{ { Infobox film
| name = Of Human Bondage
| image = OfHumanBondage1964.JPG
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = Ken Hughesadditional scenes byHenry HathawayUncredited:Bryan Forbes | producer = James Woolf | based_on = | writer = Bryan Forbes | starring = Kim NovakLaurence Harvey | music = Ron Goodwin | cinematography = Oswald MorrisDenys Coop | editing = Russell Lloyd | runtime = 100 minutes | country = United Kingdom | studio = Seven Arts Productions | distributor = Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer | language = English | released = | gross = $1,750,000 (US/ Canada) }}Of Human Bondage''' is a 1964 British drama film directed by Ken Hughes and starring Kim Novak and Laurence Harvey in the roles played by Bette Davis and Leslie Howard three decades earlier in the original film version. This MGM release, the third screen adaptation of W. Somerset Maugham's 1915 novel, was written by Bryan Forbes from the novel by Somerset Maugham.
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
Kim Novak as Mildred Rogers
Laurence Harvey as Philip Carey
Robert Morley as Dr. Jacobs
Siobhán McKenna as Nora Nesbitt
Roger Livesey as Thorpe Athelny
Jack Hedley as Griffiths
Nanette Newman as Sally Athelny
Ronald Lacey as Matty Mathews
Production
Development
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 for Warner Bros.
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 Glenville was being pursued to direct. In February 1962 Orin Jennings was reportedly writing the script. The following month Harvey said he would make the movie after Running Man. Harvey went to visit Somerset Maugham in France to get the author's advice on how to play the role.
In July 1962 Ray Stark, head 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.
In November Seven Arts announced the director would be Henry Hathaway who 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 today if she had played Of Human Bondage. It would have given her the roles she longed for and which I know she could have done."
In December 1962 it was announced Kim Novak would play the female lead.
Bette Davis was offered a support role that would have taken two days to shoot. She turned it down.
Seven Arts wanted to shoot the move at Ardmore Studios in Ireland. English trade unions insisted their members be brought from England to work on the film. There was considerable unrest involving the union prior to filming.TRADE UNION CONGRESS REFUSES TO CO-OPERATE WITH E.T.U.(I.) Irish Times Reporter. The Irish Times 8 Feb 1963: 1. This led to legal proceedings after the film had been made but did not stop production.