Hobson’s Choice

Hobson’s Choice (1954) starring Charles Laughton, Brenda de Banzie, John Mills

Hobson’s Choice is a very enjoyable comedy. A successful businessman and widower doesn’t want his daughters to marry …. Since he would have to pay their dowry. But the oldest daughter is both intelligent and determined …

Review of Hobson’s Choice

Hobson’s Choice is a delightful comedy for several reasons, not the least of which is the excellent acting. Charles Laughton plays Hobson, the grumpy, controlling father. Hobson is a successful businessman who thinks a little more highly of himself than he should. And more of his drink than of his daughters. Another delight is Brenda De Banzie as the oldest daughter. Maggie Hobson is a very intelligent woman, a forceful character. She is not the breathless beauty that would likely be cast today. She isn’t ugly, but she isn’t beautiful. Maggie starts romancing one of her father’s employees. John Mills plays William Mossop an uneducated man whose potential Maggie alone sees. She is sure of his ability and potential, but not of her own. It’s a touching romance. On their wedding day, Maggie is pleasantly surprised to find out that William truly loves her.

It’s due to the oldest daughter’s foresight and planning that her two sisters can also marry the men they love. Maggie’s schooling of her illiterate husband — delightfully shy on his wedding day. He begins to gain confidence with time and success — which leads to her rescuing of her father’s business, as he’s on the verge of drinking himself into the grave.

Product description of Hobson’s Choice courtesy of Amazon.com

An unsung comic triumph from David Lean, Hobson’s Choice stars the legendary Charles Laughton as the harrumphing Henry Hobson, the owner of a boot shop in late-Victorian Northern England. With his haughty, independent daughter Maggie (Brenda De Banzie) decides to forge her own path, romantically and professionally, with the help of none other than Henry’s prized bootsmith Will (a splendid John Mills), father and daughter find themselves head-to-head in a fiery match of wills. Equally charming and caustic, Hobson’s Choice, adapted from Harold Brighouse’s famous play, is filled to the brim with great performances and elegant, inventive camera work.

Cast of characters

• Charles Laughton (Witness for the Prosecution) … Henry Hobson
• John Mills (Swiss Family Robinson) … William Mossop
• Brenda de Banzie (The Pink Panther) … Maggie Hobson
• Daphne Anderson … Alice Hobson
• Prunella Scales (The Boys from Brazil) … Vicky Hobson
• Richard Wattis … Albert Prosser