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| image = OfHumanBondage1964.JPG
| image = OfHumanBondage1964.JPG
| image_size = 275px
| image_size = 275px
| director = [[Ken Hughes]]<br>[[Henry Hathaway]]<br>Uncredited:<br>[[Bryan Forbes]]
| director = [[Ken Hughes]]<br>'''additional scenes by''<br>[[Henry Hathaway]]<br>Uncredited:<br>[[Bryan Forbes]]
| producer = [[John and James Woolf|James Woolf]]
| producer = [[John and James Woolf|James Woolf]]
| based_on = {{based on|''[[Of Human Bondage]]''<br>1915 novel|[[W. Somerset Maugham]]}}
| based_on = {{based on|''[[Of Human Bondage]]''<br>1915 novel|[[W. Somerset Maugham]]}}
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==Production==
==Production==
[[Henry Hathaway]] began as director but bowed out shortly after production began. Screenwriter Bryan Forbes then briefly tackled the job of directing before the assignment fell to Ken Hughes.<ref>[http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/title.jsp?stid=12957&atid=23296&category=overview ''Of Human Bondage'' at Turner Classic Movies]</ref>

The [[Of Human Bondage (1934 film)|first screen adaptation]] of Maugham's novel, made thirty years prior, starred [[Leslie Howard (actor)|Leslie Howard]] and [[Bette Davis]]. [[Paul Henreid]] and [[Eleanor Parker]] co-starred in [[Of Human Bondage (1946 film)|the 1946 remake]].
The [[Of Human Bondage (1934 film)|first screen adaptation]] of Maugham's novel, made thirty years prior, starred [[Leslie Howard (actor)|Leslie Howard]] and [[Bette Davis]]. [[Paul Henreid]] and [[Eleanor Parker]] co-starred in [[Of Human Bondage (1946 film)|the 1946 remake]].


In December 1961 it was announced that Laurence Harvey would play the male lead in a third screen version of ''Of Human Bondage''. It was to be made in conjunction with [[Seven Arts Films]] with [[James Woolf]] to produce the following year; [[Peter Grenville]] was being pursued to direct.<ref>Of Local Origin
New York Times15 Dec 1961: 46.</ref> In February 1962 Orin Jennings was reportedly writing the script.<ref>Vadim's Sexploits Plumb New Depths: 'Liaisons' Formed With Evil Pair in Music Hall Import
Scheuer, Philip K. Los Angeles Times 22 Feb 1962: C21. </ref> The following month Harvey said he would make the movie after ''Running Man''.<ref>Records in March Broken by Old Vic: Harvey, a Member in 1958, Has Been Running Ever Since
Scheuer, Philip K. Los Angeles Times (1923-1995); Los Angeles, Calif. [Los Angeles, Calif]30 Mar 1962: C19. </ref> Harvey went to visit Somerset Maugham in France to get the author's advice on how to play the role.<ref>Only Proof of Film Is in the Screening: Prophets of Doom Rapped; How Bound Is 'Bondage'?
Scheuer, Philip K. Los Angeles Times 21 June 1963: D9. </ref>


In July 1962 Ray Stark of Seven Arts said he had turned down an offer from a leading female star to appear in the movie on the grounds she was too expensive; he said she would have led to them requiring a further $3 million to break even.<ref>MOVIE PRODUCER DESCRIBES CREDO: Stark of 7 Arts Cites Quick Decisions and Investing Hold the Most Stock Disagree Occasionally
By MURRAY SCHUMACH Special to The New York Times. New York Times (1923-Current file); New York, N.Y. [New York, N.Y]05 July 1962: 20. </ref>

In November Seven Arts announced the director would be [[Henry Hathaway]] who had wanted to make a film of the book for some time. He had tried to make the film four years previously with [[Marilyn Monroe]] and [[Montgomery Clift]] as the leads. Hathaway said "I firmly believe that she [Monroe] would still be alive todayif she had played ''Of Human Bondage''. It would have given her the roles she longed for and which I know she could have done."<ref>Curtis Insists His Films Be Done Here: Jerry Lewis Sought to Play Best Man in 'His and His'
Hopper, Hedda. Los Angeles Times 30 Nov 1962: C11. </ref>

In December 1962 it was announced Kim Novak would play the female lead.<ref>Kim Gets Present: Role in 'Of Human Bondage'
Hopper, Hedda. Chicago Daily Tribune 7 Dec 1962: b14. </ref>

[[Bette Davis]] was offered a support role that would have taken two days to shoot. She turned it down.<ref>'Bondage' Bit Offer Amuses Bette Davis: Star Proud of Polite Refusal; Miss Crowley May Do 'Zenda'
Hopper, Hedda. Los Angeles Times 10 Apr 1963: C14. </ref>

Seven Arts wanted to shoot the move at Ardmore Studios in Ireland.<ref>Ardmore film to be shot in Hollywood?
Irish Times Reporter. The Irish Times 12 Jan 1963: 1. </ref> English trade unions insisted their members be brought from England to work on the film.<ref>AN IRISHMAN'S DIARY
The Irish Times (1921-Current File); Dublin, Ireland [Dublin, Ireland]11 Jan 1963: 8. </ref> There was considerable unrest involving the union prior to filming.<ref>Agreement is reached on Ardmore film
Irish Times Reporter. The Irish Times 19 Jan 1963: 1. </ref><ref>TRADE UNION CONGRESS REFUSES TO CO-OPERATE WITH E.T.U.(I.)
Irish Times Reporter. The Irish Times (1921-Current File); Dublin, Ireland [Dublin, Ireland]08 Feb 1963: 1. </ref> This led to legal proceedings after the film had been made but did not stop production.<ref>FILM STUDIO BREACH WITH TRADE UNION: "Government involved"
The Irish Times 18 July 1963: 11</ref>
===Shooting===
Henry Hathaway arrived in Dublin on 9 February 1983 and filming began later that month.<ref>Director arrives to-day
The Irish Times 9 Feb 1963: 7.</ref> Hathaway quit the film in late March after conflict with Kim Novak. <ref>Hathaway leaves Ardmore film
The Irish Times 30 Mar 1963: 1.</ref> Hathaway said that the time. "I never raised my voice at Kim; she never raised her voice to me. It's just like marriage - sometimes the partners are incompatible."<ref name="henry">DIRECTOR LEAVES BRAY FILM AFTER "INCOMPATIBILITY " WITH KIM NOVAK Irish Times Reporter. The Irish Times 30 Mar 1963: 6. </ref> However Tony Booth who had a small role in the film said Hathaway routinely disparaged Novak's performance and acting ability, particularly her cockney accent; Booth Novak would not go on step, so Ray Stark of Seven Arts fired Hathaway but Hathaway quit.<ref>Booth p 130-133</ref> Novak said Hathaway never complained to her about the actor's accent but said the director "tried to make me into a sexy symbol rather than the complicated person Mildred was. It backfired."<ref name="kim">{{cite book|page=225|title= Kim Novak--reluctant goddess|last=Brown|first= Peter H|year=1986 |publisher=St. Martin's Press }}</ref>

Screenwriter Bryan Forbes then briefly tackled the job of directing while Seven Arts looked for a new replacement. They considered [[John Huston]] and [[Richard Quine]] before deciding on Ken Hughes, who had made ''Trials of Oscar Wilde'' with Seven Arts.<ref name="henry"/>

Ken Hughes arrived in early April. Kim Novak failed to show up on set one morning, going on a 48 hour shopping trip to London, leading to rumours she would be replaced by Elizabeth Taylor.<ref>Kim Novak is not leaving Ardmore film
The Irish Times 3 Apr 1963: 7. </ref> Novak told the press she was unhappy on the film and that while she was willing to honour her contract, she would prefer to leave the film. She said that Hughes was rewriting the script and she was afraid she would have to reshoot scenes she had already done. "Things aren't easy on this film," she said. "There's been a bit of confusion and it's very wearying. Am I happy about things now? No not really. I'dsooner see someone else take over if the whole thing is going to be done again."<ref>KIM NOVAK WANTS TO LEAVE ARDMORE FILM
Irish Times Reporter. The Irish Times5 Apr 1963: 1. </ref>

"I've never worked on a film about which there's been so many rumours," said Hughes. "Most of them are nonsense. Everything is hunky-dory."<ref>''EVERYTHING HUNKY-DORY,'' SAYS ARDMORE DIRECTOR
Irish Times Reporter. The Irish Times 8 Apr 1963: 9. </ref> Novak returned to the film the shoot was completed by June.<ref>FINAL SHOTS IN ARDMOlRE FILM
The Irish Times 15 June 1963: 7. </ref> Booth worked on the Hughes-directed portion and says Hughes did not get along with Laurence Harvey.<ref>Booth p 134-135</ref> Novak said Hughes "was really a case. I tried to talk about the character with him, but he just wasn't interested. He walked around the set constantly pounding a set of bongo drums - you would ask him a question and he would slap the drums."<ref name="kim"/>

Producer James Woolf, a long time support of Harvey's as well as his occasional lover, took an overdose of barituates during the making of the film, but survived.<ref>{{cite book|page=285-288|title= Reach for the top : the turbulent life of Laurence Harvey|last=Sinai|first= Anne|year=2003 |publisher=Scarecrow Press}}</ref>

The film was denied a Production Code Seal due to some brief nudity.<ref>OF HUMAN BONDAGE' IS DENIED FILM SEAL
Special to The New York Times. New York Times (1923-Current file); New York, N.Y. [New York, N.Y]27 Jan 1964: 20. </ref>

Bryan Forbes later sued Seven Arts claiming they owed him £5,000 from a £10,000 acting fee.<ref>Actor claims £5,000
The Guardian (1959-2003); London (UK) [London (UK)]08 Aug 1964: 10. </ref>
==Critical reception==
==Critical reception==
A. H. Weiler of ''[[The New York Times]]'' called the film a "surface, stoic old-fashioned tale" and added, "The pitiful meagerness of heartfelt dialogue, direction and acting, so essential in transporting Maugham's three-dimensional figures from book to screen, is noticeable almost from the start of this largely unemotional drama. These are not classically tortured people who emerge whole and alive on film but are, instead, artificially quaint [[Edwardian period|Edwardians]] who are simply play acting and speaking lines that seem alien to them and the viewer&nbsp;... Laurence Harvey and Kim Novak&nbsp;... seem painfully miscast. Mr. Harvey's portrayal is, at best, a succession of basically vacuous, woebegone attitudes. He appears to be more distracted than heartsick or emotionally undone. One wonders what he ever saw, aside from an occasional physical view, in Miss Novak's conception of the ill-fated, blonde [[Cockney]] whose [[East End of London|East End]] accent and actions are often a laughable [[parody]] of the real articles&nbsp;... Most of the time, this pallid drama constitutes bondage for a discerning observer."<ref>[https://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9406E3DA113BE13ABC4C51DFBF66838F679EDE ''[[New York Times]]'' review]</ref>
A. H. Weiler of ''[[The New York Times]]'' called the film a "surface, stoic old-fashioned tale" and added, "The pitiful meagerness of heartfelt dialogue, direction and acting, so essential in transporting Maugham's three-dimensional figures from book to screen, is noticeable almost from the start of this largely unemotional drama. These are not classically tortured people who emerge whole and alive on film but are, instead, artificially quaint [[Edwardian period|Edwardians]] who are simply play acting and speaking lines that seem alien to them and the viewer&nbsp;... Laurence Harvey and Kim Novak&nbsp;... seem painfully miscast. Mr. Harvey's portrayal is, at best, a succession of basically vacuous, woebegone attitudes. He appears to be more distracted than heartsick or emotionally undone. One wonders what he ever saw, aside from an occasional physical view, in Miss Novak's conception of the ill-fated, blonde [[Cockney]] whose [[East End of London|East End]] accent and actions are often a laughable [[parody]] of the real articles&nbsp;... Most of the time, this pallid drama constitutes bondage for a discerning observer."<ref>[https://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9406E3DA113BE13ABC4C51DFBF66838F679EDE ''[[New York Times]]'' review]</ref>
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==References==
==References==
⚫
'''Notes'''
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
⚫
==Notes==

*{{cite book|title= Labour of love|last=Booth|first= Tony|year=1997 |publisher=Blake }}
==External links==
==External links==
* {{amg movie|35971}}
* {{amg movie|35971}}

Revision as of 09:04, 7 November 2020

Of Human Bondage
Directed byKen Hughes
'additional scenes by
Henry Hathaway
Uncredited:
Bryan Forbes
Written byBryan Forbes
Based onOf Human Bondage
1915 novel
by W. Somerset Maugham
Produced byJames Woolf
StarringKim Novak
Laurence Harvey
CinematographyOswald Morris
Denys Coop
Edited byRussell Lloyd
Music byRon Goodwin
Production
company
Distributed byMetro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Release date
23 September 1964
Running time
100 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish
Box office$1,750,000 (US/ Canada)[1]

Of Human Bondage is a 1964 British drama film directed by Ken Hughes. The MGM release, the third screen adaptation of W. Somerset Maugham's 1915 novel, was written by Bryan Forbes.

Plot

After two unsuccessful years pursuing an art career in Paris, clubfooted Philip Carey decides to study medicine. He meets and falls in love with Mildred Rogers, a low-class waitress who takes advantage of his feelings for her.

When she leaves him to marry another man, Philip falls in love with Nora Nesbitt, a writer who encourages him to complete his studies. Mildred returns, pregnant and abandoned by her husband, and Philip takes her in and cares for her, ending his relationship with Nora.

While staying with Philip, Mildred has an affair with his best friend Griffiths, and when Philip confronts her, she tells Philip she's repulsed by him and walks out.

After earning his degree, Philip becomes a junior doctor at a London hospital. He learns Mildred is working as a prostitute and seeks her out at the brothel where she's living with her ailing child.

He takes the two under his wing, but once again Mildred leaves him. When he finally finds her in a clinic for the indigent, he discovers her child has died and Mildred, in the advanced stages of syphilis, dies in her spurned lover's arms.

Cast

Production

The first screen adaptation of Maugham's novel, made thirty years prior, starred Leslie Howard and Bette Davis. Paul Henreid and Eleanor Parker co-starred in the 1946 remake.

In December 1961 it was announced that Laurence Harvey would play the male lead in a third screen version of Of Human Bondage. It was to be made in conjunction with Seven Arts Films with James Woolf to produce the following year; Peter Grenville was being pursued to direct.[2] In February 1962 Orin Jennings was reportedly writing the script.[3] The following month Harvey said he would make the movie after Running Man.[4] Harvey went to visit Somerset Maugham in France to get the author's advice on how to play the role.[5]


In July 1962 Ray Stark of Seven Arts said he had turned down an offer from a leading female star to appear in the movie on the grounds she was too expensive; he said she would have led to them requiring a further $3 million to break even.[6]

In November Seven Arts announced the director would be Henry Hathaway who had wanted to make a film of the book for some time. He had tried to make the film four years previously with Marilyn Monroe and Montgomery Clift as the leads. Hathaway said "I firmly believe that she [Monroe] would still be alive todayif she had played Of Human Bondage. It would have given her the roles she longed for and which I know she could have done."[7]

In December 1962 it was announced Kim Novak would play the female lead.[8]

Bette Davis was offered a support role that would have taken two days to shoot. She turned it down.[9]

Seven Arts wanted to shoot the move at Ardmore Studios in Ireland.[10] English trade unions insisted their members be brought from England to work on the film.[11] There was considerable unrest involving the union prior to filming.[12][13] This led to legal proceedings after the film had been made but did not stop production.[14]

Shooting

Henry Hathaway arrived in Dublin on 9 February 1983 and filming began later that month.[15] Hathaway quit the film in late March after conflict with Kim Novak. [16] Hathaway said that the time. "I never raised my voice at Kim; she never raised her voice to me. It's just like marriage - sometimes the partners are incompatible."[17] However Tony Booth who had a small role in the film said Hathaway routinely disparaged Novak's performance and acting ability, particularly her cockney accent; Booth Novak would not go on step, so Ray Stark of Seven Arts fired Hathaway but Hathaway quit.[18] Novak said Hathaway never complained to her about the actor's accent but said the director "tried to make me into a sexy symbol rather than the complicated person Mildred was. It backfired."[19]

Screenwriter Bryan Forbes then briefly tackled the job of directing while Seven Arts looked for a new replacement. They considered John Huston and Richard Quine before deciding on Ken Hughes, who had made Trials of Oscar Wilde with Seven Arts.[17]

Ken Hughes arrived in early April. Kim Novak failed to show up on set one morning, going on a 48 hour shopping trip to London, leading to rumours she would be replaced by Elizabeth Taylor.[20] Novak told the press she was unhappy on the film and that while she was willing to honour her contract, she would prefer to leave the film. She said that Hughes was rewriting the script and she was afraid she would have to reshoot scenes she had already done. "Things aren't easy on this film," she said. "There's been a bit of confusion and it's very wearying. Am I happy about things now? No not really. I'dsooner see someone else take over if the whole thing is going to be done again."[21]

"I've never worked on a film about which there's been so many rumours," said Hughes. "Most of them are nonsense. Everything is hunky-dory."[22] Novak returned to the film the shoot was completed by June.[23] Booth worked on the Hughes-directed portion and says Hughes did not get along with Laurence Harvey.[24] Novak said Hughes "was really a case. I tried to talk about the character with him, but he just wasn't interested. He walked around the set constantly pounding a set of bongo drums - you would ask him a question and he would slap the drums."[19]

Producer James Woolf, a long time support of Harvey's as well as his occasional lover, took an overdose of barituates during the making of the film, but survived.[25]

The film was denied a Production Code Seal due to some brief nudity.[26]

Bryan Forbes later sued Seven Arts claiming they owed him £5,000 from a £10,000 acting fee.[27]

Critical reception

A. H. Weiler of The New York Times called the film a "surface, stoic old-fashioned tale" and added, "The pitiful meagerness of heartfelt dialogue, direction and acting, so essential in transporting Maugham's three-dimensional figures from book to screen, is noticeable almost from the start of this largely unemotional drama. These are not classically tortured people who emerge whole and alive on film but are, instead, artificially quaint Edwardians who are simply play acting and speaking lines that seem alien to them and the viewer ... Laurence Harvey and Kim Novak ... seem painfully miscast. Mr. Harvey's portrayal is, at best, a succession of basically vacuous, woebegone attitudes. He appears to be more distracted than heartsick or emotionally undone. One wonders what he ever saw, aside from an occasional physical view, in Miss Novak's conception of the ill-fated, blonde Cockney whose East End accent and actions are often a laughable parody of the real articles ... Most of the time, this pallid drama constitutes bondage for a discerning observer."[28]

Time said, "As portrayed by actress Novak, Mildred giggles a lot and speaks cockney like a girl who learned the sound of Bow bells from somewhere in South Chicago."[29]

TV Guide says, "As the doomed pair, Novak and Harvey are passable, but little more than that. Harvey looks too old for the role, and fails to give his character much life, while Novak, although making a valiant attempt, never conveys enough passion to make her role believable. Further denying any dramatic potential is Forbes' uninspired adaptation of Maugham's novel. Rather than probe the psychological make-up of the characters, the script consistently focuses on superficial motivations with all the emotional intensity of a high-school drama-society production."[30]

The film was condemned by the National Legion of Decency for its sexual content and masochism.[citation needed]

Awards and honours

References

  1. ^ "Big Rental Pictures of 1964", Variety, 6 January 1965, p. 39. Please note this figure is rentals accruing to distributors not total gross.
  2. ^ Of Local Origin New York Times15 Dec 1961: 46.
  3. ^ Vadim's Sexploits Plumb New Depths: 'Liaisons' Formed With Evil Pair in Music Hall Import Scheuer, Philip K. Los Angeles Times 22 Feb 1962: C21.
  4. ^ Records in March Broken by Old Vic: Harvey, a Member in 1958, Has Been Running Ever Since Scheuer, Philip K. Los Angeles Times (1923-1995); Los Angeles, Calif. [Los Angeles, Calif]30 Mar 1962: C19.
  5. ^ Only Proof of Film Is in the Screening: Prophets of Doom Rapped; How Bound Is 'Bondage'? Scheuer, Philip K. Los Angeles Times 21 June 1963: D9.
  6. ^ MOVIE PRODUCER DESCRIBES CREDO: Stark of 7 Arts Cites Quick Decisions and Investing Hold the Most Stock Disagree Occasionally By MURRAY SCHUMACH Special to The New York Times. New York Times (1923-Current file); New York, N.Y. [New York, N.Y]05 July 1962: 20.
  7. ^ Curtis Insists His Films Be Done Here: Jerry Lewis Sought to Play Best Man in 'His and His' Hopper, Hedda. Los Angeles Times 30 Nov 1962: C11.
  8. ^ Kim Gets Present: Role in 'Of Human Bondage' Hopper, Hedda. Chicago Daily Tribune 7 Dec 1962: b14.
  9. ^ 'Bondage' Bit Offer Amuses Bette Davis: Star Proud of Polite Refusal; Miss Crowley May Do 'Zenda' Hopper, Hedda. Los Angeles Times 10 Apr 1963: C14.
  10. ^ Ardmore film to be shot in Hollywood? Irish Times Reporter. The Irish Times 12 Jan 1963: 1.
  11. ^ AN IRISHMAN'S DIARY The Irish Times (1921-Current File); Dublin, Ireland [Dublin, Ireland]11 Jan 1963: 8.
  12. ^ Agreement is reached on Ardmore film Irish Times Reporter. The Irish Times 19 Jan 1963: 1.
  13. ^ TRADE UNION CONGRESS REFUSES TO CO-OPERATE WITH E.T.U.(I.) Irish Times Reporter. The Irish Times (1921-Current File); Dublin, Ireland [Dublin, Ireland]08 Feb 1963: 1.
  14. ^ FILM STUDIO BREACH WITH TRADE UNION: "Government involved" The Irish Times 18 July 1963: 11
  15. ^ Director arrives to-day The Irish Times 9 Feb 1963: 7.
  16. ^ Hathaway leaves Ardmore film The Irish Times 30 Mar 1963: 1.
  17. ^ a b DIRECTOR LEAVES BRAY FILM AFTER "INCOMPATIBILITY " WITH KIM NOVAK Irish Times Reporter. The Irish Times 30 Mar 1963: 6.
  18. ^ Booth p 130-133
  19. ^ a b Brown, Peter H (1986). Kim Novak--reluctant goddess. St. Martin's Press. p. 225.
  20. ^ Kim Novak is not leaving Ardmore film The Irish Times 3 Apr 1963: 7.
  21. ^ KIM NOVAK WANTS TO LEAVE ARDMORE FILM Irish Times Reporter. The Irish Times5 Apr 1963: 1.
  22. ^ EVERYTHING HUNKY-DORY, SAYS ARDMORE DIRECTOR Irish Times Reporter. The Irish Times 8 Apr 1963: 9.
  23. ^ FINAL SHOTS IN ARDMOlRE FILM The Irish Times 15 June 1963: 7.
  24. ^ Booth p 134-135
  25. ^ Sinai, Anne (2003). Reach for the top : the turbulent life of Laurence Harvey. Scarecrow Press. p. 285-288.
  26. ^ OF HUMAN BONDAGE' IS DENIED FILM SEAL Special to The New York Times. New York Times (1923-Current file); New York, N.Y. [New York, N.Y]27 Jan 1964: 20.
  27. ^ Actor claims £5,000 The Guardian (1959-2003); London (UK) [London (UK)]08 Aug 1964: 10.
  28. ^ New York Times review
  29. ^ Time review
  30. ^ TV Guide review

Notes

  • Booth, Tony (1997). Labour of love. Blake.

External links

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