Of Human Bondage(Warner Bros.) (1946)

THE CAST MILDRED ROGERS PHILIP CAREY NORA NESBIT Anthelny Sally Anthelny GrihitnS ar as Dr. Tyrell Dunsford ELEANOR PARKER PAUL HENREID ALEXIS SMITH Edmund Gwenn Janis Paige Sede 5 SRLS eee Patric Knowles Henry Stephenson Marten Lamont Mrs. Anthelny Isobel Elsom Mrs. Foreman ‘Richard Nugent Doris Lloyd PRODUCTION Directed by Edmund Goulding; Produced by Henry Blanke; Screen Play by Catherine Turney from a novel by W. Somerset Maugham; Music by Erich Wolfgang Korngold; Photographed by Peverell Marley, A.S.C.; Art Directors, Hugh Reticker and Harry Kelso; Film Editor, Clarence Kolster; Sound by Stanley Jones; Special Effects by Warren Lynch, A.S.C.; Set Decorations by George James Hopkins; Wardrobe by Milo Anderson; Makeup Artist, Perc Westmore; Musical Director, Leo Forb | SYNOPSIS (Not For Publication) In Paris, Philip Carey (Paul Henreid) is told that he lacks talent and will never be a painter. Hypersensitive, Philip realizes the truth of the statement and returns to London to study medicine. He meets Mildred Rogers (Eleanor Parker), Cockney waitress at a London tea shop, and finds her cheap and rude. But she is a girl of strange magnetism and, despite himself, Philip is drawn back to the tea shop. Later, Mildred breaks a date with Philip in order to see another man, Emil Miller (Richard Nugent). Philip, disgusted, resolves never to see her again. But Philip's work in the hospital suffers and his professor, Dr. Tyrell (Henry Stephenson), shows concern for him. Philip finally returns to the tea shop only to learn that Mildred has left her job and married Miller. The news is a tremendous relief to Philip who plunges back into his studies, making brilliant progress. Nora Nesbit (Alexis Smith), attractive novelist, comes to London to write her next book and soon she and Philip are devoted to each other. Then Mildred returns. Plaintively, she tells Philip of Miller's broken promise to marry her, his desertion, and her pregnancy. Philip, sympathetic, draws away from Nora and devotes himself to Mildred. When the baby is born, he takes them both to the shore. He plans to marry Mildred and go to Paris with her. But when he invites his friend Griffiths (Patric Knowles) to accompany them to a party, Mildred deliberately encourages a flirtation with Griffiths. Philip begs Griffiths to keep away but Mildred reverts to type, turns on Philip and admits to an affair with Griffiths which she intends to continue. Philip leaves, once again plunges into his work and finds a new friend, Anthelny (Edmund Gwenn), at the hospital. Anthelny invites Philip home where he meets Anthelny's daughter Sally (Janis Paige), who falls in love with him. Then Philip runs into Mildred again. She is now destitute and he feels compelled to help her. He invites her to move in with him as his housekeeper. She tries, despite his constant rejections, to employ her wiles with Philip. On Christmas Eve there is a furious quarrel and he rushes off. Mildred, enraged, slashes and breaks everything in sight. Sick in soul, run-down in physical health, Philip succumbs to pneumonia. Dr. Tyrell pulls him through, and it is at the hospital that Philip is brought to see another case marked "Contagious."" The emaciated form is that of Mildred, deathly ill and in a coma. She never comes out of it. Philip learns that her child died a month earlier. Well again, free from Mildred's fatal fascination, Philip asks Sally Anthelny to marry him. Overjoyed, she accepts eagerly. (Running Time: 105 Minutes ) stein; Assistant Director, James McMahon. ‘Of Human Bondage’ At Strand Is Moving Film (Prepared Review) It’s a rare day when a momentous novel achieves the same magnificent stature and dramatic impact on the screen. It is therefore a matter for rejoicing to report this morning that Warner Bros.’ screen adaptation of W. Somerset Maugham’s most celebrated work, “Of Human Bondage,” does just that. Co-starring Eleanor Parker, Paul Henreid and Alexis Smith, the film opened at the Strand Theatre last night as one of Warners’ Gala Anniversary films, released in conjunction with that studio’s celebration of the 20th Anniversary of Talking Pictures. Maugham’s poignant story of a sensitive man’s infatuation for a cheap and dangerous woman makes exceptionally effective and compelling screenfare. Paul Henreid is fast becoming a star of the brightest magnitude. As Philip Carey, he turns in a performance distinguished by rare understanding and depth. Philip is every bit the complex and sympathetic character he was in the book. Henreid is unusually convincing and sincere as the mediocre art student who leaves Paris to study medicine on his meager income. His infatuation for Mildred (Eleanor Parker) and his reactions to the abuses she showers on him are extremely believable. Ordinary superlatives are not adequate to describe Eleanor Parker’s portrayal of Mildred. One seldom sees a dramatic challenge met so capably. The role is most exacting and unsympathetic, for Mildred brings little else but misery to Philip. Miss Parker’s Cockney accent is remarkably authentic and her keen dramatic insight tabs her as an actress who’ll go very far. You’ll never forget the scene in which she flies into a spiteful rage when Philip finally decides to leave her. Alexis Smith’s fine portrayal of Nora Nesbit, an authoress whom Philip befriends in Paris, together with her classic beauty, should add countless new names to her ever-growing list of followers. Edmund Goulding’s deft direction knits the film’s mounting drama into vividly intense and absorbing screenfare. The picture’s supporting cast, of a consistently high caliber, in Still No. 631-600 Janis Paige and Paul Henreid struggle to find happiness in Warners’ "Of Human Bondage," stirring filmization of W. Somerset Maugham's great novel, now at the Strand. Eleanor Parker and Alexis Smith co-star with Henreid in the drama. MAT IH cludes Edmund Gwenn, who lends ‘his characteristic warmth and charm to the role of Anthelny, Philip’s dear friend and confidant; Janis Paige, as Anthelny’s beautiful daughter; and Patric Knowles as_ Griffiths, Philip’s friendly rival. Produced by Henry Blanke, the film was sensitively directed by Edmund Goulding and boasts a fine original score by Erich Wolfgang Korngold.