Fly away Paul

Paul Morison, an American engineer, stows away on an ocean liner bound for Southampton for a bet. He is discovered but, before being turned over to the police, is befriended by Peter Gabriel, a famous crooner, whom he turns out to resemble closely. The singer wants Paul to take his place for one week of celebrity appearances in the care of his secretary Mr Simpkins, ostensibly so that Gabriel can take a private holiday.

After a few days Paul goes out on his own and runs into Margaret Sinclair who is Peter Gabriel's fiancée. Rather implausibly she does not see through the impersonation. Now the newspapers publish revelations about Peter Gabriel being a swindler. Paul wants to get away and resume his normal identity. He leaves a note for Simpkins, and catches a bus to Leicester. Margaret intercepts the note and follows him by car. The bus passengers have seen the morning paper and suspect Paul of being the absconding crooner. He threatens the driver by pretending to have a revolver, and when this doesn't work runs away. He is picked up by Margaret in her car, but gives her the slip. In Leicester he meets a man who recognises him and pursues him for the reward money. Paul goes to the theatre and escapes from the police by stealing an oriental costume from one of the performers. He takes Margaret's car, but runs out of petrol. He flags down a passing motor-cyclist, Bert Clements, who goes swimming with him and saves him from the pursuing Mr Wimpole, though not from the embarrassment of being caught by Margaret with no clothes on. There are several more plot twists before a far-fetched climax on a Scottish island.