The interior life of a natural-born introvert is a tricky thing to convey in any story medium, but perhaps nowhere more than in feature films. Fortunately for this 1934 version of Of Human Bondage (the first of three), the introverted young doctor at the center of the story is played by Leslie Howard, who makes a slack spirit and puppet-of-destiny ennui look like a GQ ad from the age of Romanticism. Howard's character, well liked by peers and facing a promising future, becomes a slave to self-destructive impulse when he grows obsessed with a mercurial, promiscuous waitress (Bette Davis). She stands him up, she lets him down, she sleeps around--basically doing anything she can think of to humiliate the plaintive, puppyish Howard. The good doctor's prospects soon sink... and then sink again and again every time she reappears, usually in dire circumstances, after prolonged absences. Much of Howard's performance borders on monotony, but how many ways can an actor show what it's like to lean against desks and ponder the enigma of himself? At least he looks classy while doing so. Meanwhile, Davis's electric performance, one of her best, gives director John Cromwell's slow pacing a shot in the arm. The supporting cast is very good: Alan Hale, Frances Dee, and Cromwell's then-wife, Kay Johnson, do a fine job helping to fill in the silences. Adapted from the novel by W. Somerset Maugham. --Tom Keogh
2.
John Cromwell (THE PRISONER OF ZENDA, THE GODDESS) brings W. Somerset Maugham’s novel and Bette Davis’s career to life with the spellbinding drama OF HUMAN BONDAGE. Having unsuccessfully tried his hand at painting in Paris, Philip Carey (Leslie Howard) returns home to London. Despite his clubfoot, Philip overcomes his awkwardness and pursues a medical career. Still in medical school, he becomes obsessed with a gruff Cockney waitress, Mildred Rogers (Davis), intent on taking him for all he is worth. When Carey discovers that she is dating other men, he attempts to forget her by striking up a relationship with another woman. The effort fails when Mildred returns to tell Carey she is pregnant. Mildred repeatedly leaves Carey in distress but returns to him when she needs money. Eventually, his devotion to her threatens his career ambitions and his chance for future happiness. Davis is spectacular as the repulsive Mildred, while Howard’s quiet, suffering gentleman furthered his own reputation as an outstanding performer.
3.
The love that lifted a man to paradise...and hurled him back to earth again!
Philip Carey (Howard) is a decent, unassuming gentleman. Mildred Rogers (Davis) is a self-centered, Cockney waitress. Philip's obsessive love for her will undo his chances at happiness, unless he can escape their bond. Bette Davis' performance in Of Human Bondage was such a standout that when the Motion Picture Academy failed to nominate her for an Oscar, the ensuing outcry led to the creation of a write-in option on that year's ballot. She came in third and went on to win the Oscar for her role in Dangerous the following year. -Jennifer Krouse
4.
The love that lifted a man to paradise…and hurled him back to earth again!
This film is based on W. Somerset Maugham's classic novel of a young medical student's strange infatuation with a cheap and vulgar cockney waitress (Bette Davis). The infatuation turns into a mutually destructive affair.
This is the film that brought Bette Davis to fame and secured her future roles as a tough, domineering woman. Fine acting by the entire cast, with Davis, an absolute knock-out.
5.
Philip Carey is a decent, unassuming gentleman. Mildred Rogers is a self-centered, Cockney waitress. Philip's obsessive love for her will undo his chances at happiness, unless he can escape their bond.
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