Directed by:
John CromwellCinematography:
Henry W. GerrardComposer:
Max SteinerCast:
Leslie Howard, Bette Davis, Frances Dee, Kay Johnson, Reginald Denny, Alan Hale, Reginald Owen, Kenner G. Kemp, Frank Mills, Charles Coleman, Tempe Pigott (more)Plots(1)
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. (official distributor synopsis)
(more)Cast
Leslie Howard
UK
Best movies:
Gone with the Wind (1939)
Pygmalion (1938)
The Petrified Forest (1936)
Bette Davis
USA
Best movies:
What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962)
All About Eve (1950)
The Little Foxes (1941)
Frances Dee
USA
Best movies:
If I Were King (1938)
Come and Get It (1936)
Little Women (1933)
Kay Johnson
USA
Best movies:
The Call of the Wild (1935)
American Madness (1932)
Of Human Bondage (1934)
Reginald Denny
UK
Best movies:
Rebecca (1940)
Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House (1948)
Anna Karenina (1935)
Alan Hale
USA
Best movies:
It Happened One Night (1934)
Robin Hood (1922)
Gentleman Jim (1942)
Reginald Owen
UK
Best movies:
Madame Curie (1943)
Mrs. Miniver (1942)
Random Harvest (1942)
Kenner G. Kemp
USA
Best movies:
Singin' in the Rain (1952)
The Best Years of Our Lives (1946)
Limelight (1952)
Frank Mills
USA
Best movies:
Miracle of Fatima (1952)
Limelight (1952)
Fury (1936)
Charles Coleman
Australia
Best movies:
Captains Courageous (1937)
It Started with Eve (1941)
Love Is News (1937)
Tempe Pigott
UK
Best movies:
Waterloo Bridge (1940)
Bride of Frankenstein (1935)
Greed (1924)
Desmond Roberts
UK
Best movies:
Murder Ahoy (1964)
Tarzan and His Mate (1934)
The Count of Monte Cristo (1934)
Harry Allen
Australia
Best movies:
Waterloo Bridge (1940)
Holiday (1938)
The White Cliffs of Dover (1944)
Reginald Sheffield
UK
Best movies:
Random Harvest (1942)
To Each His Own (1946)
My Name Is Julia Ross (1945)
Adrian Rosley
Romania
Best movies:
Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936)
Roberta (1935)
A Star Is Born (1937)