Mr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation (1962)

User Rating:

6.8/10   

Director:

Henry Koster

Writers:

Edward Streeter (novel)
Nunnally Johnson (screenplay)

Release Date:

15 June 1962 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Family

Tagline:

Jimmy Takes A Vacation... You Have All The Fun!

Plot:

Mr. Hobbs wants to spend a quiet holiday at the beach, but his wife has invited all their family to stay with them.

Plot Keywords:

Vacation | Beach | Husband Wife Relationship | Houseguest | House

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 3 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

James Stewart	...	Roger Hobbs
Maureen O'Hara	...	Peggy Hobbs
Fabian	...	Joe
John Saxon	...	Byron
Marie Wilson	...	Mrs. Emily Turner
Reginald Gardiner	...	Reggie McHugh
Lauri Peters	...	Katey Hobbs
Valerie Varda	...	Marika
Lili Gentle	...	Janie
John McGiver	...	Mr. Martin Turner
Natalie Trundy	...	Susan
Josh Peine	...	Stan
Minerva Urecal	...	Brenda, Hobbs' Maid
Michael Burns	...	Danny Hobbs
Richard Collier	...	Mr. Kagle

Runtime:

116 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

UK:U | USA:Approved (certificate #20189) | Finland:S | Sweden:Btl

Filming Locations:

Dana Point, California, USA

Company:

Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation

Trivia:

The portrait hanging along the staircase of the beach cottage is of Captain Daniel Gregg, played by Rex Harrison, from The Ghost and Mrs. Muir (1947).

Goofs:

Continuity: When the car approaches Hobbes and Turner during their bird watching expedition, they are walking in the middle of the road, effectively blocking traffic. In the next shot, the car has room to go around them.

Quotes:

Mrs. Emily Turner: Mr Hobbs, are you aware that...
[squeals with delight]
Mrs. Emily Turner: that I'm in the nude?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: Monster A-Go-Go (#5.21)" (1993)

Soundtrack:

Cream Puff

"Barnswallow!"

"Mr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation" is the best of the 60's Jimmy Stewarwt family father doesn't know best films, much more palatable than the creepy and antiquated "Take Her, She's Mine", where Jimmy worries more than is healthy about Sandra Dee's virginity and where insipid folk songs are considered raunchy and subversive. "Hobbs" will appeal to everyone, from Baby Boomers nostalgic about their childhood, to the greatest generation, who will enjoy Stewart and O'Hara as famous actors, and Gen X's and Y's, if they're hip enough, will appreciate how "cool" Jimmy is. For some inexplicable and annoying reason O'Hara calls her husband "Rog" in that Madison Avenue shorthand way, as though she were a W.A.S.P. executive telling him he's just been fired. Marie Wilson and John McGiver as the eccentric couple are priceless; their scenes with Stewart are hilarious. And for an unexpected poignant moment, the scene in the boat with Stewart and his son is lovely. After watching an eclipse, the son says they should watch the next one together in about 30 years. The expression on Stewart's face, with it's intimations of mortality, is just beautiful. Fabian of course is thrown in for the demographic, but can be tolerated, though I couldn't stand the actress who played the daughter Katey. I recommend "Hobbs" for inclusion in a Jimmy Stewart collection, if only for that boat scene.