Of Human Bondage (Original screenplay for the 1946 film, presentation copy belonging to actress Alexis Smith)

Burbank, CA: Warner Brothers, 1944. Second Revised Final script for the 1946 film. Presentation copy belonging to actress Alexis Smith, with her initials in decorative gilt on the front board, bound in full calf. Throughout the script are 5 black-and-white film stills on tipped-in leaves, all featuring Smith and costar, Paul Henreid.

Based on W. Somerset Maugham's classic 1915 novel, about a forlorn artist in France who gives up the trade to become a doctor. Philip Cary (Henreid), the artist, meets Mildred Rogers (Eleanor Parker), a waitress, and becomes dreadfully infatuated, in spite of the waitress' complete disregard for him. Eventually the waitress' charms wane and Cary reconnects with a beautiful young writer, Nora Nesbitt (Smith), and their romance flourishes-until Mildred Rogers returns, pregnant and in need.

First adapted to film in 1934, directed by John Cromwell, and starring Leslie Howard and Bette Davis, the novel was also adaptated in 1964 by Ken Hughes, starring Kim Novak and Laurence Harvey, and has been adapted several times for television.

Brown full sheepskin boards with gilt titles. Distribution page present, receipt intact. Title page present, dated 6/22/44, with credits for screenwriter Turney. 179 leaves including black and white publicity photos bound in, mimeograph duplication, with blue revision pages throughout, dated 8/12/44 and 8/29/44. Very Good.