Customer Reviews

Mr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation

5 star:		(49)
4 star:		(20)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

I am still amazed at the number of people who haven't seen this movie! Mr. Stewart even narrates, here and there, throughout the story, this wonderful tale of his summer vacation with his family at a rented beach house, along with the family maid. There is a running gag throughout the picture about the plumbing and the maid misunderstands the English language, and Mr. and Mrs. Hobbs try very hard to understand their adorable teen-age daughter (Lauri Peters) who falls in love with an adorable boy (played by none other than Fabian!), who shows up at the local dance and then there's a son who prefers to watch westerns on TV all day and night. There's a sexpot neighbor that lives in a nearby beach house who attempts to read War and Peace, and later the Hobb's daughters show up with the misbehaving grandchildren and want nothing to do with "Boompa", otherwise known as Mr.Hobbs! Don't miss the scene when Jimmy Stewart bird-watches with his son-in-in-law's boss and learns "the proper walk". The chemistry between Maureen O'Hara and James Stewart is so wonderful, it's no wonder they were so successful in several films together! She is so convincing as the jealous wife, especially when Jimmy innocently tries to help his son-in-law's boss's wife (Marie Wilson) while she is in the shower and runs into trouble........don't miss it, you'll laugh all the way through this marvelous movie. Let's hope Twentieth Century Fox soon gives us a widescreen DVD version with extras, like an interview with Maureen O'Hara & Lauri Peters!

I have seen this movie about ten times. Recently I recommended it to a friend who is going through a depression. It is guaranteed to bring one out of any doldrums. Why? Because it is soooo very
funny!

Scene after scene did in my funny bones. I laughed until my tummy ached. Marvelous are Stewart and O'Hara, but Marie Wilson(Remember "My Friend, Irma") and John McGiver are more than marvelous in their roles. They play a couple of 'supposed to be' tea totlers who are guests in the seaside, summer house rented by Mr. and Mrs. Hobbs played by Stewart and O'Hara. Wilson's steamy shower scene and McGiver's lessons in birdwatching are just about the funniest I have seen on screen in almost sixty years. I place this film with great comedies such as: "The Egg and I." and "As Good As It Gets" "Mr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation" IS as good as it ever gets.

I really like this movie. Stewart is perfectly cast, and his voice-overs masterful in providing the ironic commentary on the events as they unfold. The scenes between O'Hara and Stewart are flawless ("What did you tell him I had? Dementia Praecox?") -- you don't get to see sophisticated, funny, and warmly affectionate parents in movies lately, and watching them together is a pleasure. Not only are they real pros, but they are obviously having fun together. I just wish that we could have seem more of them as couple, and a lot less of the teenagers.

If you liked the movie you might enjoy the book, too. The tone is similar, but lots of details are different, and I found the humor a bit understated and the protagonist less likable than Stewart's character.

This is an enjoyable movie, with some very funny scenes and lines. One of my favorite lines takes place in the scene when Jimmy Stewart's shy daughter is at a dance, being the wallflower, and none of the boys ask her to dance. He asks Fabian to ask his daughter to dance (for a $5.00 fee). While they are dancing, Maureen O'Hara (his wife in the movie) asks "How did you find that boy?" and Jimmy Stewart answers "I yelled out 'Joe' to a group of boys. There is always at least one Joe in a group!"

"Mr. Hobbs Takes A Vacation" is one of the most enjoyable family films ever made. When it was released back in 1962, it was a big hit. But if you are a sophisticate, don't write it off just yet. The plot is simple: Harried St. Louis banker Roger Hobbs (James Stewart) is looking forward to a quiet, romantic vacation with his wife Peggy (Maureen O'Hara) who, unknown to him, has instead opted for a family reunion in a rented Northern California beach house. Not only has she included her teenage daughter Katie and younger son Danny but her married daughters and their families as well. The beach house turns out to be a monstrosity which Hobbs describes as "Dragonwyck". When their daughter Susan and her husband Stan show up with their bratty kids, things quickly get worse. The family is complete when daughter Jane and her husband Byron arrive with their infant daughter. By now, both Mr. and Mrs. Hobbs are somewhat disenchanted with this "family reunion" as Susan and her husband fight until he walks out on them, while Jane's husband takes up with the local bathing suit-clad vamp Manika. Daughter Katie meanwhile, grows more sullen by the day, sulking because of her new braces and brother Danny simply glues himself to the television set. Add an unhappy Finnish maid and you really have a recipe for disaster. But thanks to the delightful performance by Stewart, the laughs come thick and fast. His dry wit enlivens the film and almost single-handedly keeps it alive. And I mean alive because in spite of a capable cast including Fabian, John McGiver and Marie Wilson, the film belongs to Stewart. He does wonders with his hapless father role and keeps the audience in his corner every second. With the support of the eternally beautiful O'Hara (who's hardly anyones idea of a grandmother) and a memorable Henry Mancini score, "Mr. Hobbs" may depict a harrowing "vacation" but it's one the the viewer will thoroughly enjoy taking. The film has just been released on a beautiful widescreen DVD, with an original trailer and a few other extras. Bon Voyage! [phillindholm]

Most everyone will have memories of a vacation gone wrong. Usually, looking back with hindsight, we can see humorous events in the experience. Thankfully, in this film, we get to laugh at someone else's problems. The situations are tame by today's standards but that doesn't mean that they do not still work. They work mainly because Jimmy Stewart and Maureen O'Hara make them work.

The family is from St. Louis. They have two married daughters, a teenage daughter and a preteen son. Mom decides that instead of a romatic getaway vacation, they will rent a coast house in California and have a family reunion. Anyone who has ever had a vacation or a family can see trouble brewing.

Non of the problems is insoluble or even uncommon. The son spends too much time in front of the TV. The younger daughter has braces and is insecure. What's worse is that she becomes popular with the boys (after an initial bribe from Dad). One of the older daughters is married to a guy out of work and the other one is married to a pretentious would be philanderer. The neighbor is a goldigger and the plubming is in really bad shape. Its lots of fun and it is kind. That is something all too lacking in many modern films.

It's a winner.

I have loved watching this movie for years ! Being a person from the
"Baby Boomer" generation, I first saw it in the movies when it was playing in our town's local theater. Then watched it on cable TV and taped a copy to have all these years. I was so happy to find a DVD of it to keep in my video collection ! It is a fun and entertaining movie. I have ALWAYS loved Jimmy Stewart & Maureen O'Hara. This movie is humorous, fun and nostalgic to say the least. Make yourself some popcorn, sit down and take a trip back to simpler times for some good family entertainment ! :)

You can enjoy this with the kids and everyone. Good clean funny entertainment, that will make you laugh and remember a more innocent time.

This movie is fun and very entertaining!
It makes a great addition to my Jimmy Stewart collection.
The adventures and mishaps during a family vacation wouldn't be
complete without the occasional voice-over of Jimmy Stewart which
only adds to the laughter and enjoyment of the movie.
If you're a Jimmy Stewart fan, you'll love it!!!

Jimmy Stewart plays a great role as an all American Dad who wants to enjoy a vacation with is family. He is simply magic in this role and this could be the greatest comedic role he ever attempted. I Love IT!