Winner of the British Academy for Best British Film, David Lean’s Hobson’s Choice is based on Harold Brighouse’s 1916 play of the same name.
Grade: B+
It stars Charles Laughton in the role of Victorian bootmaker Henry Hobson, John Mills as timid but highly talented employee Will Mossop, and Brenda de Banzie as Hobson’s eldest, fiercely determined daughter.
Charles Laughton plays Henry Horatio Hobson, the autocratic proprietor of an upmarket boot shop (boots, shoes and clogs) in 1880 Salford. A widower, Hobson is a notorious miser, raising three grown daughters: Maggie (Brenda de Banzie) and her younger and less-dedicated sisters, Alice and Vicky.
All three have worked in their father’s shop for years without wages. Alice and Vicky are eager to marry. Alice has been seeing Albert Prosser, a young up-and-coming solicitor, while Vicky prefers Freddy Beenstock, the son of corn merchant.
Hobson has no objection to losing Alice and Vicky, but Maggie is another matter. While mocking her (too old and shelved) to his drinking cronies at the local pub, he admits that she is too useful to lose.
Insulted, Maggie decides to marry Willie Mossop, the shop’s under-appreciated bootmaker, though he is too timid and has been bullied into an engagement to his landlady’s daughter.
Hobson attempts to intimidate Willie instead, by threatening to “beat the love out” of him with his belt. Willie declares he has no love for Maggie, but if Hobson strikes him, he will stick to her like glue. Hobson strikes him twice, and the couple walk out.
On New Year’s Day, Hobson suffers hallucinations, and Dr. MacFarlane diagnoses “chronic alcoholism.” Maggie summons Willie, Vicky and Alice to decide who will return home to look after their father; Vicky and Alice adamantly refuse to do so.
Hobson tries to get Maggie and Willie back on the old terms, but Willie demands 50-50 partnership, with his name first on the sign, and Hobson relegated to silent partner.
As a comedy of human foibles and follies, the movie benefited from the fully developed characters, and their funny and moving interactions, not to mention Laughton’s masterful, sly performance.
Critical and commercial Status:
The film won the Golden Bear at the 1954 Berlin Film Fest 1954, and British Film Academy Award Best British Film 1955,
Hobson’s Choice was one of the most popular at the British box office in 1954.
Cast
Charles Laughton as Henry Horatio Hobson
John Mills as Will Mossop
Brenda de Banzie as Maggie Hobson
Daphne Anderson as Alice Hobson
Prunella Scales as Vicky Hobson
Richard Wattis as Albert Prosser
Derek Blomfield as Freddy Beenstock
Helen Haye as Mrs. Hepworth
Joseph Tomelty as Jim Heeler
Julien Mitchell as Sam Minns, the publican
Gibb McLaughlin as Tudsbury
Philip Stainton as Denton
