Of Human Bondage (1934)
Of Human Bondage is a 1934 American drama film directed by John Cromwell, based on the 1915 novel by W. Somerset Maugham. Produced by RKO Radio Pictures, it runs approximately 83 minutes and is widely regarded as the film that made Bette Davis a star. The screenplay was written by Lester Cohen and Ann Coleman, with music by Max Steiner and cinematography by Henry W. Gerrard.
Plot Summary
The story follows Philip Carey (Leslie Howard), a sensitive young man born with a club foot, who struggles to find meaning in life while studying medicine in London. His path crosses with Mildred Rogers (Bette Davis), a coarse and manipulative waitress. Philip falls hopelessly in love with her, despite her cruelty and indifference.
Mildred repeatedly humiliates him, abandons him for other men, and returns only when her fortunes collapse. Philip’s obsession destroys his self-respect and nearly ruins his career. Ultimately, Mildred’s decline—marked by illness and poverty—forces Philip to confront the destructive nature of his infatuation and seek a healthier future with Sally Athelny (Frances Dee), the daughter of a kindly family who supports him.
Cast
- Leslie Howard as Philip Carey
- Bette Davis as Mildred Rogers
- Frances Dee as Sally Athelny
- Kay Johnson as Norah
- Reginald Denny as Harry Griffiths
- Alan Hale Sr. as Emil Miller
- Reginald Owen as Thorpe Athelny
- Tempe Pigott as Mrs. Hollett
Production Notes
- Bette Davis campaigned fiercely for the role of Mildred, which was initially rejected by RKO executives. Her performance—raw, unsympathetic, and emotionally intense—was hailed as groundbreaking.
- Davis’s portrayal of Mildred was so powerful that it led to her first Academy Award nomination (though she did not win).
- The film was shot on a budget of about $403,000 and premiered in the U.S. on June 28, 1934.
- Seymour Hicks, who had played Scrooge in 1935, was considered for a role but ultimately not cast.
- The film’s stark realism and refusal to romanticize its characters distinguished it from typical Hollywood melodramas of the era.
Legacy
Of Human Bondage is remembered as a landmark of 1930s cinema, particularly for Bette Davis’s fearless performance, which broke the mold of glamorous female roles and showcased her ability to embody flawed, abrasive characters. Critics often cite it as the film that launched Davis into stardom, paving the way for her later reputation as one of Hollywood’s greatest actresses.
It remains a classic adaptation of Maugham’s novel, notable for its exploration of obsession, humiliation, and the struggle for self-respect in the face of destructive love.
