they’re building.
The film rides a breezy, high‑spirited tone, mixing slapstick moments with sharp dialogue as it follows these two unlikely collaborators navigating workplace politics, meddlesome suitors, and the occasional over‑enthusiastic patron. While Maisie strives to keep her focus on the job, a shadow of opportunistic crooks looms, eyeing the revolutionary ideas bubbling in Joe’s lab. Their presence adds a playful undercurrent of intrigue, hinting at the challenges our heroes must outwit without ever spoiling the light‑hearted adventure that lies ahead.
Up Goes Maisie captures the exhilaration of reaching for the heavens while staying firmly rooted in comedic charm. The film’s visual flair—glittering showgirl glamour juxtaposed with the gritty inventors’ workshop—creates a vivid tableau where every laugh, glance, and daring maneuver invites the audience to wonder just how high ambition, love, and a bit of sky‑cycle madness can truly soar.
What Happens in Up Goes Maisie?
The complete story of Up Goes Maisie, from the first scene to the last, in 556 words (about 2 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 8 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
Determined to better herself, Maisie Ravier graduates from the Benson Business School in Los Angeles, but has to fend off the advances of Mr. Benson. She encounters the same problem at her first few job interviews: what the male bosses are interested in is not her secretarial skills. So she dresses as dowdily as she can and gets hired by Joseph “Joe” Morton. He has invented a helicopter that is easy to fly, and received financial backing from Mr. J.G. Nuboult.
When he learns of her deception, Joe suspects Maisie is an industrial spy, but she convinces him she was merely trying to avoid amorous bosses. He is thrilled to learn that during World War II, she had a job helping assemble the very bombers he himself flew, and introduces her to his wartime crewmates Mitch O’Hara and Bill Stuart, and his college friend Tim Kingsby. Then he sets her to work not only in the office, but also at welding and other assembly tasks. Eventually, Maisie and Joe fall in love.
Meanwhile, Joe persuades Seattle tycoon Floyd Hendrickson to come to a demonstration flight at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. He will personally fly Hendrickson by aircraft to Los Angeles for this.
What Joe does not know is that Nuboult is scheming to steal his invention, assisted by Tim. After Maisie, now Joe’s fiancée, notices that they are being billed for twice the correct number of some parts and decides to check their records for other occurrences, Nuboult’s daughter Barbara Nuboult distracts her by inviting her to a Sunday social at an exclusive club, where she spikes Maisie’s drink. Maisie ends up diving into the pool with her clothes on, and Barbara makes sure this is reported as news. Feeling she would disgrace Joe, Maisie goes into hiding, but in fact Joe is distraught at her leaving. He and his men search desperately, contacting police and hiring a private detective.
While Joe is flying Hendrickson to the demonstration, the plotters set their plan into motion. They steal the prototype and substitute a partial copy, made with the duplicate parts Tim arranged for; then they burn down Joe’s workshop with their copy inside. Maisie happens to hear about the fire and rushes there. She becomes suspicious when Nuboult shows up with Joe’s canceled contract immediately after the fire is put out. When she cannot find in the wreckage the badges she welded to the helicopter for good luck, she guesses the truth.
Maisie, Mitch, and Bill find the real helicopter by following Tim. A fight breaks out when they try to get it back. Maisie is told to take the helicopter up. Having typed the manuals, she has learned enough to do it, and begins flying across Los Angeles. Worried by the tall buildings, she hovers just outside one and asks if there is a phone she can use. A startled cleaning woman passes one out to her, using the rope of a horizontal flagpole. She phones Joe at the Rose Bowl to ask for help. He begs her to land as soon as he can. But she manages to complete the flight to the Rose Bowl, where an impressed Hendrickson signs on to the project.
As Joe and Maisie kiss, the private detective returns to tell Joe he has located Maisie — in Kansas City.
Up Goes Maisie Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
11 key events in the order they happen, from “Graduation and first job offer” to “Resolution: kiss of success and a new lead”. 11 events name a place, across 6 locations.
- 1
Graduation and first job offer
Maisie Ravier graduates from Benson Business School in Los Angeles and faces unwanted advances from Mr. Benson. To land her first job, she dresses dowdily, a ruse that helps her secure an interview. She is hired by Joseph Morton, marking the start of a new professional path that blends office work with technical tasks.
When:Post-graduation Where:Los Angeles
- 2
Joe learns Maisie's deception but is won over
Joe initially suspects Maisie is an industrial spy after learning of her deception, but she convinces him she was trying to avoid amorous bosses. He assures her he will respect professional boundaries. He is thrilled to learn she helped assemble the very bombers he flew in World War II and introduces her to his wartime crew Mitch O'Hara, Bill Stuart, and his college friend Tim Kingby.
When:Early in their working relationship Where:Los Angeles
- 3
Maisie joins the team and they fall in love
Joe assigns Maisie to both office tasks and hands-on work in welding and aircraft assembly. She proves capable and becomes a valued member of the team, slowly earning Joe's trust. The professional bond between them deepens into a romantic connection.
When:Shortly after hiring Where:Los Angeles
- 4
Hendrickson's Rose Bowl demonstration flight arranged
Joe persuades Seattle tycoon Floyd Hendrickson to attend a demonstration flight at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. He plans to fly Hendrickson from Seattle to Los Angeles for the showcase, hoping the demonstration will secure critical backing. The event sets the stage for a pivotal aviation demonstration.
When:Before the demonstration Where:Rose Bowl, Pasadena
- 5
Nuboult and Tim plot to steal the invention
Behind the scenes, Nuboult schemes with Tim to steal Joe's invention. They plan to take the prototype and substitute it with a partial copy built from duplicate parts Tim arranged. The looming threat to the helicopter's future intensifies as the demonstration approaches.
When:Planning phase before demonstration Where:Los Angeles workshop
- 6
Maisie uncovers irregularities and is sabotaged
Maisie notices that parts are being billed twice and decides to audit the records. Nuboult's daughter Barbara distracts her with an invitation to a Sunday social at an exclusive club, where she spikes Maisie's drink. Maisie ends up in the pool with her clothes on, and the incident becomes sensational news that could jeopardize Joe and the project.
When:Days before the demonstration Where:Exclusive club; Los Angeles
- 7
Maisie goes into hiding as the search begins
Feeling she would disgrace Joe, Maisie retreats into hiding while Joe, his men, police, and a private detective search for her. The separation strains their relationship, leaving Joe distraught and determined to find her. The mystery surrounding the sabotage deepens as the investigation continues.
When:Immediately after the pool incident Where:Los Angeles
- 8
Theft and arson disrupt the plan
While Joe is flying Hendrickson toward the demonstration, Nuboult and Tim execute their plan to steal the prototype and substitute a partial copy. They also burn down Joe's workshop with the counterfeit inside, destroying crucial evidence and escalating the crisis. Maisie begins to suspect foul play as she pieces the clues together.
When:During Hendrickson's flight Where:Los Angeles; workshop and flight path
- 9
Maisie fights to recover the real helicopter
Maisie, Mitch, and Bill track Tim to recover the real helicopter. A tense confrontation ensues as they retrieve the craft, and Maisie uses her newly acquired knowledge and determination to help regain control of the situation. The fight underscores her growing capability as a pilot and leader.
When:After the theft and arson Where:Los Angeles
- 10
Climax: Maisie flies the recovered helicopter to the Rose Bowl
Having typed the manuals, Maisie musters the nerve to take the controls and fly across Los Angeles, dodging tall buildings and using ingenuity to stay ahead of danger. A friendly cleaning woman provides a rope-lowered phone to contact Joe, who begs her to land safely. She completes the perilous flight to the Rose Bowl, where Hendrickson is impressed and signs on to the project.
When:Climactic demonstration day Where:Los Angeles to Rose Bowl, Pasadena
- 11
Resolution: kiss of success and a new lead
Joe and Maisie share a kiss after the successful demonstration and the deal with Hendrickson appears secured. Just as the moment of triumph arrives, a private detective arrives to tell Joe that Maisie has been located—in Kansas City—adding a new twist to their story and leaving the door open for future adventures.
When:Immediately after the landing Where:Rose Bowl, Pasadena
Who Are the Main Characters in Up Goes Maisie?
8 characters, among them Maisie Ravier (Ann Sothern), Joseph Morton (George Murphy) and Floyd Hendrickson (Ray Collins): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
- MR
Maisie Ravier (Ann Sothern)
Played by Ann Sothern
Sharp-witted and determined, Maisie uses her street smarts to gain a foothold in a male-dominated workplace. She disguises herself to land a secretary job and proves herself capable in welding and assembly tasks. Her quick thinking helps uncover the plot to steal the helicopter and ultimately she pilots the prototype. Her resilience drives the story as she balances personal ambitions with loyalty to Joe.
- 💼 Ambition
- 🧠 Resourceful
- 🚁 Adventurous
- JM
Joseph Morton (George Murphy)
Played by George Murphy
An inventor-pilot who built the helicopter and initially trusts Maisie’s grit. He relies on his team and believes in his invention, while his relationship with Maisie adds emotional stakes to the project. He acts as a capable leader who values loyalty and skill, aiming to bring the technology to life.
- 💼 Entrepreneur
- 🛠️ Inventor
- ❤️ Romance
- FH
Floyd Hendrickson (Ray Collins)
Played by Ray Collins
A Seattle-based tycoon backing the venture, representing big-business support for wartime innovation. He is impressed by the helicopter project and later signs on to back it after the demonstration, highlighting the role of corporate capital in technological progress.
- 💰 Investor
- 🧭 Visionary
- 🤝 Patron
- BN
Barbara Nuboult (Barbara Nuboult)
Played by Hillary Brooke
Nuboult’s daughter, a socialite who uses parties and social connections to distract Maisie and aid the plot to steal the helicopter. Her actions reveal how personal vanity and social manipulation can intersect with a larger corporate theft scheme.
- 🎭 Socialite
- 🕵️ Schemer
- TK
Tim Kingsby (Stephen McNally)
Played by Stephen McNally
A college friend of Joe who becomes a conspirator, assisting in the plan to swap in duplicate parts and sabotage the prototype. He embodies a betrayal of trust within a circle of allies and complicates the fight to protect the invention.
- 🎭 Schemer
- 🧠 Opportunist
- MO
Mitch O'Hara (Murray Alper)
Played by Murray Alper
A wartime crewmate who sides with Joe and Maisie, contributing to the crew's loyalty and teamwork. He helps navigate the challenges of bringing the invention to life amid the threat of sabotage.
- 🧭 Teammate
- 🚁 Aviator
- 💼 Loyal
- BS
Bill Stuart (Lewis Howard)
Played by Lewis Howard
Another wartime ally who forms part of Joe’s inner circle, adding to the practical expertise and morale of the project. He supports the defense of the helicopter and the integrity of the demonstration.
- 🧭 Teammate
- 🚁 Pilot
- 💪 Loyal
- MJ
Mr. J.G. Nuboult (Paul Harvey)
Played by Paul Harvey
The scheming industrial magnate behind the plot to steal the helicopter prototype. He orchestrates distractions and manipulates contracts to facilitate the theft, representing corporate greed and deceit.
- 💼 Boss
- 🧭 Greedy
Where and When Is Up Goes Maisie Set?
Up Goes Maisie is set in Los Angeles, California, Pasadena and California (Rose Bowl) (1940s, World War II era). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
1940s, World War II era
The action unfolds in the 1940s, against the backdrop of World War II. Aviation manufacturing and wartime labor shape the characters’ lives, with Maisie’s prior work assembling bomber aircraft noted in the story. The plot intertwines industrial progress with personal risk as a groundbreaking helicopter is readied for a major demonstration.
Where
Los Angeles, California; Pasadena, California (Rose Bowl)
Set in Los Angeles with key scenes around the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, the film captures a mid-20th-century urban landscape. The city serves as a backdrop for wartime production, improvisation, and high-stakes technological innovation. The Rose Bowl demonstration ties the story to a real, iconic venue that symbolizes prestige and public spectacle.
- 🎬 City setting
- 🏙️ Cityscape
- 🚁 Aviation
- 💼 Business
What Are the Themes of Up Goes Maisie?
4 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Romance, Industrial Espionage and Flight.
-
01
Romance
Maisie and Joe's relationship provides personal stakes to the invention's fate. Their bond grows from initial deception to trust as they navigate professional and romantic tensions. The romance is tested by Nuboult's plot, yet ultimately strengthens as they work together to save the project. The ending celebrates mutual support and partnership.
-
02
Industrial Espionage
Nuboult and Tim scheme to steal the helicopter prototype, exploiting wartime demand for new tech. Fake parts, a burned workshop, and a staged contract attempt to frame Maisie fuel the conspiracy. The clues Maisie uncovers reveal the truth and empower her to reclaim the invention. The theme highlights the fragility of innovation under corporate greed.
-
03
Flight
Maisie's piloting of the helicopter becomes a symbol of ingenuity and courage. The LA-to-Rose Bowl sequence showcases skill, composure, and a breakthrough moment for the project. The aviation thread ties personal growth to technological progress and industry support. The final flight cement the project's legitimacy.
-
04
Mystery
Behind the public success, a private investigator pursues Maisie, adding danger and suspense. The theft, missing badges, and concealed agendas create a puzzle that must be solved to save the invention. Maisie's wit and resolve drive the investigation forward. The mystery intertwines with romance and business.
What Kind of Film Is Up Goes Maisie?
Light in tone, with fast pacing and a straightforward story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Light
- Pacing
- Fast
- Story
- Straightforward
- Intensity
- Medium
- Ending
- Happy
A fast-paced and breezy romantic comedy filled with slapstick humor, mistaken identities, and a plucky heroine's high-flying adventure, resulting in an overall lighthearted and feel-good experience.
- humorous
- breezy
- whimsical
- romantic
- energetic
- playful
- romantic comedy
- workplace romance
- industrial espionage
- female protagonist
Content notes: drugging.
Quiz
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