Annabelle Bush
This is one of the finest examples of British Cinema from the last century, and is David Lean's "Lancashire My Fair Lady"Henry Hobson runs an established shoe shop, yet he spends most of his time in the local public house - The Moonraker. His three unmarried daughters are the bane of his existence, and he treats his eldest daughter - Maggie - as a shop keeper, cook and housekeeper. He constantly taunts her that her role running the shop is secure as she is just an old spinster. What Hobson doesn't see is how much of his own brains and stubbornness Maggie actually has - and she sets out to beat him at his own game, and create a happy marriage for herselfin the process.
Charles Laughton takes top billing for the title role, and his comedic timing is legendary. However, the best acting of the entire film comes from John Mills, and his transformation from Willy the "Boot'and" to the successful proprietor of the best shoe shop in Salford is wonderful to behold. Indeed, when he hears Maggie stand up to his landlady and her daughter, you can see his spine straighten up, his shoulders go back and his head is held higher as the purpose and potential that Maggie sees in him becomes real for the very first time.A quintessentially British film, it has the perfect blend of comedy and drama, and a wonderful way to spend any afternoon.
If you have never seen it, please give it a go - you won't regret it, for the witty dialogue alone makes this film my favourite from David Lean.
