Charles Laughton - ’Moon in Puddle’ Scene - “Hobson’s Choice“ (1954)

In 1953, Charles Laughton returned to England, after a long movie career in America, to star in David Lean’s film of Harold Brighouse’s play “Hobson’s Choice“ in which he portrayed a widowed Victorian boot-maker with a fondness for alcohol. In this memorable scene, he staggers out of the local pub, much the worse for wear due to too much boozing. He sees the moon in a puddle and attempts to stamp it out but ends up falling down an open trap-door into a cellar. The orchestral accompaniment was composed by Malcolm Arnold and effectively features a musical saw! ... From the ’Criterion Collection’ DVD with all due acknowledgements. A Suite of Arnold’s music from the film has been recorded by the London Symphony Orchestra, conductor Richard Hickox, and from this, the closing bars of music at the end are heard (Chandos CHAN 9100).