Of Human Bondage (1934)

User Rating:

7.4/10   

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:

Waitress | Inheritance | Baby | Medical Student | Love Affair

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:

The film that made Bette Davis a genuine star

Quotes:

Mildred Rogers: Anything you want?
Philip Carey: Yes, if you don't mind I'd like to talk to you. Um... filthy weather, isn't it?
Mildred Rogers: Makes no difference to me. I have to be here all day.
Philip Carey: Don't talk like that. I only wanted to say something pleasant.
Mildred Rogers: Well, say it.
Philip Carey: You know you have a lovely smile. You should try using it more often.
Mildred Rogers: Oh, don't go spoofing me. A girl who works hard all day like I do. I don't have much reason to smile.
Philip Carey: Perhaps I could find a reason. Would you let me try?

Movie Connections:

Featured in Going Hollywood: The '30s (1984)

Soundtrack:

Hesitation Blues

Of Human Bondage-Bette Davis At Her Best ****

Outstanding Bette Davis film of 1934. Davis gives one of the best performances imaginable, as Mildred the cockney ed, cocktail waitress, bored and frustrated with life, who unleashes utter havoc to Leslie Howard, who befriends her, in a memorable tirade.

Davis sure proved that she was entitled to outstanding roles after this film. The venom that she let loose at a poor unsuspecting Howard was memorable. How she screamed that he made her sick and how much she hated him. How she tried to wipe away from her mouth any reminders of his touching her, this was truly an amazing display of acting. Ironically, Miss Davis was not nominated for a best actress Oscar here. When she failed to be nominated, she became a heavy write-in candidate. That practice is now barred by Academy rules.

As the victimized suitor, Howard showed the right temperament. Again, he showed himself as an Ashley Wilkes-like character-subordinate and easily dominated.