OF HUMAN BONDAGE

US, 1946, 107 minutes, Black and white.
Paul Henreid, Eleanor Parker, Edmund Gwenn, Patric Knowles, Janis Paige.
Directed by Edmund Goulding.

Of Human Bondage is the second classic film version of W. Somerset Maugham's novel. It was filmed in the 1930s with Bette Davis and Leslie Howard, updated to the period. It was filmed in 1964 with Kim Novak and Laurence Harvey, able to be more explicit about issues and the 1946 version.

While Paul Henreid (Casablanca, Devotion), is older than the Philip of the book, he is a stronger character than Leslie Howard or Laurence Harvey in the other versions. Bette Davis was praised for her interpretation of Mildred as was Kim Novak who is probably better casting. Eleanor Parker might not be as good as Bette Davis but she is an intense performance, look, accent and all.

The film opens in the late 1890s in Paris, moves to London, the era in which the book was set. It shows medical students, the study, the endings, their social life. Patrick Knowles appears as Philip's friend but is fickle, going away with Mildred.

Late in the film, we are introduced to Mr. Atholney, played with his usual twinkle, (Pride and Prejudice, Miracle on 34th Street), by Edmund Gwen. The oldest daughter is played by Janis Paige.

The film was directed by veteran writer and screengwriter, Edmund Goulding who also directed, the same year, Maugham's The Raxor's Edge. He had directed the Oscar-winning Grand Hotel and Bette Davis in such films as Dark Victory and Old Acquaintance.

While this and might not be the best version of the novel, it is certainly an interesting one.

1. One of the several versions of W. Somerset Maugham’s classic novel? For the 1940s? Comparisons with the 1930s, the 1960s?
2. Setting the film in the time of the novel's action, not updating as in other versions? Paris, 1897? The world of artists? Transition to London, the late Victorian era, its atmosphere? Flats, cafes, homes, hospitals, streets? The feel of the era? Korngold's score?

3. The title, quaint expression, Phillip's bondage, Mildred's? Their speeches about the human condition illustrating the title?

4. The focus and Philip, background, Austrian, his doctor Father? His uncle and the administration of the money? The two years in Paris? Discovering that he was not good at art? But could sketch? His considering the time not a wasted, enabling him to see the reality around? The party, the encounter with Nora, the talk, friendship?

5. London, medical studies, the supervising doctors? Rooming, his friends, their urging him to succeed? Issues of study, reading, examinations, going on the wards, discussing the patients?

6. Harry, his friendship? His lifestyle? The friend taking Philip to the cafe, his reacting to Mildred, Mildred and her laughing raucously with Miller, Philip upset, leaving? Mildred and her surliness?

7. The portrait of Mildred, her age, experience, family background, being a waitress, her self-image, her pride, expectations from her job, her accent and language, her limited horizons, attractive sexually, her laughter, flirting, Miller and his prospects? Philip and his return, discussions, the invitation to the theatre, her dressing up, going, the drink? Refusing for the second some time? With Miller, her returning to London? Philip taking Harry, her flirting with Harry, leaving with him? Her continually returning to Philip? Her pregnancy, the baby, her being on the streets of London? The film's reticence about her pregnancy, invisible? Talk about her being on the streets rather than in visuals? Philip and his kindness, the money, support? His exasperation, her anger, smashing the room? Later in hospital, dying?

8. Philip and the nature of his obsession, the fact that he and Mildred were not a match in class, background, culture? His continually returning to her, discussions with her, love for her despite her going off with Miller, her return? Exasperation with her, her pregnancy, the money, her finally stealing his money, seeing her in the hospital?

9. Philip and his continuing studies, the lack of money, concern, the doctor and his good advice, the friends, examinations?

10. The character of Atholney, the jovial man in hospital, his illness and gout, the interns, advice about not eating meat, his exasperation, talking with Philip, kindred souls? visiting the house, getting on well with the children, with his wife? The meals, the presence, his returning? Sally and her forwardness, but her reticence about Philip, her changing over the years, the friend, no engagement, her hair up, their noticing?

11. Philip, his worries, Christmas, the invitation, Atholney and his going to the flat, discovering Midlred? His presumptions? Philip's skills, his return, reassuring Atholney? The encounter with Sally, a future with her?

12. The title - and the implications for freedom?