Of Human Bondage (1934)

Editor's Note 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.

	Frances Dee
	Kay Johnson
	Reginald Owen
	Alan Hale
	Bette Davis
	Reginald Sheffield
	Leslie Howard
	Reginald Denny
	William Morgan - Editor
	Van Nest Polglase - Art Director
	Henry Gerrard - Director of Photography
	W. Somerset Maugham - Story
	Carroll Clark - Production Designer
	Pandro S. Berman - Producer
	Max Steiner - Composer
	Lester Cohen - Screenwriter
	John Cromwell - Director

Considered to be the best screen version of W. Somerset Maugham's 1915 novel about a crippled doctor's passion for a lowbrow waitress and the self-destructive romance that follows, John Cromwell's OF HUMAN BONDAGE was the film that spelled stardom for Bette Davis.