Bette Davis's performance in "Of Human Bondage" brought her to prominence as a Hollywood star. Davis notes: "It is an interesting fact that most people believe that 'Of Human Bondage' was my first picture although I had made twenty-one films before it."
2
Irene Dunne was the original choice for the role, but after seeing Bette Davis in "Cabin in the Cotton" and "The Rich Are Always with Us," director John Cromwell wanted to cast her instead. Following much pleading on Davis's part, Jack Warner agreed to "loan" the actress from Warner Brothers studio.
3
To help her attain an authentic London accent for the film, Bette Davis hired a Cockney woman to work in her home for two months.
4
Davis remembered: "The first few days on the set were not too heartwarming. Mr. Howard and his English colleagues, as a clique, were disturbed by the casting of an American girl in the part. I really couldn't blame them. There was lots of whispering in little Druid circles whenever I appeared. Mr. Howard... became a little less detached when he was informed that 'the kid is walking away with the picture.'"
5
Although Bette Davis was not officially nominated by the Academy for her performance in "Of Human Bondage", she was the subject of a write-in vote in 1934. After 1934, the Academy disallowed its policy of write-in campaigns. When she won Best Actress for her role in "Dangerous" the following year, the press noted that it may have been an attempt to reward her for her work in "Of Human Bondage."
6
The Catholic Church placed this film on its "condemned list" in 1934.
7
To conform with the MPAA/PCA Production Code, RKO changed the ailment in the film from syphilis to tuberculosis.
8
This film was remade in 1946 as a US production starring Eleanor Parker and Paul Heinreid. In 1955, there was a Mexican version directed by Miguel M. Delgado. Then in 1964, a British remake starred Laurence Harvey and Kim Novak.
9
A Pandro S. Berman production.
10
There is also a computer-colorized version of this film.
11
Additional cast: Desmond Roberts (Dr. Jacobs), Douglas Gordon (Hawker).
12
Additional credits: Ann Coleman (dialogue), Kenneth Holmes (assistant director), William Morgan (editor), Ethel Beach (wardrobe), Tommy Clark (wardrobe).
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