HOBSON'S CHOICE

UK, 1953, 107 minutes, Black and white.
Charles Laughton, Brenda de Banzie, John Mills, Richard Wattis, Helen Haye, Daphne Anderson, Prunella Scales.
Directed by David Lean.

Hobson's Choice is the third film version of a famous working-class comedy by Harold Brighouse. This is a David Lean film. Lean had made great impact with his wartime film with Noel Coward, In Which We Serve. His versions of Coward's plays This Happy Breed, Blithe Spirit, Brief Encounter were very well received as were his adaptations of Oliver Twist and Great Expectations. Other successes included Breaking the Sound Barrier, Summertime. From the mid-'50s he made only four spectacular films: Bridge on the River Kwai. Lawrence of Arabia, Dr. Zhivago, Ryan's Daughter. The first two of these won Oscars and he won Oscars for Best Director.

This is a very good example of British film-making - studio work, excellent cast and supporting cast with an eye to detail and enjoyably eccentric characterisation. Charles Laughton is very effective in the central role - partly sympathetic, partly repellent. Brenda de Banzie as Maggie gives the best performance of her career. They are both excellently matched by John Mills as Willie, who changes from ignorant boot maker below stairs to his own man. (Mills was to win his Oscar for his performance in Lean's Ryan's Daughter). There is excellent photography, an orchestrated score by Malcolm Arnold and altogether the film is interesting and enjoyable - if dated.

1. The status of the film as an English classic? The reputation of the original play? Previous film versions? The period of the late 19th century, England, Lancashire? The work of David Lean, the quality of his cast? Production values?

2. The re-creation of period, decor, Salford city streets. homes, shops. hotels? Black and white photography? Editing and pace? Special effects, especially for Hobson's illusions when drunk? The score and its orchestrations - and whimsical comment on characters and actions?

3. The play's structure and dialogue and its adaptation for the screen? The retaining of acts and scenes? The strength of the character delineation? Quality of the dialogue? Impact and strength?

4. The portrait of English society: Salford, work, high class customers, the law, merchants, temperance movements? The city and its crowded appearance, shops, slums, the city parks etc.? The use of these locations for the action and atmosphere?

5. Hobson and the introduction as he returned home drunk, his manners and the comedy of his return. the encounter with Maggie and his abuse of her? His flopping into bed. rising to start the day and going to the inn? His friends and their sitting and drinking? Their mockery of others? And the irony of Hobson's later abuse of all of them and the accuracy of his criticisms? His clashes with his daughters and wanting to get them married? His memories of his wife? His meanness with money? His reliance on Maggie running things? His antagonism towards Will and eventually strapping him? His response to Maggie's walking out and ridiculing her at the inn? His daughters and their busyness and the cold tongue meal and his anger? His insistence on his rights and respect? His drinking and his hallucinations with the moon, jumping in the puddles, the comedy routines with the manhole and his falling in? The irony of his waking up at midday and the document about trespassing? His reaction to Maggie's marriage? His coming after dark? The discussion of the trial and his antagonism towards the law? Maggie's manoeuvring him into a position? Getting money from him? Making him approve the marriages? The shop failing? The DTs and his hallucinations? The doctor and his scolding him? The images of King Lear and his daughters not wanting to help? Their excuses? The irony of Maggie helping him? The confrontation with Willie and the dispute about the name of the firm, the partnership? A possible future with the three of them living together? Charles Laughton's appearance?

6. Brenda de Banzie's performance as Maggie: appearance, strength, relationship with her father, managing him, the shop and the house, her age, appearance? Destined to be a spinster - and the mockery of Hobson's friends at the inn? Her ability in the shop and selling the shoes to Mr. Prosser? Her response to Mrs. Epworth? Her control of her sisters? Her admiration for Willie, the idea of the marriage and her freedom? The vigorous ways of discussion, her proposal, arguments? Her both controlling and affirming Willie? making him visit Ada and telling off her mother? Defying her father, especially when he strapped Willie? Getting the money from Mrs Epworth, finding the site for the shop, cleaning it out, the buying of the leather? Her faith in herself and in Willie? The invitation of her sisters to the wedding and her insisting that they kiss their brother- in-law? The happiness of the marriage - and her insistence that Willie mean it? The dinner and the enjoyment, Willie's speech? Her teaching him? Her father's visit and her control of the discussion? The marriage night and its tenderness, especially in the morning? The selling of the bootlaces and the success of the shop? Willie paying back Mrs Epworth and her disappointment at not being in on it? The happy new year? Her being called by the doctor, her strength with her father in his illness, the arrangement for the daughters to forfeit their rights, her discussion with her father, clashing with Willie over the name of the firm? Submitting to him? A strong character, like her father? Emotion and strength? Faith in herself? Her love for Willie, affirming and making him?

7. John Mills as Willie - his work and having no idea of promotion? Mrs. Epworth's praise? His not being able to read? His fear of Hobson? His amazement at Maggie's proposal, his phrase "By gum" and its frequent use, even to the ending? His reaction to Maggie’s plan, seeing the difficulties, talking about love? His walking out with her and being seen? Courting? The clash with Ada and her mother? His marrying her and meaning it - especially after being strapped by Hobson? His speech at the wedding, relationship with his sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law? The lesson? The long undressing sequence and his timidity, the tenderness of the morning after? Starting in the shop, paying back the money? His final achievement, self-confidence and plans for expansion? The argument about the name of the firm? The quality of Mills' performance and characterisation? Showing the transition in Willie's character?

8. The sketch of the daughters - their feminine style, fuss? Inability to cope with the shop and housework, the cold tongue meal? Their courting? Their snobbery? Maggie's providing for their marriages? Their inability to help their father? Their husbands and their work - law, merchandise and trading? The temperance campaigner and’ his disapproval of Hobson?

9. Hobson's friends in the hotel - their work, drinking, talking? The truth told about them by Hobson in his drink?

10. A blend of visual and verbal comedy? Character interaction and control? Audience enjoyment of the psychological interplay of characters? The insight into human nature? The significance of the title?