"HOBSON'S CHOICE."

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21141, 26 March 1932, Page 11

"HOBSON'S CHOICE."

ENGLISH COMEDY AT REGENT. Quaint humour and shrewd satire characterise " Hobson's Choice, the j wholly delightful English comedy of ! domestic strife, to begin a season at the : Regent Theatre to-day. From the very j opening scene the film is enlivened with deliciously subtle humour which makes it j one of tho most thoroughly entertaining j comedies that Elstree has given the screen, j It follows hard upon the heels of " My i Wife's Family " and " Love Lies." The unfortunate Mr. Hobson of this story is a crabby businessman completely j over-ridden by his domineering daughters, one of whom defies him even to the extent of marrying one of his most efficient employees and persuading him to set up in business opposition to ihe downtrodden old man. Ihe harassed father next attempts to prevent the marriages of the remaining two girls, but the interference of the termagant Maggie soon convinces him of the hopelessness of his endeavours. Finally, in desperation, Mr. Hobson takes his former employee and present son-in-law into partnership with him, and so temporarily stills the domineering Maggie's tongue. Both the imaginative direction of the director, Mr. Thomas Bentley, and the characterisations are excellent throughout. Each study is a minor masterpiece of its sort. Viola Lyel is suitably vitriolic as the quarrelsome eldest daughter. An air of complete, albeit reluctant, submission to the three girls is admirably conveyed by James Harcourt as the forlorn Hobson, and the acting of tho other players is uniformly good. There are I' rank Pettingell, who is just the typo of actor for the role of the timorous lover, but skilled craftsman; and Belle Crystal and Joan Maude, outwardly charming as the two younger daughters—seemingly less vindictive than the eldest sister, but no less cictern inel to have their own way. Merited praise has been accorded "Hobson's Choice " by overseas critics, one of whom says: "This delightful cortiedv is w< rked out with many a touch of penetrating humour that will win over most aiul. : ence? in a few moments. Add to this really capable acting and you have a charming comedy as English as you may wish for, and entertaining into the bargain." Another reviewer comments: " This film must bo chalked up one of tho most delightfully entertaining comedies to come forward in many a month. The humour is characterised by a buoyant effervescence which sparkles with rare brilliance. _ Anybody who doesn't curl up with joyous convulsion frequently through tho picture is glum beyond redemption."