Of Human Bondage

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The interior life of a natural-born introvert is a tricky thing to convey in any story medium, but perhaps nowhere more than in feature films. Fortunately for this 1934 version of Of Human Bondage (the first of three), the introverted young doctor at the center of the story is played by Leslie Howard, who makes a slack spirit and puppet-of-destiny ennui look like a GQ ad from the age of Romanticism. Howard's character, well liked by peers and facing a promising future, becomes a slave to self-destructive impulse when he grows obsessed with a mercurial, promiscuous waitress (Bette Davis). She stands him up, she lets him down, she sleeps around--basically doing anything she can think of to humiliate the plaintive, puppyish Howard. The good doctor's prospects soon sink... and then sink again and again every time she reappears, usually in dire circumstances, after prolonged absences. Much of Howard's performance borders on monotony, but how many ways can an actor show what it's like to lean against desks and ponder the enigma of himself? At least he looks classy while doing so. Meanwhile, Davis's electric performance, one of her best, gives director John Cromwell's slow pacing a shot in the arm. The supporting cast is very good: Alan Hale, Frances Dee, and Cromwell's then-wife, Kay Johnson, do a fine job helping to fill in the silences. Adapted from the novel by W. Somerset Maugham. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews:

it was enough to make her WIPE HER MOUTH !!!.......2007-09-11

Bette Davis and Leslie Howard star in Of Human Bondage, the screen adaptation of a novel by W. Somerset Maugham. The plot moves along at a good pace and the acting is thoroughly convincing throughout. As others may have told you already, Bette Davis gives a spellbinding, exceptionally good performance as the immoral, petty, cruel and manipulative Mildred Rogers. This is one movie you HAVE to see!

The action starts when Philip Carey (Leslie Howard) returns to London from Paris after realizing that he is not meant to be an artist. Upon his return to his native London, he meets a waitress named Mildred Rogers (Bette Davis). Mildred is colder than ice toward Philip; but Philip has such a low self esteem because of his club foot that he actually believes that Mildred is the best woman he could ever get.

As time goes by Philip truly falls in love with Mildred despite the fact the she never warms up to him. Philip is also taken advantage of by one of his medical school buddies when his friend openly flirts with Mildred when the three of them go out to dinner. Just as Philip is finally about to ask Mildred to marry him, Mildred pulls the rug right out from under him by announcing to Philip that she is engaged to someone else.

Philip is crushed; and for a brief while finds a modicum of happiness with Norah, a much nicer, sophisticated woman and they begin to think of marriage. Just as this develops, Mildred pops back into Philip's life; and Philip impulsively breaks his engagement to Norah.

Of course, the plot thickens very well from here on in. How do Philip and Mildred get along THIS time--she's been rejected by the man she said would marry her. There's a baby, too--how will Philip handle that? Will Norah be able to understand that Philip wants to go back to Mildred? Will Philip be able to financially afford to help Mildred?

Unfortunately for Philip, the complete cycle eventually starts all over again and his new romance, this time with another young woman, is also endangered by his remarkably undying love for Mildred. What happens next could surprise you--will Mildred settle down and finally be the wife Philip has always wanted? Will Philip stay with Sally, his new girlfriend? Will Philip complete medical school after Mildred burns his inheritance money? That alone presents a huge financial problem for Philip.

Believe me, I know it may seem that I've given it all away--but I didn't! This is a great film with plenty more to the plot that will keep your attention very well. The DVD doesn't come with many extras; but with this film you don't need many extras. It stands on its own very well.

Of Human Bondage let Bette Davis prove that she was a great new Hollywood star. Davis uses her face, eyes and speech to convey so much that her performance becomes positively electric. Leslie Howard turns in a fine performance as Philip Carey; and look for good acting from Kay Johnson (Norah) and Frances Dee (Sally) as well.

I highly recommend this film for fans of Bette Davis; and people who enjoy classic movies will not be disappointed.

Of Human Bondage.......2007-04-14

The movie is great. I believe its pre code 1934 not sure what month it was made. This has always been one of my favorite films even as a child I enjoyed the acting and story without fully understanding the relationship between the lead characters.

Unfortunately the film, at least my copy of the DVD is not as good quality as I thought it would be. If they could digitally restore this film it would be even better to watch.

I think this is Bette Davis at her best as a young actress. Leslie Howard evokes a compassionate yet self pitying portrayal of a young man who follows his heart on a destructive path but he cannot let go. Bette is also a self destructive character in never being satisfied with what she has.

This is a must have for early hollywood movies.

Very Poor Quality .......2006-10-05

I can't believe a movie would be released in such poor condition. It looks like an old movie someone took themselves back in the 30's or 40's. The sound is awful and the film is full of cracks and spots, and is so dim, you can barely make it out. This film should be re-done and digitally mastered. It's probably a good film, and I bought it because I really love Bette Davis in most all of her early films, but though I have hundreds of DVD's, many of them old, I've never seen one in such terrible condition. Shame on Alpha Video.

Poor Quality of GREAT film!! .......2006-10-02

I LOVE this film -- but I cannot find it in a good remastered version! Can anyone tell me how or where they have obtained it in a quality remastered edition? I have seen an incredible version on TCM but have now bought this film on DVD three times only to be very disappointed. Douglas M. you say you have a very good remastered version - how or where did you find it? I would go on and on about this amazing film, but right now I just want to find a good copy for my collection! I would give this film a 5+ rating but since the DVD's I have are so bad I have to give the experience of watching it 3. Any help on my quest would be so appreciated!

Antique melodrama with ground breaking performance.......2006-05-13

"Of Human Bondage" is a long novel which is said to contain many biographical elements from the life of its author W Somerset Maugham. RKO filmed many such novels in the early to mid thirties. The films were always literate and slow moving and often directed by John Cromwell. This movie focuses on a section of the novel when the disabled Philip Carey falls in lust with the sluttish waitress Mildred Rogers. For those who have read and enjoyed the novel, the film captures it very well. For those who have not, the film will seem talky and turgid.

Leslie Howard is perfectly cast as Philip but Bette Davis wipes him off the celluloid as Mildred. In 1934, Davis's style, where she acts with every pore of her body, her stance, her eyes and even her inexpert Cockney accent were a revelation which shocked the critics and public. Nothing like this had even been seen before. For some of the audience at the time, the film was considered "dirty" because Davis's character was so repellant and Howard's obsession with her was masochistic.

Cromwell uses a plethora of close ups to study the faces of the cast and it is very effective. There is also a lovely Max Steiner theme which permeates the drama. The film also benefits from a first rate supporting cast. Kay Johnson creates a fully realised character in just a few scenes as a girl who falls for Howard in between his interludes with Davis. There is a memorable moment when she leans against a door and delivers a piece of dialogue which makes your heart bleed. The contrast to the raw Davis is very effective. The young Frances Dee, the girl with whom Howard ends the film, is also very effective and breathtakingly beautiful. The sets also capture the dreary atmosphere of grey England with small cluttered apartments and rain soaked weather.

The climax of the film is the diatribe which Davis delivers to Howard. It still resonates with the power which Davis generates. It is shocking and perverse, an extraordinary scene for 1934 Hollywood.

The DVD print I have has been digitally restored and is by far the best copy of the film I have ever seen and very good, given that the negative of the film has long been lost.

Average customer rating:

Of Human Bondage
Starring: Bette Davis , Frances Dee , Alan Hale , Kay Johnson , and Reginald Owen
Director: John Cromwell
Manufacturer: Delta
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B00008K7AD
Release Date: 2006-02-13

Description

Philip Carey (Howard) is a decent, unassuming gentleman. Mildred Rogers (Davis) is a self-centered, Cockney waitress. Philip's obsessive love for her will undo his chances at happiness, unless he can escape their bond. Bette's breakout role.

Average customer rating:

Great movie, but loses a star or two due to the shabby DVD

Of Human Bondage (B&W)
Starring: Bette Davis , Frances Dee , Alan Hale , Kay Johnson , and Reginald Owen
Director: John Cromwell
Manufacturer: Westlake
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B0009JQ376
Release Date: 2003-01-01

Product Description

Special Features-Biographies, filmographics-Photo Gallery-Interactive menus-Jump to Scene-Dolby Digital

Customer Reviews:

Great movie, but loses a star or two due to the shabby DVD.......2007-06-13

If you take into account when this film was made and that the film medium was still developing its language, you'll likely enjoy "Of Human Bondage". It's well acted and- with its wide array of "let's see what we can do" directorial tricks and flourishes- entertainingly told.

Leslie Howard gives a low-key, effective performance, but it's Bette Davis who really shines. Ms. Davis realized correctly that it should be somewhat confusing to the other characters- and to us- why Leslie Howard's Philip character is so taken with her character, so she grounds her character with a kind of plainness and commonality. But she also realizes that there should be SOMETHING that we as viewers can touch on, so we can at least somewhat understand what is going on inside Philip. So Ms. Davis peppers the plainness of her character with occasional glints of edge, ice, passion, etc., things that a man would notice and be moved by, both in a positive and negative manner. These little glints of uniqueness nicely build to an emotional explosion at the end, so the quiet waitress and schemer doesn't all of a sudden become the bitter harpy who is so memorable at the end. It's a really effective performance, taking into account the future progression of the character right from the beginning.

Now the bad news. This particular DVD of the Bette Davis/Leslie Howard "Of Human Bondage" (the DVD company is called "Westlake") delivers a truly sub-par copy of this historic movie. It's watchable, but- with its faded print and scratchy soundtrack- barely so. There are also several close-ups of written letters in the film, and good luck trying to read them off the faded image.

So that's it in a nutshell. Great movie, lousy DVD. If there's any justice, a better DVD of this movie exists somewhere out there, or at least is on the way.

Average customer rating:

Very Funny; excellent cast
HAS ITS MOMENTS
A Funny DePalma Film

Home Movies
Starring: Nancy Allen , Mary Davenport , Kirk Douglas , Vincent Gardenia , and Keith Gordon
Director: Nancy Allen , and Brian De Palma
Manufacturer: Westlake
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B000066TGM
Release Date: 2002-09-10

Customer Reviews:

Very Funny; excellent cast.......2004-09-23

This was a Brian De Palma film that was made as a school project. So you get to see Nancy Allen before she had made any movies; plus pretty much every other character became famous to some extent. And they are all playing comedy perfectly (which is to act like you are not intending to be funny).

Really different movie, probably would get an R-Rating these days, much like Animal House. Kirk Douglas, the only "official" star, very unusual role for him and he brings a terrific credibility to the film. Very, very nicely done picture. Extremely funny.

HAS ITS MOMENTS.......2004-08-01

Brian De Palma graduated with an MFA from Sarah Lawrence College. A decade later, he returned to Sarah Lawrence to teach filmmaking. "Home Movies" is the final product. This movie is not really De Palma's film, as it was mostly made by his students at Sarah Lawrence. It's interesting as a student project, but it's very low-budget and doesn't add up to much. The movie was shot on location at the Sarah Lawrence College campus. All in all, this movie is for fans who want to see everything Brian De Palma has done or for people who want to see an interesting college filmmaking project or for people who would like to see the Sarah Lawrence College campus on film. (Actually, you don't even get to see much of the campus since the movie basically uses only a couple of buildings.) Anyhow, most people will probably be disappointed. HOME MOVIES easily ranks as De Palma's most minor film.

A Funny DePalma Film.......2003-02-24

If your a fan of Nancy Allen or Brian DePalma, or Keith Gordon you should enjoy this one. It's not the best of Brian DePalma's work, but I fell in love with the humour.This is deminstated in numerous scenes with Nancy Allen. I loves the two scenes when 1. Her hand puppet rabbit comes alive-who didn't laugh at the bit''I'm rabbit and this is toots with the heavenly body, catch us at the pussycat,catch us at the pussycat.2. After she's been out eating hamburgers with Keith Gordons character, her boyfriend gets the scent of something he hasn't smelt in a long time ie( he's only eating health food- he puts her through a series of tests to see if she's worthy of being with him). It's worth a look.

Average customer rating:

Worth A Look
A Wonderful Film for Retro-seekers
Not your average sexy nurse movie!
Very entertaining with talented cast.

The Student Nurses
Starring: Elaine Giftos , Karen Carlson , Brioni Farrell , Barbara Leigh , and Reni Santoni
Director: Stephanie Rothman
Manufacturer: New Concorde
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B00007KK34
Release Date: 2003-03-11

Customer Reviews:

Worth A Look.......2006-06-26

I first saw this movie in 1970, the year it was released. Recently, I saw it again on DVD, and unless my memory is slipping, I think there might have been something left out. It involves the scene on the beach, where the young nurse, played by Barbara Leigh, is tripping on acid. When I saw the movie the first time, I remember she showed pubic hair. I could be wrong because it has been thirty six years, but I don't think I am mistaken. It was one of the highlights of the film. How could I forget that? On the DVD, no pubic hair is shown. Why it would be edited out of an obvious T&A flick is beyond me. Luckily, another scene is left intact. It is a bedroom scene. The nurse, played by Karen Carlson, gets out of bed and walks to the other side of the room. We gat a nice, big view of her bare behind. You can also see a side view of her left breast and also a touch of pubic hair. There are a few more bare breast scenes throughout the film. As for the plot, or plots, the movie is fairly interesting. The acting though, if you want to call it that, is so unbelievably bad, it is almost laughable. Nevertheless, it is a fairly entertaing piece of campiness. If you are looking for a little bit of late 60's, early 70's nostalgia, sprinkled with some nice T&A, this film is worth a look.

A Wonderful Film for Retro-seekers.......2005-08-25

I am a fan of Scottie MacGregor, who is also known as Katherine MacGregor who played "Mrs. Oleson" on "Little House on the Prairie" so when I found out that she was in this film as the Nurses' Instructor "Miss Boswell," I had to buy it and was it ever worth it!!!
The color, direction, music, and sound are terrific and the nurses are very attractive. Though the plot is a little weak, it still gives a wonderful introduction for women who wish to show their independence and liberation from the roles of homemaker and telephone operator. I highly recommend this film to anyone who is interested in the late 1960s and early '70s, you'll truly enjoy it!

Not your average sexy nurse movie!.......2005-08-12

It is almost hard to even equate this film, the first of a series of "Nurse" films produced by Roger Corman in the early to mid-70s, with those that followed. Each film has some appeal to it, but the following films in every case fail to live up to the surprisingly high standard set by this first underrated classic of 70s cinema. Although the film contains all the sex and nudity one would come to expect (and look forward to) in any Corman production, director Stephanie Rothman (never heard of her? believe it or not, she is one of the most prolific female directors in the history of American Cinema despite having only around a dozen films to her credit)handles sex maturely, and in a show-me-yours-I'll-show-you-mine style that never fails to make equal eye candy of the attractive male cast members.

Like many filmmakers that started out in the boot camp of New World pictures and/or AIP (Scorsese, Demme, Howard, Coppolla - bet you've heard of THEM!), Rothman strives to meet her nudity and violence quota amidst a framework sporting pertinent social issues such as racial tension, drugs, abortion, and women in the workforce, and succeeds mightily. The film is serious, but never fails to entertain. The cast is undeniably attractive, and likeable. And the visions of LA circa 1970 are worth the price of admission in and of themselves.

My friend described the film as "a kind of Medium Cool with women," and I'd say that may not be too far off the mark. It is a real shame that Rothman wasn't able to expand into more mainstream features. She had a great eye, and a great knack for expressing humanity on the screen.

Very entertaining with talented cast........2003-10-29

The first of Roger Corman's 'Nurse' films. The print is crystal clear and the sound excellent. The film stars the talented Elaine Giftos as Nurse Sharon Armitage, Karen Carlson as Phred Stella, Brioni Farrell as Lynn Verdugo and Barbara Leigh as Priscilla Kovac. The four likeable leads are supported well by Darrell Larson, Reni Santoni, Richard Rust and Lawrence Casey.
Listen carefully to the voice of the psychiatrist Ronald Gans, whose voice has been heard on many trailers over the years.
The music is good and the locations well chosen. Highly recommended.

Average customer rating:

it was enough to make her WIPE HER MOUTH !!!
Of Human Bondage
Very Poor Quality
Poor Quality of GREAT film!!
Antique melodrama with ground breaking performance

Of Human Bondage
Starring: Leslie Howard , Bette Davis , Frances Dee , Kay Johnson , and Reginald Denny
Director: John Cromwell
Manufacturer: Madacy Records
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00005J75H
Release Date: 2001-05-08

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

it was enough to make her WIPE HER MOUTH !!!.......2007-09-11

Of Human Bondage.......2007-04-14

Very Poor Quality .......2006-10-05

Poor Quality of GREAT film!! .......2006-10-02

Antique melodrama with ground breaking performance.......2006-05-13

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