OF HUMAN BONDAGE (1934)

Cast

Plot

Philip Carey (Leslie Howard), a club-footed medical student, falls for a pretty waitress Mildred Rogers (Bette Davis). To Philip's dismay Mildred does not return his affection, instead she suffers his attentions, while treating him with contempt. As desire leads to infatuation, Philip, ever the gentleman, finds himself on the receiving end of her lies and mockery, but finds it impossible to kick her out of his life. As Mildred's cruel and uncompassionate personality drags her inevitably into the gutter, Philip seems in danger of following her. While the religious overtones are missing from this film version of Maugham's classic semi-autobiographical book, the story of obsessive love and human failings resonates. A great film that boasts two great central performances, the young Bette Davis, in particular, displaying the early promise that was to make her a screen legend.