Charles Laughton, John Mills, and Brenda de Banzie star in “Hobson’s Choice”

Hobson’s Choice (1954) is a British romantic comedy film directed by David Lean and starring Charles Laughton, John Mills, and Benda de Banzie. The film is based on the play of the same name written by Harold Brighouse. The film’s setting is 1880 Salford, England.

Henry Horatio Hobson (Laughton) is the proprietor of a somewhat fancy boot shop that he runs with his three daughters. Hobson is a widower who rules his business with an iron hand. He doesn’t even pay his daughter any wages. Not only do they work for him, but they keep house for him as well.

The eldest daughter, Maggie (de Banzie) has a real head for business and at 30 years old, she’s too old for marriage, according to her father. One of his main reasons for believing this is because she’s invaluable to his business. The two younger sisters are both keeping company with young professional men but their father is against paying marriage settlements.

Maggie decides that she wants to get out from under her father’s control so she sets her sights on Will Mossop, the most talented boot maker in the city. She convinces him that they should marry and start their own boot business. At first, Will is reluctant. However, Maggie sees potential in Will and she is determined to develop it. She tutors him in writing and advises him in the ways of business.

As a married couple, Maggie and Will have managed to turn their little startup into a very profitable business.

How will this all work out with Henry Hobson who has resented his daughter’s foray into the boot business in direct completion with him?

Brenda di Banzie and John Mills

Charles Laughton (1899 – 1962) had a long career on the stage and in Hollywood. He won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Henry VIII in The Private Life of Henry VIII (1933) and was nominated for two other Best Actor Oscars for his performances in Mutiny on the Bounty (1933) and Witness for the Prosecution (1957). His performance in The Suspect is considered one of Laughton’s most natural screen performances, which is credited to director Siodmak, a close personal friend of the actor.

John Mills (1908 - 2005) was an English actor who made over 100 films in the United States and in Great Britain. He won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Ryan’s Daughter (1970). Mills worked on the stage in London in the Noel Coward revue Words and Music (1932). He made his film debut in the U.K. in 1932 and appeared with Ida Lupino in The Ghost Camera (1933). He had a supporting role in Goodbye Mr. Chips (1939) starring Robert Donat. Mills starred as Pip in Great Expectations (1946) to great acclaim and popular box office. Mills continued acting into the 2000s.

Brenda de Banzie (1909 – 1981) was a British actress of stage and screen. American film audiences may remember her as Lucy Drayton in Alfred Hitchcock’s The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956), but she had many roles in British cinema. She costarred with Laurence Olivier as his wife in The Entertainer (1960). She starred with Olivier on Broadway in role she created, for which she was nominated for a Tony Award. Other film roles include The Mark (1961), and The Pink Panther (1963).

John Mills, Brenda di Banzie, and Charles Laughton

Hobson’s Choice trivia

• Charles Laughton played the role of Hobson on the stage as a teenager.
• Brenda de Banzie plays a 30-year-old in the film but was 44 at the time of filming.
• John Mills was only nine years younger than Charles Laughton and considered his role as  Will Mossop among his favorite film roles.

To watch the film on YouTube, click the link below.

 

To join the discussion on July 24, 2023, at 6:30 p.m. Central Time, click here. Once you RSVP, you will receive an invitation and a link to join the discussion on Zoom.

Discussion questions

1. What was your overall impression of the film?
2. Did you find the family relationships relatable?
3. Was the relationship between Will and Maggie believable?
4. Which role did you think was most critical to the success of the film?
5. Did anything about this film surprise you?