"Hobson's Choice" Part One Trivia Quiz

Answer: Charles Laughton

Charles Laughton was born on 1st July 1899 in Scarborough, England, but became an American citizen in 1950. It was four years later that he was back in England to make 'Hobson's Choice', a role he seemed born to play. He died of cancer of the gall bladder in 1962, survived by his wife of 33 years, Elsa Lanchester.

Answer: A boot-makers

The film opens with the sign outside Hobson's shop; a full length boot, blowing and squeaking in the wind. Henry runs a successful business, but takes on a silent role, preferring to leave the running of the business and his household in the hands of his three daughters.

Answer: Maggie, Alice and Vicky

The eldest daughter, Maggie, is a very strong, young woman, whom her father refers to as, '30 and shelved' and 'old ancient leather'. She is very hard working and will use this quality to achieve her ambitions. Her younger sisters are fashionable and flirty and only have their minds set on marrying well and becoming mistresses of their own households.

Answer: Salford

The film is set in 1880's Salford. Salford is now a metropolitan borough of Greater Manchester, but at the time of the film it formed part of Lancashire and became a major factory town, following the Industrial Revolution, when Salford Qauys became a principal dockyard of the Manchester Ship Canal.

This prime location allowed for the development of many major industries, such as textiles. One of Salford's most famous names is L. S. Lowry who attended Salford School of Art. Today the art gallery which bears his name is one of Salford's main tourist attractions.

Answer: Sir John Mills

Sir John Mills, born in Denham, Buckinghamshire on 23rd April, 2005 plays the character of Will Mossop to perfection. Throughout the film Will is transported from a shy, uneducated, almost illiterate man, to a confident business man, following his marriage to Hobson's elder daughter, Maggie.

He was nominated for a BAFTA for his performance, but lost out to Kenneth More, who won for 'Doctor in the House'.

Answer: The Moonrakers Inn

The Moonrakers, run by publican Sam Minns, provides the hub of life for Henry Hobson and his friends. They consist of Denton, Tudsbury and grocer Jim Heeler, who follows Henry around like a puppy, generously accepting any free drinks which come his way from his friends' pockets.

The topic of conversation is usually the 'fools of women' which plague Henry in his household and how he could best rid himself of them, except Maggie who is 'too useful in t'shop'. However, when the question of marriage settlements came up, Henry quickly goes off the idea.

Answer: Ada Figgins

Ada Figgins, 'the sandy haired girl' who brings Will his lunch, is the daughter of the woman Will lodges with. Being tokened indicates that they have an understanding, which would lead to a future marriage. Ada's mother is strong scary woman, who Will would never say no to, but Maggie informs the mother and daughter pair that she is to marry Will and takes him away that very night, but not before Mrs Figgins hits Will around the head with a fireside shovel.

Answer: Peel Park

Peel Park in Salford was opened on 22nd August 1946 and was a place where respectable young couples could be seen out together in public. Will meets Maggie from church and carries her bible as a sign of their relationship. Also in the park that same day is Maggie's sister Alice and her young man, Albert Prosser. Peel Park has featured in a number of L S Lowry's paintings and sketches.

Answer: A lawyer

Albert is a lawyer with the firm of Prosser, Pilkington and Prosser and like Vicky's young man he is courting his Hobson sister in secret. On one occasion he is caught by Henry Hobson in the shop and Maggie's quick thinking turns him from illicit caller into shop customer.

However, instead of selling him a pair of bootlaces, which he asks for, she sells him a pair of boots. Albert is size 8 - he has, in his words 'small feet'.

Answer: Mrs Hepworth

Mrs Hepworth is one of Hobson's high class customers and insists on meeting the very workman who makes her boots, because, if he ever changes his employment, she wants to be informed to follow along with him. When Will and Maggie decide to set up on their own, they need capital and ask Mrs Hepworth for a loan of £100.00 which they agree to pay back within one year with 20% interest.

She loans them the money and a partnership is born and, as promised, the sum is paid back, with interest, within the year. Mrs Hepworth, as part of Henry Hobson's high class trade, lives in a very weathly part of Manchester, but what she puts on her feet is important. That is why she insists Will makes all her footwear and also those of her daughters.