Hobson's choice

:This article is about a stage play. "Hobson's Choice" is also the title under which Robert J. Sawyer's story The Terminal Experiment was serialized in Analog magazine.

Related Topics:
Robert J. Sawyer - The Terminal Experiment - Analog magazine

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Hobson's Choice is a play by Harold Brighouse, the title coming from the popular expression, Hobson's choice — meaning no choice at all.

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Harold Brighouse - Hobson's choice

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The story, set in Salford in the 19th century, concerns Willie Mossop, a shoemaker employed in the shop owned by the drunken and dominating Henry Horatio Hobson. With very limited horizons, and only semi-literate, he is persuaded by Maggie, Hobson's eldest daughter, to marry her and set up in business on his own. Utilising her sales skills and his shoemaking skills, the enterprise is successful and takes nearly all Hobson's trade. At Maggie's urging, Mossop goes into partnership with Hobson, now an almost-bankrupt alcoholic, on condition that Hobson takes no part in the business.

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The play has been filmed several times, originally in 1920 as a silent film with Joan Ritz as Maggie and Arthur Pitt as her father. It was filmed again in 1931, with James Harcourt as Hobson and Viola Lyel as Maggie.

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1920 - Joan Ritz - Arthur Pitt - 1931 - James Harcourt - Viola Lyel

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The best-known film version is that of 1954 directed by David Lean. It starred Charles Laughton as Hobson and Brenda de Banzie as Maggie. John Mills played Will Mossop, Maggie's suitor, and Prunella Scales made her second film appearance as Vicky Hobson.

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1954 - David Lean - Charles Laughton - Brenda de Banzie - John Mills - Prunella Scales

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It was adapted for the American audience in the 1983 TV version. It was set in 1914 New Orleans starring Jack Warden as Hobson and Sharon Gless as Maggie. The 1966 Broadway play Walking Happy tells the original story.

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1983 - Jack Warden - Sharon Gless - 1966 - Broadway - Walking Happy

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