Of Human Bondage [Blu-ray]

Bette Davis became a star with her role in this first and best film adaptation of the Somerset Maughan novel of the same name (well worth a read). This was her first nomination for an Academy Award, for her portrayal of Mildred Rogers; a tawdry, sluttish, cockney waitress who bewitches hapless Philip Carey (Leslie Howard, best known for his role as Ashley Wilkes in “Gone With the Wind”). She lost the award, receiving it for her role the following year for “Dangerous”, which is generally viewed as a consolation prize.The supporting cast includes Reginald Denny, Alan Hale Sr. (father of Alan Hale Jr., who was the skipper on the TV series “Giligan’s Isle”), and a breathtakingly beautiful Frances Dee.The film starts out with Philip, a failed art student with a clubfoot of which he is highly sensitive, turning to the study of medicine after facing the fact that he has no artistic talent. Shortly thereafter he meets and quickly becomes obsessed with Mildred, despite her sneering and obvious disdain for him because of his deformity. Her standard response to his affectionate overtures is a chilly “I don’t mind.” In his dreams Mildred is sweet and kind to him; during real time she uses him, well aware of his affection for her, leaving him for other men and returning when she is down on her luck, ruining his chance for having a career or a normal life with another woman; he seems to continually finds himself inexorably drawn to her, even after his love for her has waned, until the day she finally pushes him too far, and he says, “You disgust me.”With those words, the camera fully turns to Mildred as her facial expression shifts from suppliance to surprise to full-on b**ch in a matter of seconds, and she reacts to Philip’s statement with a barrage of blood-curdling insults. Bette Davis as Mildred never fails to raise the hair on the back of my neck and arms with her performance in this particular scene. Below is a link to hear a very small clip from it; of course to get the full effect you really have to see and hear the film, and this scene especially, in its entirety. This is the role that made Davis a star. It’s also one of my all-time favorite Davis films, along with such others as “The Little Foxes”, “The Letter”, and “All About Eve”.

to be honest i don’t know much about the history of this movie nor the actors that played in it. but i have to say that the story line was very interesting especially for how old this movie is. but man i am infatuated with leslie howard. in this movie he is so sexy to me. i cant get over it lol. and i guess in a way his character was very appealing. i also like bette davis in this movie. like i said i don’t know much about the actors but i really loved the acting and wasn’t bored at all. i was actually very stuck in the movie. I’m telling you I’m going to definitely watch another movie with leslie howard in it hes so fine. definitely recommend this movie to watch.

This is a tale of unrequited love, and the pain and obsession it can cause. I think this is a fantastic film.In the past I’ve had two different DVD versions of this movie, both standard public domain prints, both very difficult to watch due to film and sound problems. I didn’t have much hope for the Kino blu ray, and so I am pleasantly surprised by its quality. It isn’t perfect, but considering the history of this movie on disc, I can’t believe the viewing experience could get much better. I didn’t see any scratches, I didn’t hear any scratches or pops, and there weren’t any overly dark or overly bright moments. I’m glad I stopped waiting for TCM to release their copy and bought the Kino version instead.

Bette Davis is just soooo evil, selfish, conceited and cruel as a low-life British hussy. She is loved, blindly, by Leslie Howard who is needy and (in those days) considered “deformed” with a club-foot. His deformity has created this shy, vulnerable young man. He valiantly studies medicine, as Bette Davis comes in and out of his life – tormenting him and using his love. She even has a child by another man, who then jilts Bette. She returns again to Howard, who takes in Bette and the child. This is a well-acted, pathetic study of love as a form of “human bondage”. It is dated by today’s standards, but riveting to watch.

Bette Davis in one of her finest roles. Classic Hollywood at it’s best.