'Hobsons Choice' Part Two Trivia Quiz

Answer: Tubby Wadlow

Jack Howarth was born in Rochdale, Lancashire on 19th February, 1896 and plays foreman, Tubby Wadlow in 'Hobson's Choice', the same role he played four years earlier on 'BBC Sunday Night Theatre's' production of the same play. Tubby is the old retainer.

He doesn't have Will's skill as a bootmaker, but he takes his job seriously and when he is given his orders in the morning, he makes sure they are carried out. However, it is in the role of Uncle Albert Tatlock in 'Coronation Street' for which he became a household name.

He played the part in 109 episodes from 1960 to 1984 and saw so many changes take place on the famous cobbled street. For most of those years he lived with his nephew-by-marriage, Ken Barlow.

Answer: Oldfield Road

Oldfield Road in Salford is the location of Will and Maggies's first business. They rent a cellar for five shillings per week which serves as a living room, shop and workroom. This is a big step down from the more fashionable Chapel Street, where Hobson's shop was situated, but Maggie has numerous fliers printed to advertise their new location and suggests to Mrs Hepworth that she inform her friends of where to purchase well made boots.

Answer: A pair of bootlaces

On the morning after their wedding, they open the shop and await their first customer. An old lady walks in the door and asks for a pair of bootlaces for which they charged one penny. This sale gives Will the incentive to pick up his tools and carve out the leather now that his and Maggie's business has taken off.

Answer: A corn chandler

Mr Beenstock, of Beenstock and Son is a temperance man and watches with scorn at Henry Hobson's daily excursion to The Moonrakers. It is an act of defiance by Henry that causes his fall into the cellar. The cellar is surrounded by chains and Henry unhooks them to walk through. He doesn't know, however, that the cellar door has been left open and he lies in the corn below until noon the following day. The son of Beenstock and Son is Freddie, Vicky Hobson's young man.

Answer: A rat

After one particularly long hard night of drinking, possibly New Years Eve, Henry wakes up the next morning so hung over that he starts to see things. The first thing he sees is a swarm of insects, then a large rabbit sitting at the foot of his bed. He gets up to look at his tongue in the mirror, but sees not his own reflection, but that of his friend, Denton.

In Henry's own words Denton is 'the biggest old soak in Salford' and at this point Henry realises he is following the same path and a doctor is sent for.

Answer: John Laurie

John Laurie, as Dr. McFarlane, provides the voice of reason in Henry's life and his straight talking makes Henry sit up and think. He diagnoses chronic alcoholism and unless Henry changes his lifestyle he is only six months away from the grave. Scotsman John was a noted Shakespearean actor, but it was as the dour Pte. Frazer in 'Dad's Army' that he will be forever remembered. His catchphrase 'we're doomed' has gone down in catchphrase history.

Answer: Mossop and Hobson

When Will and Maggie decide to go into partnership with Henry and move from their own shop the only thing which needs to be sorted out is the name of the new business. Maggie rules out the phrase, 'late Hobson' and Will comes back with Mossop and Hobson. Maggie at first says no, it should be Hobson and Mossop, but Will insists on Mossop and Hobson or it is back to Oldfield Road for them. Maggie knows with this defiance of her authority that her education of Will is complete and she bows to her husband's decision.

A trip to Albert Prosser to put the partnership in writing ends the film.

Answer: Vicky

When Henry needs someone to come and look after him, all three girls come to offer their sympathy, but only Maggie is willing to move back. Vicky gives the excuse that she is expecting and has to think of her child. Maggie points out that they are all married women and it could happen to any of them. This makes no difference. Alice and Vicky are not for helping and leave the shop with stiff necks and bustles wagging.

Answer: David Lean

David Lean, born 25th March, 1908 in Croydon, Surrey is universally acknowledged as directing royalty. He has won two Oscars for, 'The Bridge on the River Kwai' in 1957 and 'Lawrence of Arabia' in 1962. 'Hobson's Choice' won the Golden Bear award at the 1954 Berlin Film Festival.

He also directed 'Ryan's Daughter' the film which gave John Mills his only acting Oscar as Michael the mute village idiot.

Answer: False

'Hobson's Choice' is made in black and white, which seems to add to the subject matter of the film. The grey Salford streets and the working class people contrast well with the colour and gaiety of Victorian London of the same time period. The film was made at Shepperton Studios and on location in Salford.