Friday, June 23, 2017

Of Human Bondage (1934)

Of Human Bondage is a 1934 film based on the 1915 novel by W. Somerset Maugham. The book itself is recognized as a masterpiece and can be read online. The book has been adapted for film three times, and this 1934 release is the first.

This film stars Leslie Howard and Bette Davis in the lead roles. Also starring are Alan Hale (senior) and Reginald Owen. All the actors do a fine job, and the film doesn't feel as dated as you might think it would -more like a costume/period drama. I found the characters fascinating.

via Youtube:


The New York Times says, "the very lifelike quality of the story and the marked authenticity of its atmosphere cause the spectators to hang on every word uttered by the interesting group of characters," and particularly praises Leslie Howard. Rotten Tomatoes has a critics score of 78%.

5 comments:

  1. When I think of Leslie Howard, the only thing that comes to mind is the one movie I actually remember seeing he was in. I remember he played Ashley Wilkes in Gone With the Wind. This may be a great read, though, especially since you left a link that allows me to read it online.

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    1. His best movie was The Scarlet Pimpernel, with Merle Oberon. Watch it at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0K9xA0MDjvU A treasure of a movie and one we re-watch. I've lost count of the number of times I've seen it. :)

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  2. Been decades since I have seen this. Leslie Howard broke my heart as a young girl when I watched this the first time. Poor guy--poor dumb guy--LOL! I'll have to watch it again. Love them both as actors. Thanks!! :)

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    1. "Poor dumb guy". Yes! You hit the nail right on the head. Howard was only 50 when he died. I am interested in the conspiracy theories saying he was targeted by the Germans because of the effectiveness working in anti-German propaganda during WW2.

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    2. OMG! I never heard that theory. Interesting!! :)

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