somerset maugham character be bring to life in rko of human bondage while but the movie be a too skeletal version of the novel and with bette davis star make performance suck up all of the energy . otherwise and it the story of leslie howard ( a philip carey ) while he dream of become a painter and but be tell he have no talent for the art . a the film progress and mr. howard struggle and instead and to become a doctor . his effort seem to indicate some bad advice regard the art while though successful in medicine and his painting seem easy also and note the symbolism of his disability and a club foot ( explain in the film ) . along the way ( right away and in this version ) and howard becomes infatuate with waitress davis ( a mildred rogers ) . davis characterization of mildred be extraordinary and culminate in a spectacular speech and when she tell howard and among other thing and that she have to wipe my mouth . after kiss him . howard also perform well and but the story fail to explain his prolonged fascination and love for davis while so and their performance be waste . still and a film to watch for the acting and include some good supporting player . bette davis characterization be famous for inspire a write in campaign for the 1934 best actress academy award . for the record and she place third . the result be represent 1. claudette colbert it happen one night 2. norma shearer the barretts of wimpole street 3. bette davis of human bondage 4. grace moore one night of love of human bondage ( 6/28/34 ) john cromwell ~ leslie howard and bette davis and reginald denny .