Of Human Bondage **** (1934, Leslie Howard, Bette Davis, Frances Dee, Reginald Owen, Reginald Denny, Reginald Sheffield, Kay Johnson, Alan Hale) – Classic Movie Review 2694

Director John Cromwell’s 1934 romantic drama Of Human Bondage stars the 26-year-old Bette Davis, who after three years in the business finally shoots to stardom as the cold and unfeeling trampy cockney waitress Mildred Rogers, who is desired by handicapped medical student Philip Carey (Leslie Howard).

Davis’s Mildred rejects Howard’s club-footed Carey and runs off with a salesman. But later she asks for his help when she returns unmarried and pregnant. He gets her an apartment and they become engaged, but then she behaves abominably to him with various other men. Mildred: ‘You cad, you dirty swine! I never cared for you, not once! I was always makin’ a fool of ya! Ya bored me stiff. I hated ya!’

This first movie version of the story from W Somerset Maugham’s novel still stands tall on the slightly faded, occasionally overwrought, but still admirable performance by Davis, who landed the role because no major star wanted to play the deeply unpleasant and selfish Mildred Rogers. She is magnetically compelling, histrionic mannerisms and all.

Howard and the rest of the cast are fine too, giving the star sterling support, and director Cromwell does a solid, craftsmanlike job. Also in the cast are Frances Dee, Reginald Owen, Reginald Denny, Reginald Sheffield, Kay Johnson, Alan Hale, Desmond Roberts, Tempe Pigott, Frank Baker, Evelyn Beresford and Adrian Rosley.

Many thought Davis deserved an Oscar, but she wasn’t even nominated. However, she got her revenge the following year when she won for Dangerous.

Of Human Bondage is directed by John Cromwell, runs 83 minutes, is made and released by RKO Radio Pictures, is written by Lester Cohen, based on W Somerset Maugham’s novel, is shot in black and white by Henry W Gerrard, is produced by Pandro S Berman, is scored by Max Steiner, and designed by Van Nest Polglase and Carroll Clark.

Of Human Bondage was remade in 1946 as Of Human Bondage with Paul Henreid and Eleanor Parker and in 1964 as Of Human Bondage with Laurence Harvey and Kim Novak.

© Derek Winnert 2015 Classic Movie Review 2694

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