Rent Hobson's Choice (1954)

One Of The Greatest of British Comedies - Hobson's Choice review by GI

Henry Hobson owns a respected Bootmakers shop in Salford in the 1880s and uses his three daughters to run the shop and look after him. He tries to constantly assert his authority over them and finds his only solace is in the local pub. When his trusted oldest daughter Maggie announces she's leaving to set up on her own with Henry's highly skilled boot hand, Will Mossop, Henry is less than pleased. This is one of the greatest of British comedies, it's a real classic and absolutely hilarious. David Lean directs this lovely comedy of manners and really recreates a very realistic nineteenth century northern England at the heart of the Industrial Revolution. Better known for his big epics it's great to see one of his more intimate films that are often forgotten. Charles Laughton is the centre of the film as the patriarch Henry who is losing control of his world and his performance as a drunk has never been bettered. When you add in the great John Mills and a host of British character actors you have a little gem of a film and one that deserves a modern audience.

Excellent play, excellent film, excellent British acting, excellent British humour - Hobson's Choice review by RP

Based on a play by Harold Brighouse, this is not only an excellent stage play (I saw a revival at Birmingham Rep some years ago) but also an excellent film, combining a moral message with British humour.

Widower Henry Hobson is a successful bootmaker in 1880s Salford. He has three daughters but is a little stingy with his money (other than in spending rather too much on drink in the 'Moonrakers Arms') and forbids them to get married to avoid paying marriage settlements. He regards his oldest daughter Maggie, an astute businesswoman in her own right, as being on the shelf at age 30. But Maggie has her own plans and sets her sights on Will Mossop, Hobson's talented bootmaker, bosses him, educates him, weds him, and sets up in business with him. In a year they have become more successful than Hobson, and return to take over his shop.

Acted with much humour by a broad range of British talent, I enjoyed this very much. Apart from the well known leading men Charles Laughton and John Mills, in these older films I like looking out for small parts played by others who later became famous. There is a young Prunella Scales, later best known as Basil's dragon of a wife in 'Fawlty Towers' and also John Laurie, later best known as Private Frazer in 'Dad's Army'.

Great stuff - 5/5 stars.

A David Lean comedy is a rare & wonderful thing! - Hobson's Choice review by DW

Every moment of this nice long film is a joy to behold. Sure, it's old, not in colour & the story line is whimsical. So what, it's still a fine example of the best of British films.

I'm pretty sure I first saw it as a young boy when it came to my local picture house in Birmingham. Second time around, the thing I noticed most was how full the sets were; the external shots are very "busy" & include lots of authentic signage but all of the internal scenes are a fascinating image of sets with vast numbers of furnishings, tools, stock & ornaments. The scene setters really knew what they were doing.

Some modern day commentators have said that this was not a happy band of actors but they weren't there so how would they know. Either way, it didn't stop all the actors putting in outstanding performances. Older fans of "Coronation Street" would be pleased to see old misery guts Albert Tatlock doing his stuff as one of the shoemakers.

I hope you enjoy this lovely film as much as I did.