Jack Howarth Movies
- 1970
A Lancashire lass refuses to eat the meal her mother has prepared for her. Her thick-eared father (James Mason) insists that she ingest every bite. This seemingly minor incident snowballs into big trouble for everyone concerned. Hard to believe, but this was based on a very popular stage play by Bill Naughton. The comic edge is blunted by the film's use of real Bolton locations, which tend to make the exaggerated passions and gesticulations of Mason and his family seem more pathetic than humorous. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- James Mason, Susan George, (more)
- 1957
The cast of the British-Irish comedy Professor Tim is well-stocked with members of Dublin's famed Abbey Players. The title character, played by Seamus Kavanaugh, is a likeable old rummy who returns to his hometown after several years' absence. Professor Tim immediately deduces that his sister, married to a wealthy farmer, is none too happy. He also figures out that his niece is on the verge of ruining her life by spurning her recently impoverished boyfriend. In short order, our puckish hero uses a bit o' the blarney to solve everyone's problems. Professor Tim is based on the play of the same name by George Shiel. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Maire Keane
A "Hobson's Choice," as any slang expert will tell you, is no choice at all. In this 1953 filmization of Harold Brighouse's 1915 play Hobson's Choice, hero John Mills finds after several reels of evidence to the contrary that he does have a choice over how he'll conduct his life after all. Mills is the assistant to domineering boot-shop owner Charles Laughton, who lords it over his employees and three daughters by day, then tumbles through the streets on many a drunken evening. Laughton's "old-maid" daughter Brenda DeBanzie breaks free of her father's tyranny, marries Mills, and together with her new husband sets up a rival boot shop when Laughton refuses her a dowry. Father rants and raves, but finally agrees to a merger with his daughter that will assure Mills a large measure of freedom over managing things. The winner of the British Film Institute "Best Film" award of 1954, Hobson's Choice chalked up another international success for director David Lean. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Charles Laughton, John Mills, (more)
- 1952
In this murder mystery, a woman's brother is killed in a freaky accident, or so she believes. Fortunately for her, an American journalist is more suspicious and so begins roaming the London streets in search of the killer. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1950
British actor Robert Donat's one-and-only film directorial effort was Cure for Love. Adapted from a popular stage play by Walter Greenwood, the film stars Donat as Jack, an army sergeant who returns home on leave. Having falling in love, Jack hopes that his hometown girl friend has forgotten his impulsive marriage proposal, but she hasn't. The film's comic complications arise from the fact that Jack, a war hero of conspicuous courage, turns into a quivering mass of jelly whenever dealing with affairs of the heart. The thick Lancashire dialect used by practically everyone in Cure for Love may be a bit difficult to comprehend for American audiences. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Donat, Renée Ashershon, (more)
