Of Human Bondage (1934)

Director:

John Cromwell

Writers:

W. Somerset Maugham (novel)
Lester Cohen (screenplay)

Release Date:

20 July 1934 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Tagline:

The Love That Lifted a Man to Paradise......and Hurled Him Back to Earth Again

Plot:

Abandoning artistic ambitions, sensitive and club-footed Philip Carey enrolls in medical school and...

Plot Keywords:

Baby | Waitress | Inheritance | Medical Student | Betrayal

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar.

Cast

Leslie Howard	...	Philip Carey
Bette Davis	...	Mildred Rogers
Frances Dee	...	Sally Athelny
Kay Johnson	...	Norah
Reginald Denny	...	Harry Griffiths
Alan Hale	...	Emil Miller
Reginald Sheffield	...	Cyril Dunsford
Reginald Owen	...	Thorpe Athelny
Desmond Roberts	...	Dr. Jacobs
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Charles Coleman	...	(scenes deleted)
Frank Mills	...	Chimneysweep (scenes deleted)
Pat Somerset	...	(scenes deleted)

Runtime:

83 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Victor System)

Certification:

Canada:PG (Ontario) | Australia:PG | USA:Approved (PCA #53)

Filming Locations:

London, England, UK

Company:

RKO Radio Pictures

Trivia:

Bette Davis fully expected to be nominated for an Oscar for this, her breakthrough performance in films. When she was denied an official nomination, there was an attempt to make her a "write-in" candidate, a practice now barred by the Academy.

Quotes:

Mildred Rogers: [after having her baby] Funny looking little thing, isn't it? I can't believe it's mine.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The Practice: Of Human Bondage (#3.14)" (1999)

Soundtrack:

Hesitation Blues

Contempt

Of the three remakes on W. Somerset Maughan's novel, this one is the best one, and not particularly because what John Cromwell brought to the film. The film is worth a look because of the break through performance by Bette Davis, who as Mildred Rogers, showed the film industry she was a star. Finally, her struggles with Jack Warner and his studio paid off royally.

The film is dominated by Mildred from the start. We realize from the beginning that Mildred doesn't care for Philip and never will. She doesn't hide her contempt for this kind soul that has fallen in love with the wrong woman. He will be humiliated by Mildred again, and again, as she makes no bones about what she really is.

Poor Philip Carey, besides of being handicap, is a man who is weak. When he tries to cling onto Mildred, she rejects him. It is when Mildred returns to him, when she is frail and defeated, that he rises to the occasion, overcoming his own dependency on this terrible woman who has stolen his will and his manhood.

Bette Davis gives a fantastic portrayal of Mildred. This was one of her best roles and she ran away with it. Her disgust toward the kind Philip is clear from the onset of their relationship. When she tells him she washes her mouth after he kisses her is one of the most powerful moment in the movie. Leslie Howard underplayed Philip and makes him appear even weaker than he is. Frances Dee, Reginald Denny, Alan Hale and Reginald Owen, are seen in minor roles.

This is Bette Davis show, and don't you forget it!