Mr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation

The apparently light-hearted comedy, Mr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation (1962), reveals an intriguing darker side in its tale of a family get-together gone awry. Little kids are monstrous, older kids suffer from self-esteem problems, grown-up kids have marital difficulties of distressingly diverse natures—and all are presided over by a decidedly grumpy (if great) James Stewart, waging the familial wars with a more idealistic helpmate (Maureen O’Hara) at his side. Directed and written by a pair of Hollywood veterans (Henry Koster and Nunnally Johnson, respectively), this quirky film features a standout score by the superb Henry Mancini, available on this Twilight Time release as an isolated track.