Hobson's Choice

Hobson's Choice - 1954 | 107mins | Drama, Comedy | B&W

The Production Team

Director: David Lean.
Producer: David Lean.
Associate Producer: Norman Spencer.
Script: David Lean, Norman Spencer and Wynyard Browne. (based on a play by Harold Brighouse)
Cinematography: Jack Hildyard.
Editing: Peter Taylor.
Art Direction: Wilfred Shingleton.
Costume Design: John Armstrong.
Make-Up Dept: George Partleton and Tony Sforzini.
Sound: Buster Ambler, John Cox and Red Law.
Original Music: Malcolm Arnold.
Music Direction: Muir Mathieson.

The Cast

Charles Laughton - Henry Horatio Hobson
Brenda De Banzie - Maggie Hobson
John Mills - Willie Mossop
Daphne Anderson - Alice Hobson
Prunella Scales - Vicky Hobson
Richard Wattis - Albert Prosser
Derek Blomfield - Freddy Beenstock
Helen Haye - Mrs. Hepworth
Gibb McLaughlin - Tudsbury
Philip Stainton - Denton
Julien Mitchell - Sam Minns
Joseph Tomelty - Jim Heeler
John Laurie - Dr. MacFarlane
Raymond Huntley - Nathaniel Beenstock

Plot Synopsis

David Lean’s film adaptation of Harold Brighouse's 1915 play Hobson's Choice. Set in Salford, Manchester during Victorian times, the film tells the story of obstinate boot-shop owner Henry Hobson (Charles Laughton). Hobson dominates both his employees and his three daughters, only bothering to enquire about his meals before heading to the local public house for ale. His eldest daughter Maggie (Brenda De Banzie), becomes tired of his oafish behaviour and decides to rebel by seeking a husband. Much to the hilarity and consternation of her father, aged spinster Maggie sets her sights on shy Will Mossop (John Mills), Hobson's master boot-maker. Mossop is at first stunned by the suggestion, but eventually agrees to Maggies authoritative persuasion, and together they set up a rival boot shop. Maggie marries Will, then decides to free her two sisters from their fathers tyrannical grip, and allow them to take husbands of their own choosing. Hobson’s health deteriorates and his business begins to decline without his accomplished boot-maker, Hobson is finally compelled to agree a merger with his daughter and Will.